Inclusion, support and knowledge-sharing have been key values in the success of Waterloo Region’s tech community: values that Communitech, MaRS Discovery District and the National Research Council of Canada are proud to share as they bring technology associations from across North America together for the now sold-out Enable-U event.

 Over 90 people from organizations as far away as British Columbia, Connecticut, Illinois, and Pennsylvania will converge on Waterloo on March 23-34 for two days of how-to workshops on building tech ecosystems, cultivating silicon economies and the old-fashioned art of blending handshakes, encouragement and expertise.

 Sponsors for the event include Communitech, The Accelerator Centre, MaRS Discovery District, the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), and the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA).   Thanks partners! 

Building a ‘Community of Communities’

 Success stories and lessons learned from across the continent will be shared, including the ingredients of Communitech’s own ’secret sauce’; a formula that seen it grow from 50 members to over 700 in 13 years while developing an infrastructure that connects growing organizations to expertise via its Executive-in-Residence (EIR) program.

Shared success is good for everyone in the broader tech community throughout North America, and Enable U’s sponsors are committed giving each and every EnableU attendee a ‘Tech Ecosystem MBA’ to bring back home.

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We kicked off our “official” (not counting our date with The Woz) 2009-2010 event season last week with a Connect event at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Why the Food Bank? It gave us an opportunity to showcase a much-needed not-for-profit.

Carol Leaman from the Food Bank’s BOD was kind enough to give the tech folks gathered last week some information on how vital the Food Bank is, and how you (or your firm) can help. Here’s a summary for those of you who missed the event:

• over 25,000 people in Waterloo Region use emergency food services
• 3 million pounds of food is distributed each year
• half of all emergency food recipients are children
• the Food Bank ALWAYS needs food – not just at Christmas or Thanksgiving
• donations of food or cash have a direct, day-to-day impact on our community
• every $1 donated to the Food Bank generated $8 of food. (Really good ROI.)
• the Food Bank’s Fall Food Drive is September 28th – October 16th this year.
• you (yes, you) can volunteer – sort food, organize a drive, be a driver. There are lots of ways to get involved.
• your firm can organize a team building event at The Food Bank. It’s a great way to support your culture while doing some good. (How about a Team Sort n’ BBQ event?)

I encourage you to visit the Food Bank Web site, call 519.743.5576 or email info@thefoodbank.ca to find out how you can give back to the people of Waterloo Region.

- Iain

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We’ve identified the need to continue to support talent acquisition and retention within the community. There remain a significant number of hard-to-fill positions, so we’re exploring ways we can support our members’ efforts to get the right people into the Region. We’ve also been thinking about how we can build our support capacity, so we’re helping firms at all stages and as they move through the different stages of company development from start-up, to second-stage, to enterprise.

Some of the events you won’t want to miss include:

• Our first Techworking Breakfast on September 16th. Our speaker is John Baker, CEO and Founder of Desire2Learn. It’s our first of the year and we expect a great turnout, so register ASAP. A list of our other Techworking events is here.
• Entrepreneur Week - a week to celebrate the innovators that have built this region into a world-class tech centre!! Save this date:  November 16 – 22 and stay tuned to the Communitech Blog and our Web site for more information on speakers and sessions.
• Business & Technology Lunch Forum provide opportunity to make new business contacts and learn from high-profile guest speakers with topics focused on ways to strengthen and grow your business. Our 2009-2010 is online at the above link.

Looking forward to a great 2009-2010 season and hope to see many of you out at our events this year!

- Iain

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Thanks to our friend Tim Scissons, we’re thrilled to announce that Steve Wozniak will be in Waterloo Region and speaking at the Communitech Breakfast on August 17th.  Not that he needs an intro but as reminder, he was Apple co-founder, father of the PC and has been one of the most influential and colourful innovators in technology history.  No dancing planned.

Here’s the details: 8:15 am Registration and Breakfast 9:00 am Keynote speech with Steve Wozniak 10:30 am Q & A Registration is at www.communitech.ca - Iain

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Yet another Star article – this one focused on the global financial and economic implications of technology penetration in new markets. It’s a positive message, citing technology as a dominant force in driving economic recovery.

The new markets are not entirely as surprise (save, one: Brazil) and they are importing ICT at a tremendous rate. The OECD Technology Outlook 2008 (highlights report) notes “Non-OECD economies make up over 20% of the global ICT market, with ICT spending in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Russia all growing in 2003-07 at more than 20% annually in current terms.” Government efforts to increase Internet and wireless connectivity in these countries are driving this trend. And that’s good news for goods-producing high tech firms.

I only see one looming caveat: “Around 50% of ICT goods production now comes from non-OECD countries, and these countries, notably China and India, are increasingly the home of top ICT firms.” (ibid.) Once the recession is over and consumer demand for inexpensive goods from China and India increases again… . Let’s just say NOW is a good time to work on customer relationship, new deals and retention.

As with most things, however, I’m inclined to look at the whole thing as positive. The opportunity for service-delivering high tech firms will increase as world markets grow. Goods-producers like RIM will have new markets to tap. Talent from overseas will be available to local companies. It’s all very exciting and good news. If, as the author predicts, a “technology boom” is expected through 2020, I think we – as a tech-focused Region who has not felt the impact of the recession to the extent other sectors and geographic areas have – will have a head start in capitalizing on the next tech markets.

- Iain

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