May 15 - Smarts on the Grid:  Alpha Technologies

Waiting for the sun to shine? So is our electric grid!  Fortunately, national policies on renewable energy and smart-grid technologies are bringing some sunny news to Northwest Washington.  One of the nation's leading developers of turnkey photovoltaic systems for commercial, residential, institutional and remote (off-grid) applications, Alpha Energy is recognized as a market innovator in packaging renewable energy technologies.  Join us on Friday, May 15 to hear a presentation by Andrew Zogby, President and COO of Alpha Technologies a full-service engineering and project development company for the distributed generation power industry based in Bellingham.

Zogby will discuss the important role that renewable energy and sustainable powering techniques are playing in today's business world. From current government incentives and diverse financing options to the difference between economic and ecological payoffs, Zogby will provide a basic overview of solar power systems and the practical applications to businesses and everyday life. His presentation will include an overview of Alpha's Hybrid Solar Power Plants, Solar Shade Parking structures, and Electric Vehicle Chargers. Alpha recently announced the commission of a 153kW solar power installation for Cox Communications at its Phoenix, Arizona headquarters and Zogby will describe the project objectives and results achieved.

This will be a popular meeting so please register as soon as possible.

Date and Time: Friday, May 15 from 12:00 - 1:15 pm.
We encourage you to show up early (11:30AM) to network.
Location: DIS building at 1315 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA
Cost: Members $10, Non-Members $15. Lunch by Avenue Bread included. 

Register online at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/67137
You can also RSVP and pay at the door.

About Andrew Zogby: As the President and COO of Alpha Technologies, Drew Zogby brings 25 years of global industry leadership and experience to the most innovative powering company in the market. With his past experience at ADC Telecommunications, Corning Cable Systems and Channell Commercial Corporation, including involvement with the U.S. Green Building Council and Society of Cable Television Engineers, Zogby has the unique skill set needed to implement innovative renewable power and telecommunications solutions into practical, everyday applications.  Zogby holds an MBA from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business and a BS Degree from LeMoyne College.

We thank our Speaker Series Sponsor Fibercloud.

Is your listing in the nwtechdirectory.org up to date? As a TAG member you qualify for an enhanced listing.

TAG recently launched an online comprehensive directory of technology businesses in Whatcom County. The Technology Business Directory, the only one of its kind in Northwest Washington now contains information about 600 businesses in a variety of technology sectors including information technology, equipment and instrumentation manufacturing, and professional, scientific and technical services such as engineering and architectural services.

Company listings in the directory are free. Technology businesses have the ability to manage their information directly through the nwtechdirectory.com website.

TAG members qualify for an enhanced listing which includes logo placement, top-of-the-page search results, email contact forms, and a longer company description. Including key words in the long description will help improve a business' search results.

The Whatcom Technology Directory was funded by the Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham. Thank you to VAULTechnology, CCG Inc, and OpenAccess Network Services -all local technology based businesses - for their assistance in the development of the directory.

Marketing your Business in Challenging Times - 'Keeping Local Business Strong' Workshop Series   Thursday, May 21, 8-9:30am Mount Baker Theatre's Walton Room. Cost: Free   Join us for the third of six free monthly sessions designed to help you keep your business strong and healthy in this difficult economy. Based on feedback from attendees at the March workshop the topic for April and May's sessions will be Marketing.   This workshop will build on the previous month's presentation by Tom Dorr with a presentation on tactical marketing strategies by local marketing expert Jason Lee of FLIR Creative. Jason will share practical advice and facilitate discussion on:   The value of your company's brand, Marketing/advertising vehicles, Social media, and Marketing in tough economic times.   We encourage you to bring your questions as there will be time for Q&A at the end. Please RSVP for the May 21 session to Tara Sundin, City of Bellingham Planning and Community Development, 778-8300 or tsundin@cob.org The series is sponsored by the City of Bellingham, the Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington, Northwest Economic Council-Whatcom County, Sustainable Connections, Center for Economic Vitality, and the Downtown Bellingham Partnership.

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Partner Events and Industry News

April May 5 - .Net User Group Meeting on Application Architecture 2.0

About the speaker:

Keith Pleas is one of the founders of Guided Design and has worked with the patterns & practices team for several years. Prior to that he worked for more than two years on the team developing the .NET Framework and Visual Studio .NET. Keith is an internationally known writer and speaker and past Editorial Chair for the VSLive conferences. He is also a Contributing Editor to "Visual Studio Magazine", and has developed Microsoft Professional Certification Exams. Keith was a founding board member of INETA where he also created the INETA Speakers Bureau.

Keith will be talking about this current project, which had a CTP release a couple of months back and is getting near being in printed final form: http://apparchguide.codeplex.com/

May 14 - Tatango is back! Are you a local business looking to create a presence on the Internet?

Join the team from Tatango, this year's Startup Business of the Year winner, for a crash course seminar in what you should be doing for your business on the web. Whether you are looking to attract new customers, retain current customers or build brand equity, this seminar will provide you with all of the tools needed to do this online. The team from Tatango will be outlining a step-by-step process taking you through everything from Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, E-mail and Text Messaging.

Space is limited and registration is required.  Class takes place may 14, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m at Room2Think, downtown Bellingham.  Cost: $50
To register >>

Join Us for the Technology Showcase Event of the Year!
WTIA's Fast Pitch Forum
It's a vehicle for Northwest technology companies to pitch and therefore "showcase" their business to the local community, key venture capitalists and technology buyers, and to learn about the state of the investment climate. This event provides an unparalleled exchange of business ideas, information and feedback. Whether you're an investor, a company, a buyer, or just someone interested in the tech industry, this is the forum for you!
Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Seattle WA
May 27, 2009
7:30am-7:00pm

TAG Members: $225- "Early Bird Pricing"
Non-Members: $275- "Early Bird Pricing"
*Early Bird Pricing ends May 12th, so be sure to register NOW!
REGISTER

Do you have a brilliant clean tech idea?
Enter the Clean Tech Open and compete for more than $1 million in cash and startup services!

Early stage clean tech startups are invited to enter the inaugural Pacific Northwest Clean Tech Open!

The Clean Tech Open is the planet's leading clean technology business competition offering clean tech innovators the tools, training and connections they need to become tomorrow's viable clean tech businesses. 

Enter today!

• Register at www.CleanTechOpen.com and check the box that says "I am interested in competing."
• Verify your eligibility: at least 2 team members; less than $500,000 in private funding; open to U.S. citizens, residents and legal aliens.
• Create a team online and pay the entry fee. 
• Write your 3-page Executive Summary using the template provided.
• Submit your final Executive Summary by May 30, 2009 at 11:59pm PST.
• For more information, visit: www.CleanTechOpen.com

TAG Members are you taking advantage of the WTIA Purchasing Cooperative and Health Benefits? Learn more here >>

Individual Health
The Washington Technology Industry Association now offers more health insurance options. WTIA has expanded their partnership with Regence to offer Individual coverage as an excellent solution for anyone who is not currently on a group health insurance plan. More details here >>

Do you have ideas for TAG programs? Want to get more involved? Please contact us.

TAG, Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington

1315 Cornwall Ave
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 647-4220
Contact: Anna Ehnmark

Thank you to our funding partners:

Become a TAG member today!

Welcome to new members:

Gateway Controls
Qualnetics
Mike Gibson

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