TECNA NOTES

TECNA Highlights - March 2015

Dear Members,

Spring has sprung, and we’re continuing our growth. 31 CEOs participated at last week’s, well-reviewed CEO Retreat (15% increase over 2014). Many thanks to our event host, the Chattanooga Technology Council, and the planning committee! As a result of the conference we’ve also added 29 new turnkey tools to our online toolbox – check them out. Additionally, the 2015 TECNA CEO Salary Survey was distributed. If you’d like a copy, please email me.

The Board had a great meeting prior to the Retreat strategizing ways the TECNA network can increase collaboration, and build on the great regional work, around workforce development. We’ll continue this conversation over the next few months and at the Summer Conference – stay tuned.

Our membership now totals 52! Please help me welcome our two newest members: the Circuit and the Greater Memphis IT Council. If you haven’t updated your staff roster in the new CRM, please do so. Each member CEO received an email with organizational log in information to make these changes.

We’re also growing our social media presence. In just the first few months of 2015, we’ve grown our base by 13%. If you, or your organization, are not following us, please do so @TechCouncils.

This month on an advocacy front, we’ve supported the re-authorization of the Perkins Act and funding for the Regional Innovation Program, as have many tech councils. We’ve continued our ask of tech councils to contact their Senators to co-sponsor the I-Squared immigration bill. See this issue of TECNA Digest for tips and tools for supporting this outreach.

Last, but not least, the Board approved a by-law change that allowed the membership to reappoint and/or elect board members in open positions for the upcoming 2015-17 term at the CEO Retreat Business Meeting. Congratulations to:

Skip Newberry, President, Technology Association of Oregon - Chairman

Julie Huls, President & CEO, Austin Technology Council - Vice Chairwoman

Brooks Raiford, President & CEO, North Carolina Technology Council - Vice Chairman

Kathie Shields, Executive Director, Tech Collective - Treasurer

Kathy Knight, CEO, ICTAM - Director

Richard Nelson, President & CEO, Utah Technology Council - Director

Tino Mantella, President & CEO, Technology Association of Georgia - Director

Doug Robertson, President & CEO, Venn - Director

Tom Hopcroft, President & CEO, MassTLC - Director

Don't forget the Summer Conference is quickly approaching. Be sure to register by the early-bird deadline: June 1. View the most current program and other information.

Looking ahead, we're conducting an open call for 2016 event hosts. If you'd like to be considered for the 2016 CEO Retreat or Summer Conference, please review the host responsibilities and complete this form by May 5.

Best,

Bob Moore, CAE

Executive Director, TECNA

TECNA Member Spotlight - March 2015: Melissa Skazel

Melissa Skazel, Communications Coordinator, ICTAM

Bio: Before ICTAM, I worked for 3 years as a Marketing Assistant at an engineering software company. Using my educational background (Bachelor of Business Administration) and interest in all things technology, it helped me develop a further appreciation and insight into the sector. I’ve only been with ICTAM for three months, but getting to network with other professionals in ICT at events while being creative in marketing with activities such as website and newsletter design is exactly where I want to be at this stage in my career.

 

What is the most notable change that has impacted your members during your tenure at ICTAM? How has ICTAM responded to this challenge/opportunity?

Prior to my hiring, ICTAM was finding it challenging to communicate with our members on a consistent basis. As a result, they were not always as well informed about events, benefits and opportunities as they might have been otherwise.  Since I joined ICTAM, we’ve been able to send out regular newsletters, event alerts and other relevant communications in a consistent and timely fashion.  As a result, our member engagement has increased and our members have been calling to ask how they can get more involved. 

 

What is one program you’re most proud of at your organization? Why?

Every April, ICTAM holds an evening of networking, engaging entertainment, and fine dining, called “The Innovators”. The 400 people in attendance get to watch an informative conversation between a big-wig in the ICT industry and a well known TV host.  It’s been exciting to be involved in the planning and promotion of this big event, and seeing everything that is required to pull an event of this stature off successfully.

 

Name one way you’ve changed your work based upon something not going as well as you hoped the first time?

Keeping up with members regularly is key: making sure that they are up-to-date with all of your events (as well as partner and member events), sending member survey’s to get fresh opinions, and giving them a common space on your website to submit their information, helps them feel that they are getting the most out of their membership.

 

Name one tool, website, app, etc that you find very helpful professionally.

Photoshop. When you need a quick banner ad made, or logo resized, it’s pretty much impossible without a great editing program. Once you get the hang of using it, you can avoid using graphic design agencies for the smaller jobs.

 

When you’re not working diligently on behalf of your members, what do you do for fun in your spare time?

Other than spending quality time with my family and friends, you can usually find me at a local concert, on a downtown patio, or on a road trip with friends to summer festivals across Canada.