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MITX Highlights Massachusetts Government Open Data Initiative as an Innovative Model to Watch

The event will feature the announcement of the winners of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Developers Real-Time Challenge, an opportunity for innovators to create real-time applications and physical installations using a MBTA data feed. These products provide MBTA bus riders with a real-time answer to the question "Where's My Bus". Third-party developers have built more than a dozen iPhone and Android applications, websites, phone services, text services, and LED signs since the data feed was released in November. Winners will receive a $500 prize for "Best Application" and "Best Installation."

"Our open data initiative provides residents with the information they need as they go about their daily lives," said Governor Patrick. "By making government data available and transparent, we can engage residents in their communities and make the Commonwealth a more attractive place to work and live."

The Patrick-Murray Administration has made Massachusetts a leader in engaging the public through open data and the use of social media. Foremost among these efforts is the MassDOT Developers Initiative, which began in July of 2009. Not only has MassDOT opened up much of its data in formats that can easily be used by the public to develop websites, mobile applications and more, but they've encouraged use of their data and collaborated with software and web developers through social media tools like Twitter and blogs and through in-person meetings and conferences.

The event will also highlight the strides that Massachusetts has made in opening up data in other areas of government, through its www.mass.gov/data website and will encourage residents, developers and businesses to collaborate with the state on future open data projects.

The event will be a valuable resource for digital marketers, iPhone enthusiasts, interactive and mobile designers and analysts.

"We are honored to host this event with the governor's office," said Kiki Mills, president of MITX. "Being involved in such a groundbreaking initiative highlights the importance of companies in the digital sector, as the need for applications that put public data to work for us, expand."

About MITX

The Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX) is the region's premier professional organization for the Internet business and marketing industry. Reaching more than 7,500 professionals in New England, MITX is the community for thought leadership, building business relationships and professional training and development. Members of the MITX community take advantage of events, sponsorships, speaking opportunities and networking to make business connections and exchange ideas. With more than 60 events annually, MITX provides its members with the opportunity to promote their companies to targeted audiences and provides a valuable forum for networking to source potential business leads, partnerships, ideas, funding and other likeminded peers in the industry. MITX is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. Visit MITX at www.mitx.org.

MITX
Jessica Winston, 617-871-2155 x208
jessica@mitx.org
or
State of MA
Cyndi Roy, 617-727-2040
Cyndi.Roy@state.ma.us