Thriving in Challenging Times, The Critical Role for Technology Enabling Organizations In Re-Building the North American Economy, Denver, CO August 5-7, 2009
More than 40 people attended this year's summer conference which explored the role of technology councils in their region’s technology ecosystem, supporting technology companies, entrepreneurship, and tech-based economic development, in their states and provinces, regionally and nationally.
The audience learned about the National Renewable Energy Lab’s efforts in advancing green technology; heard presentations on supporting second stage companies “gazelles” and building creative regional economies; and a challenge to improve the state of VC and Angel financing was made. Opportunities for aquiring stimulus funding was discussed and tips for managing a non-profit and best practices for Web 2.0 for creating community were shared. In addition to the speaker presentations, the audience had an opportunity to network with each other and guest speakers.
Thanks to the Colorado Software Industry Association (CSIA) for being the TECNA member host for this summer’s conference.
OPENING RECEPTION
Attendees included: CO CIO Michael Locatis, TECNA attendees, CSIA Staff and Board of Directors, CEO and CIO members of CSIA; and TECNA sponsors. Watch a selection of the opening reception greetings here:
DAY ONE
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
The Edward Lowe Foundation
Topic: Thinking about Stage II Companies in Difficult Economic Times. Included overview of website: www.yourEconomy.org (very useful for Economic Development Agencies and Orgs.!
Speakers: Penny Lewandowski, Director of Entrepreneurship Development and Mark Lange, Executive Director, Edward Lowe Foundation
BREAKOUT SESSION A
TECNA CEO Scrum, and Senior Staff Idea Exchange - Best Practices on topics such as: events, operations improvements, fund raising efforts, website enhancements, etc. that have proved to be successful.
LUNCH and PANEL DISCUSSION
sponsored by Robert Half Technology
The Most Common Mistakes Managers Make in an Uncertain Economy
Presentation by Dave Wilmer, Executive Director, Robert Half Technology
Download Thursday August 6 Lunch RHT Common Mistakes (TECNA) 2 0 Slides
BREAKOUT SESSION B
TechAmerica MOU Next steps - Following through and developing the new relationship: dealing with TA councils, creating a working relationship for public policy.
Senior Staff Stream- Surveying members
AFTERNOON ACTIVITY
Briefing at the National Renewable Energy Lab - Private tour and presentation on federal interest and global implications for renewable energy and how technology companies can take advantage of the national and global trend toward new energy economies. Pictured here is the solar research facility at NREL.
TECNA DINNER
At the Denver Botanic Gardens, sponsored by ReadyTalk and ViaWest
Brian Vogt, CEO at the DBG welcomed TECNA and spoke of the many projects underway at the Gardens.
Panel Discussion: Creating the Grass Roots to Global Technology Community
Speakers included: Dan King, CEO and Co-founder, ReadyTalk and a ViaWest representative,
Panel Speakers: Chris Hansen, Kate Rubin, Tino Mantella, Penny Lewandowski Moderator: Matthew Nemerson
Pictured here: Brian Vogt, CEO, Denver Botanic Gardens and our
TECNA host: Su Hawk, President of Colorado Software Industry Association
DAY TWO
The Big Perspective: why entrepreneurship is important, Speaker: Brad Feld, Early Stage Investor and Entrepreneur & Founder, The Foundry Group
WEB 2.0 - The New Tools of Communications
Online communities and social networks. Presentation by Mike Adkinson, Founder & Pointman,
TechLINKS Media
BREAKOUT SESSION A
Keeping the Lights On - Tapping into new financial resources when traditional sources
have dried up
and
Supporting All of your Members - Supporting all your customers: start-up, stay-up, and grown up
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Building Creative Regional Economies
Speaker: Louis Musante, Founder & President, Echo Strategies
Viral Strategy Marketing 2010 - Speaker: Natasha Netschay Davies of www.Moonrakerweb.com
Getting your Fair Share
Getting your firms their fair share of the stimulus wave
TECNA Business Meeting and 2010 Plans
2010 conference cities & formats, fly-in, pubic policy, the new web site, membership and finance reports. Final Networking and good-byes
After Hours - Just for Fun
We capped off the conference with a reception at the Molson Coors Tap Room hosted by the CIO of Molson Coors and a great view of the Rockies!
And had some more fun at the Rockies – Cubs baseball game. Rockies won!
I have so many great pictures from the DBG, you can see them on our online community - www.technologycouncil.ning.com
