David Martin honored by British Education Suppliers Association
CALGARY, Alberta --- MARCH 24, 2007 --- SMART Technologies Inc. announces that company co-founder and executive chairman, David Martin, has received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Education Suppliers Association’s (BESA) annual Education Resource Awards event. Honored at a gala dinner and awards ceremony held Friday, March 23, in Birmingham, UK, David Martin was recognized for his contribution to education as the inventor of the interactive whiteboard. Now in their ninth year, the Education Resource Awards acknowledge the quality and diversity of education products and resources, excellent education establishments and the most dedicated members of the teaching and supplies industry that work together to encourage the very best in education. At the ceremony, SMART was also a finalist in the Innovation Award category for its SMART Board™ 600i interactive whiteboard system.
In announcing the 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award, Ray Barker, director of BESA says, “David Martin can truly be said to have changed the nature of education. He launched the very first interactive whiteboard in 1991, and since then has led the development of additional innovative products that make learning exciting, and teaching more dynamic and easier. The judges believe that his achievement in changing the nature of what happens in classrooms all over the world should be acknowledged.”
Martin Large, group CEO of Steljes Ltd., SMART’s UK distributor, says, “David Martin’s absolute belief in the power of technology as an enabling force is a true inspiration for the next generation of entrepreneurs wanting to make a difference with technology.”
“BESA and its members are key players in the education field as education leaders in the UK and around the world embrace ICT, collaborative tools and digital content,” says David Martin. “On behalf of everyone at SMART, I’m pleased to receive this award from an organization that shares our passion for education.”
About the SMART Board interactive whiteboard
Twenty-one years ago, SMART’s executive chairman and co-founder, David Martin, conceptualized the SMART Board interactive whiteboard – the first and most widely installed interactive whiteboard in the world. In 1991 the first generation of SMART Board interactive whiteboard was introduced. Currently in its sixth generation, the SMART Board interactive whiteboard line has expanded to include larger models and models integrated with projectors. Today, SMART is recognized worldwide as an innovator of award-winning technology products and software for people who meet, teach, train and present.
About BESA
BESA is a trade association with over 300 members, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital content – all for the education market. BESA members supply products to UK and international markets, across the curriculum and at all levels.
About SMART
SMART Technologies Inc. is both the industry pioneer and global education market-segment leader in easy-to-use interactive whiteboards and other group collaboration tools. The award-winning SMART Board interactive whiteboard is the most widely installed interactive whiteboard in the world. Many school jurisdictions have standardized on the product, which is used to provide interactive learning opportunities and enhance student achievement. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard is used to teach over 15 million students in more than 450,000 classrooms spanning every U.S. state, every Canadian province, every Local Authority in the UK and in more than 100 countries worldwide. SMART products also include interactive response systems, interactive pen displays, interactive digital signage, wireless slates and software. Using SMART products, teachers can access and share the information they need to improve student learning outcomes and streamline lesson planning. SMART’s education customers include New York City Board of Education (U.S.), Oxford University (UK), Kobe City Board of Education (Japan), Barnier Public School (Australia), University of Ottawa (Canada), United World College (Singapore), Stephen-Hawking-Schule Neckargemuend (Germany), Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (U.S.) and Harvard University (U.S.).
SMART is a private company founded in 1987. Employing more than 900 people, SMART is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with assembly facilities in Ontario, and offices in Bonn, Tokyo, Shanghai, New York City, Chicago and Washington, DC. SMART has been issued and maintains a broad portfolio of patents with numerous U.S., Canadian and other patents pending. In 1992, SMART formed a strategic alliance with Intel® Corporation that resulted in joint product development and marketing efforts, and Intel’s equity ownership in the company. SMART products are sold through dealers across North America and distributors worldwide. To learn more about SMART as a company as well as SMART products and programs visit www.smarttech.com and www.education.smarttech.com.
