Let me start this month's newsletter by wishing you a Happy New Year; I hope you are as excited about 2005 as I am. After reviewing my predictions in last year's January newsletter, I am happy to report that I was correct in my predictions, of course you'll have to verify that for yourself. Anyhow, let me once again offer my predictions for 2005.

For Region 2000: I predict that the Technology Council, the Economic Development Partnership, the Regional Commission, and the Workforce Investment Board will officially unite under the umbrella organization of Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership, I predict that Research and Development and Higher Education opportunities will become a pressing issue, and lastly that businesses here will have a great year gaining new customers and expanding to offer new, high paying jobs.

For Tech Geeks Everywhere: I predict that Apple will be the thing to own, and yes I am talking about an Apple computer, I predict that the much anticipated new Windows operating system Longhorn will actually be 100% Linux (oh, we could only wish), and lastly I hate to predict this, but spam will finally take over to the extent that we'll all have to go back to snail mail and using the telephone. Well, that's all from the Tech Council prognosticator. Let's have a great new year and I hope to see you at our next Wired Wednesday meeting on February 16 if not sooner,
 

Jonathan Whitt, Executive Director

February 16 - Noon at the Holiday Inn Select, Downtown Lynchburg

Join us for our February Wired Wednesday luncheon. The topic will be "Super Charging Regional Innovation" with guest speaker, Mr. Bill Guzek, President of the Region 2000 Technology Council and Project Director for the Center for Advanced Engineering and Research. Mr. Guzek will give an overview of the plans underway to create a center for research and development in Region 2000.

The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) will serve as a catalyst for companies in the region to use to tap into the research being conducted at the major Virginia Universities as well as a resource to tap into the business, economic, and science expertise of local colleges. Specific centers of applied research and engineering will be formed based on regional growth industry clusters. CAER is a joint effort by the Center for Advanced Engineering, Region 2000 Economic Development Partnership, Region 2000 Technology Council, Region 2000 Regional Commission, Central VA Industries, and Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology.

The cost is $10 per person for members, $15 for non- members and includes a buffet lunch. RSVP's to rsvp@r2ktech.org are greatly appreciated. Wired Wednesday's are great networking opportunities, so don't miss it.

January 24 - The State Library, Richmond

As a member of the R2KTC, you are also a member of the Virginia Technology Alliance. The 2005 VTA Legislative Reception will be held from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. on January 24'th at the State Library on Broad Street. The State Library provides one of the most elegant and unique reception venues in Richmond.

The Legislative Reception is designed to give statewide technology business leaders an opportunity to meet and talk with decision makers from the Legislative and Executive branches of our state government. In recent years, attendees have included the Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Speaker of the House, Science and Technology related Committee Chairs, Cabinet Secretaries, Agency Heads, and dozens of Delegates, Senators, and government officials. In 2004, more than 250 statewide business leaders were in attendance.

The Virginia Technology Alliance provides a legislative voice for the Commonwealth's tech industries and promotes an agenda of technology, education, and economic development initiatives. For further information contact us or visit this link.

January 14 - Danville

You are invited to this free DOD SBIR/STTR Workshop for Technology Entrepreneurs from 9:30 AM-4:00 PM at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research located at 150 Slayton Ave. in Danville. Overview and insight into DOD and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and details about their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award programs, the most important sources of early-stage R&D financing for Virginia's technology entrepreneurs. SBIR/STTR overview by Ms. Connie Jacobs, DARPA SBIR/STTR Program Manager. Course instruction by the SBIR Resource Center. For further information click here.

Central Virginia Governor's School internship program has a 20 year history with Virginia's Region 2000 organizations. If you've been involved as an intern sponsor or served as a mentor to one of the students, you understand the win-win opportunity. Students learn state of the art technology and business operations, assist with assigned projects and get a head start toward a future career. Cost to you? nothing... only the time you devote to mentoring the student. Dates: February 18th through May 20th (12 Fridays) 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Lindeman, Partnership Coordinator, at CVGS this week, by January 7th, clindema@cvgs.k12.va.us phone 434-582-1104 or click here.

Free Information Lifecycle Management Seminar - January 19, Forest
Fueled by corporate compliance regulations, the requirements for storage growth have increased. The challenge- matching storage systems to meet application requirements. Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) is a strategy for aligning your IT infrastructure with the needs of your business- based on information's changing value. Join us and learn ways to plan, build and implement an ILM strategy. Since some information is more valuable to your business than others, industry experts will cover sound strategies that enable you to deliver tiered protection. More...


2005 Technology Council Awards Banquet - May 19, Lynchburg
Save the date for our annual awards night at the Radisson Hotel. More details soon...