TECNA - Thriving in Challenging Times, 2009 Summer Conference

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.

 

Details about the 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 the opening reception greeting here:

 

 

 

 

DAY ONE

WELCOME
By the TECNA Executive Committee and Greeting by:
Canadian Consul General, Dale Eisler

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

I have so many great pictures from the DBG, you can see them on our online community - www.technologycouncil.ning.com

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!

Comments

[iain klugman]

Hi Paige,
when will the presentations be posted?
thanks. Iain