Region 2000 Technology Council Newsletter
Greetings and happy new year! So, what are your resolutions
this year? Lose weight, gain weight, exercise more, make
more time for family? Yeah, yeah, yours are the same as
mine...so how about trying this one - how about getting more
connected in the Tech Council? A little history is in order
I suppose.
The Council will celebrate our fourth birthday this
summer. Year one was about figuring out whether we needed a
council and what we would do. Year two, we hired a director,
me, to organize the group and start hosting events. Year
three was about expanding the organization and getting by-in
from the business community. Year four, we executed several
initiatives geared towards assisting the region's economic
development strategy. So what about this year? Funny you
should ask.
Over the past few months we have been preparing for the
future, and no I don't mean just this year or next; I am
talking the next decade and beyond. I strongly believe we
are at a place where we should be focusing our energies on
activities that yield results beyond the here and now. With
that said, you are going to see some changes this year.
The Tech Council, the Economic Development Council, the
Local Government Council and the Workforce Investment Board
have come together to form the Virginia's Region 2000
Partnership. While each organization will maintain it's
focus and organizational structure, we are agreeing to work
together and market ourselves in a close working
relationship. The Partnership has formed a steering
committee with representatives from each of our boards
that's sole focus is on guiding our collective efforts
towards collaborative projects that focus on future oriented
results. For starters, we will be focusing on activities
that bring more attention to the quality of life we have in
the region and the desire to see higher paying jobs created
in here, a better prepared workforce for technology based
jobs, a pipeline of young people prepared for the jobs that
are now available and those that will be created here, and
continued cooperation between local governments.
You are also going to see a new look for our website,
newsletter, and other marketing materials very soon; one
that ties these four organizations closer together. So
what's your role? I promise to let you know in next month's
newsletter. In the meantime be thinking about freeing up
some time in your schedule each month to either sit on a
Tech Council committee or attend our events. Until then,
Jonathan Whitt, Executive Director
January Wired Wednesday Luncheon
DATE CHANGE
Join us at noon on January 25 for a presentation by
Bill Guzek, Project Director for the Center for Advanced
Engineering and Research. The CAER's objective is to
establish a University focused center in Region 2000
directing research in support of area companies. Exciting
things are underway; come hear this important update and how
the CAER will have an impact on your business.
Our Winter Wired Wednesday will be held at the Holiday Inn
Select in downtown Lynchburg from noon until 1:30 p.m. The
cost of admission is $10 per person for Technology Council
Members ($15 for non- members) and includes lunch. Seating
is limited; please RSVP to rsvp@r2ktech.org or by calling
the Region 2000 Technology Council at 434.847.1447. Wired
Wednesdays are great networking events!
VPTC Questionnaire
Information Technology
The Virginia Piedmont Technology Council (VPTC) is
conducting a survey in the Central Virginia region to
determine issues and concerns for businesses related to
information technology (IT).
Information gathered from this survey will guide VPTC in
developing their programs on issues of interest to IT
companies. If you are a manager involved in any area of your
organization in which IT has an impact, we appreciate your
participation in this 16-question, 3-minute or less survey
no later than January 13, 2006.
Intellectual Property Seminar
January 19 - Roanoke
Woods Rogers PLC is offering a 2.5 hour seminar at the
Roanoke Higher Education Center on Intellectual Property,
What Every Business Needs to Know about IP. The cost is $35
per person and includes an IP Handbook. For more information
or to register,
click here.
