Sussex is one of the busiest new media clusters in Europe and last week e-entrepreneurs joined forces in Brighton.
More than 200 animators, web designers, games programmers and communications experts from across the fields of new media attended an event to promote the industry and form new partnerships.
Wired Sussex and Beyond Bricks, a Government-backed internet mentoring initiative, organised a showcase event for companies across the South-East at the Brighton Hilton.
The conference was followed by a networking evening at Alfresco's seafront restaurant.
Wired Sussex executive director Emily Aitken said: "We have more than 600 new media companies in Sussex and we have developed a strong brand for the area.
"Networking underpins all we do and we can punch above our weight by working together to plug into new markets.
"Wired Sussex has been recognised for its work at bringing together new media companies in the county. It is important to celebrate our achievements and think about how to move forward."
Four Sussex-based companies shared their success stories with delegates and spoke of the benefits of being located in the Sussex cluster.
Carl Jones, executive producer for Brighton-based games development studios Wide Games and Wide Sound, said: "There's a sense of community between Brighton businesses and a wealth of talented local people with specialist gaming skills.
"We all work together and talk about projects in a way you don't see in London. At the moment, we are collaborating with Brighton-based web and TV production companies to prepare bids for new work."
Beyond Bricks project leader Charlie Hoult said the industry needed to be ready to deal with the impact of dot.com downturn by working together to meet the challenges ahead.
He said: "The internet boom is a wave not a bubble. The tide will come back in and technology businesses will ride back with it.
"The area covered by Wired Sussex represents some of the most inno-vative new media companies in Europe.
"By taking the time to form links with like-minded companies across the UK, this activity in the South-East can become even stronger."
Beyond Bricks has received more than £5 million from the Government to develop a "network of networks" and is working in regions around the UK to foster business partnerships.
An information portal for internet entrepreneurs has been set up to provide a virtual setting for online networking.
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