August TAG Newsletter

Dear TAG Members and Friends,

As usual TAG will be taking a summer break, so this unfortunately means no luncheon this month. Yes, we will miss you too! However, it won't be long until we meet again in September for our annual Tech Stomp scholarship fundraiser. More details on this fun-filled event and sponsorship opportunities are below.   In the meantime I wanted to let you know about an exciting no-cost workshop held by Center for Economic Vitality (CEV) tomorrow, Wednesday and also Thursday on using competitive intelligence strategically to advance your business goals. Competitive intelligence gives business owners and managers access to necessary industry, market and financial information. Check out the flyer to learn more.    
Sincerely,
Anna Ehnmark, TAG

Tech Stomp on September 9, 2010 - Save the date and call for Sponsors!   

Join us for TAG's 6th annual industry celebration and scholarship fundraiser. The theme for this years festivities will be "Wild West" so put on your stompin' boots, saddle up, and get ready for a hootin good time. Roll yer sleeves up and enjoy some Western BBQ, beer, and wine while listening to the musical stylin's of The Walrus. Relax and mingle with tech-focused business and civic leaders while supporting the leaders of tomorrow in the beautiful setting of the Squalicum Boathouse.

 Net proceeds from Tech Stomp will be awarded as scholarships to students in technology fields at our local colleges.  We encourage you to contribute to the success of this annual event in support of our local students in sciences and technology. TAG's Tech Stomp scholarships are micro-investments with macro-impacts and help make the future of our NW Tech Economy. Read more here about sponsorship opportunities or contact Anna Ehnmark or Al Pemberton for details. 

Our speaker is Eric Leonhart, Director of the WWU Vehicle Research Institute and he will speak to us about their ‘Road to the X-price’. Our local Western team made it all the way to the finals of the Progressive Automotive X Prize, an international competition to build an uber fuel-efficient vehicle. WWU's team was the only US university making it into the finals and their accomplishments are a great success story for our local technology community. Eric’s talk should be inspiring to all that attend.

Finally, come fully decked out in western apparel because as always there's gonna be a contest for the best outfits with prizes for style, substance and daring! Then plan to join your randomly assembled team of 4 for a hollerin good horseshoe tournament starting at 6:30pm.

Date: Thursday, September 9th, from 5:30 - 9:00pm.
Location: Squalicum Boat House, 2600 Harbor Loop, Bellingham
Cost: $15 for Members and $20 for Non-Members (includes BBQ & libations!)
RSVP: Register and pay ONLINE or just RSVP and pay at the door. 

Road to the X-Prize with Eric Leonhart		Relax and mingle with your peers

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A warm welcome to our new TAG member:

Visible Reality  

We want YOU to join our community of technology business owners and entrepreneurs! For more information about member benefits and to sign up please visit this link.

TAG, Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington
(360) 647-4220
Contact: Anna Ehnmark

Thank you to our members for their support. We would also like to thank our funding partners:

Dear Friends:

This is a friendly final reminder.  Register now to reserve a seat and lunch for Friday's TAG luncheon featuring a fun and informative presentation on Bellingham's grassroots campaign for Google Fiber: A Case Study In Irregular Social Media.
Please RSVP no later than tomorrow Thursday by 4pm so we can update the head count to our caterer.
Thanks!

Anna Ehnmark, TAG

Earlier this year Bellingham joined in with several hundred other communities across the United States in a bidding war for Google's Fiber For Communities project.  Among those interested in being a part of this locally were Nathan Carnes, Scott Pierce, David Wiggs and Chris Donaldson. Together, they helped to drive a grassroots effort to develop community interest in this project. For our July program our presenters will share their story of how they helped to rally the community around this project and how each individual contributor did a little part to help create a great campaign for Bellingham. This will be a panel discussion so questions are encouraged. I encourage you to take a look at the Putting the G in Bellingham video created by Hand crank films and the BellinghamAtlas site developed by Carnes Media before our meeting.

Date: Friday, July 16, from 12:00 - 1:15 pm Show up early (11:30am) to network!
Location: DIS Building, 1315 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham
Cost: Members $10, Non-Members $15. Lunch is included.
RSVP: Register and pay ONLINE or RSVP and pay at the door.

About Nathan:
Nathan Carnes is the principal at Carnes Media, a web agency based in Bellingham, Washington. With more than a decade of experience in web design and development, he geeks out about clean design and clean code, and has been known to correct people on the proper usage of "font" versus "typeface". Carnes Media is responsible for the BellinghamAtlas website, which was created to aid in the Google Fiber For Communities bid from Bellingham. It is an "interactive atlas of Bellingham to show Google that Bellingham is the perfect mix of big city and small town, urban and rural — it’s just right."

About Scott:
Scott Pierce is a content strategist with over 13 years in branded entertainment, media production, design and editorial experience. Over the years, he has fostered a working knowledge of user-centered design processes, information architecture, and best practices. Due to his background as a creator, a vendor and a client, he brings a fresh perspective to projects that require a business case for content.

About David:
David Wiggs is the owner of Hitch, a marketing consultancy focusing on strategy and resource development.  He has a  background in advertising, but don't hold that against him. He's also an entrepreneur, nice guy and enjoys penning his own bio. David advocates developing a niche and doing it well.
One of his philosophies is "Follow your heart, trust your gut, and do what makes you happy."

About Chris:
Chris Donaldson is currently producer over at Hand Crank Films, the company that created 'Put the G in Bellingham'. His background includes working with prominent companies in Los Angeles, such as Coppos Films, Ridley Scott Associates, Vivendi/Universal and Fox Studios - to name a few.  He also has been a Marketing Executive for two Independent film distributors, as well as founder of streaming media company RadicalMail, which he sold moments after the Dot 1.0 implosion (yes, his timing could have been better).

We thank our Annual Speaker Series Sponsor:

Sincerely,

Anna Ehnmark, TAG Executive Director

Join our online communities:

TAG, Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington
(360) 647-4220
Contact: Anna Ehnmark

Thank you to our members for their support. We would also like to thank our funding partners:

July TAG News - Meetings and Events

Dear TAG Members and Friends,

You are invited to TAG's July luncheon featuring a presentation on Bellingham's grassroots campaign for Google Fiber: A Case Study In Irregular Social Media.

Bellingham joined in with several hundred other communities across the United States in a bidding war for Google's Fiber For Communities project. Among those interested in being a part of this locally were Nathan Carnes, Scott Pierce, David Wiggs and Chris Donaldson. Together, they helped to drive a grassroots effort to develop community interest in this project. For our July program our presenters will share their story of how they helped to rally the community around this project and how each individual contributor did a little part to help create a great campaign for Bellingham. This will be a panel discussion so questions are encouraged. I encourage you to take a look at the Putting the G in Bellingham video created by Hand Crank Films and the BellinghamAtlas site developed by Carnes Media before our meeting.

Date: Friday, July 16, from 12:00 - 1:15 pm Show up early (11:30am) to network!
Location: DIS Building, 1315 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham
Cost: Members $10, Non-Members $15. Lunch is included.
RSVP: Register and pay ONLINE or RSVP and pay at the door.

Find out more about our our speakers here.

We thank our speaker series sponsor:

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Save the Date!!

Tech Stomp on Thursday, September 9, 2010 - Save the Date!

TAG will hold its 6th annual Tech Stomp event and fundraiser for scholarships on September 9 at the Squalicum Boathouse.  Tech Stomp is TAG's premier social event of the year and always a lot fun!  Stay tuned for more details coming soon.

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Welcome to new TAG members:

Company members:
VAULT Technologies 

Individual members:
Andreas Macke
Debbie Kiene
Kathy Akers
Suzy Tonini

We want YOU to join our community of technology business owners and entrepreneurs! For more information about member benefits and to sign up please visit this link.

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Other Industry Events:

Refresh Bellingham:
Teach Your Child Nodes Well: Helping The Next Generation Of Web Geeks (And Yourself) Build A Better Web

Time and place: Wednesday, July 21, 6pm at Extremes Sports Grill.

Refresh Bellingham  is proud to host Dylan Wilbanks. Dylan will be discussing Teach Your Child Nodes Well: Helping The Next Generation Of Web Geeks (And Yourself) Build A Better Web. This December marks the 20th anniversary of WorldWideWeb, the first-ever web browser. For more information click here.

Workshop Retreat - Rock the World with Social Media for Professionals! 

Featuring LinkedIn professionals Mike O'Neil and Lori Ruff, authors of Rock the World with your Online Presence.

July 28 - 29, Langley, WA produced by Langley Center for New Media  and Fusionspark Media, Inc., in Langley, Wa., located on Whidbey Island


If you are a TAG member and have an event you would like to announce in TAG's newsletter please contact Anna.

Did you miss last month's TAG meeting on Technical Talent Attraction? 

You can find Amybeth Hale's presentation at this link. 

Is your FREE listing in the nwtechdirectory.org up to date?

As a TAG member you qualify for an enhanced listing including logo placement, top-of-the-page search results, email contact forms, and a longer company description. Learn more here >>

Check out the latest submission to the tech directory: Blinding Rain LLC.

Join our online communities:

TAG, Technology Alliance Group for Northwest Washington
(360) 647-4220
Contact: Anna Ehnmark

Thank you to our members for their support. We would also like to thank our funding partners:

Friends,

Thanks for attending Friday's TAG luncheon.

I posted Amybeth Hale's presentation on Technical Talent Attraction to our website at this link.

If you have questions for Amybeth you can reach her directly at this email amybeth@researchgoddess.com.

Best,

Anna Ehnmark
TAG
TAG, 360-647-4220

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for registering for tomorrow's TAG meeting. We have a great program lined up for you!  I encourage you to show up early (11:30AM) to allow time to network with your peers. Help yourselves to lunch and have a seat. We will start the program shortly after noon. 

Parking Directions: Convenient parking is behind the DIS Building in the Parkade on Commercial St.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow! 

Finally, if you are not already a member of TAG please consider joining. You can find more information and sign up at this link.

Anna Ehnmark
TAG, 360-647-4220

Join us on June 18 for a presentation on Technical Talent Attraction

Looking for amazing people to join your company? Wondering how to source the best employees? Then come hear Research Goddess Amybeth Hale, a local Talent Attraction Manager, share cutting edge techniques for attracting top technical recruits to Bellingham and Whatcom County. She’ll explain how companies who emphasize quality of life and our growing technology sector will have success finding top quality employees.

Amybeth will also demonstrate the latest tools and techniques for discovering great people. You can contribute to the presentation by taking this two page survey of local qualities you value. Survey results will be presented at the TAG Luncheon.

Date: Friday, June 18, from 12:00 - 1:15 pm
We encourage you to show up early (11:30am) to network.
Location: DIS Building, 1315 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham
Cost: Members $10, Non-Members $15. Lunch is included.
RSVP: Register and pay ONLINE or RSVP and pay at the door.

About Amybeth Hale

Amybeth has been a recruiting researcher for nearly eight years and has worked on both the corporate and agency side of recruiting. Currently, Hales works for ERE Media, Inc., a recruiting industry publisher, as the editor for The Fordyce Letter as well as The Source Newsletter. Hale can be found on Twitter as @researchgoddess, and she blogs on all things research and social at researchgoddess.com. For more information about Amybeth click here.

We thank our Annual Speaker Series Sponsor:

Other Industry Events:

Refresh Bellingham: WordPress 3.0 for Fun and Profit

Time and place: Wednesday, June 16, 6pm at Extremes Sports Grill.

Refresh Bellingham is proud to host Nathan Carnes. Nathan will be discussing how to turn your crusty old XHTML/CSS site into a wicked awesome WordPress site in the same time it takes to watch an episode of Law and Order. We'll take a magical journey and discover how the looming 3.0 release makes WordPress into an even better content management system. See how easy it is to transform a simple site into a hot-rodded, WordPress-powered beast.

For more information and to register >>

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Bellingham Social Media:

June 23:  Google Fiber: A Case Study In Irregular Social Media.

Recently, Bellingham joined in with several hundred other communities across the United States in a bidding war for Google's Fiber For Communities project. Among those interested in being a part of this locally were Nathan Carnes, Scott Pierce, and David Wiggs. Together, they helped to drive a grassroots effort to develop community interest in this project. For June's Bellingham Social Media presentation, Nathan, Scott, and David will share their story of how they helped to rally the community around this project and how each individual contributor did a little part to help create a great campaign for Bellingham. This will be a panel discussion so questions are encouraged. Please also take a look at www.BellinghamAtlas.com, created by Carnes Media.

Wednesday, June 23rd at Glow from 6-8pm (or whenever you're ready to leave; Glow is open to the public after our event! Sign up at this link.

The Washington Technology – Summer Celebration on June 24

We are proud to be a partner of WTIA’s annual Summer Celebration, geared to bring the entire technology community together.  Hosted in Woodinville at Chateau Ste Michelle Winery guests will enjoy a summer kaleidoscope of business opportunities, enjoyment & education!  Our members will receive a member rate of $25 (versus $40).

• CONNECT: With over 200 peers in the tech crowd.
• SIP: On complimentary wine all evening!
• ENHANCE: Your knowledge with gratis guided tours giving you a behind-the-scenes glimpse at winemaking.
• SUPPORT: Technology Access Foundation & win posh prizes in the raffle.   

Please join us along with the WTIA and all of the other event partners to celebrate the must attend technology event of the summer season!  For more information & to register please click 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 members for their support. We would also like to thank our funding partners:

TAG Members and Friends,

This is your final chance to RSVP for Friday's TAG luncheon featuring Amybeth Hale, a technical talent attraction expert and social media guru. Whether you are actively recruiting for your company or looking for new employment opportunities this meeting will offer new insights and practical tips that can benefit you.  Register today to reserve a seat and lunch!

Thank you
Anna Ehnmark, TAG Executive Director

Join us on June 18 for a presentation on Technical Talent Attraction

Looking for amazing people to join your company? Wondering how to source the best employees? Then come hear Research Goddess Amybeth Hale, a local Talent Attraction Manager, share cutting edge techniques for attracting top technical recruits to Bellingham and Whatcom County. She’ll explain how companies who emphasize quality of life and our growing technology sector will have success finding top quality employees.

Amybeth will also demonstrate the latest tools and techniques for discovering great people. You can contribute to the presentation by taking this two page survey of local qualities you value. Survey results will be presented at the TAG Luncheon.

Date: Friday, June 18, from 12:00 - 1:15 pm
We encourage you to show up early (11:30am) to network.
Location: DIS Building, 1315 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham
Cost: Members $10, Non-Members $15. Lunch is included.
RSVP: Register and pay ONLINE or RSVP and pay at the door.

About Amybeth Hale

Amybeth has been a recruiting researcher for nearly eight years and has worked on both the corporate and agency side of recruiting. Currently, Hales works for ERE Media, Inc., a recruiting industry publisher, as the editor for The Fordyce Letter as well as The Source Newsletter. Hale can be found on Twitter as @researchgoddess, and she blogs on all things research and social at researchgoddess.com. For more information about Amybeth click here.

We thank our Annual Speaker Series Sponsor:

Other Industry Events:

Refresh Bellingham: WordPress 3.0 for Fun and Profit

Time and place: Wednesday, June 16, 6pm at Extremes Sports Grill.

Refresh Bellingham is proud to host Nathan Carnes. Nathan will be discussing how to turn your crusty old XHTML/CSS site into a wicked awesome WordPress site in the same time it takes to watch an episode of Law and Order. We'll take a magical journey and discover how the looming 3.0 release makes WordPress into an even better content management system. See how easy it is to transform a simple site into a hot-rodded, WordPress-powered beast.

For more information and to register >>

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Bellingham Social Media:

June 23:  Google Fiber: A Case Study In Irregular Social Media.

Recently, Bellingham joined in with several hundred other communities across the United States in a bidding war for Google's Fiber For Communities project. Among those interested in being a part of this locally were Nathan Carnes, Scott Pierce, and David Wiggs. Together, they helped to drive a grassroots effort to develop community interest in this project. For June's Bellingham Social Media presentation, Nathan, Scott, and David will share their story of how they helped to rally the community around this project and how each individual contributor did a little part to help create a great campaign for Bellingham. This will be a panel discussion so questions are encouraged. Please also take a look at www.BellinghamAtlas.com, created by Carnes Media.

Wednesday, June 23rd at Glow from 6-8pm (or whenever you're ready to leave; Glow is open to the public after our event! Sign up at this link.

The Washington Technology – Summer Celebration on June 24

We are proud to be a partner of WTIA’s annual Summer Celebration, geared to bring the entire technology community together.  Hosted in Woodinville at Chateau Ste Michelle Winery guests will enjoy a summer kaleidoscope of business opportunities, enjoyment & education!  Our members will receive a member rate of $25 (versus $40).

• CONNECT: With over 200 peers in the tech crowd.
• SIP: On complimentary wine all evening!
• ENHANCE: Your knowledge with gratis guided tours giving you a behind-the-scenes glimpse at winemaking.
• SUPPORT: Technology Access Foundation & win posh prizes in the raffle.   

Please join us along with the WTIA and all of the other event partners to celebrate the must attend technology event of the summer season!  For more information & to register please click 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 members for their support. We would also like to thank our funding partners:

TAG Members and Friends,

Join us on June 18 for a presentation on Technical Talent Attraction

Looking for amazing people to join your company? Wondering how to source the best employees? Then come hear Research Goddess Amybeth Hale, a local Talent Attraction Manager, share cutting edge techniques for attracting top technical recruits to Bellingham and Whatcom County. She’ll explain how companies who emphasize quality of life and our growing technology sector will have success finding top quality employees.

Amybeth will also demonstrate the latest tools and techniques for discovering great people. You can contribute to the presentation by taking this two page survey of local qualities you value. Survey results will be presented at the TAG Luncheon.

Date: Friday, June 18, from 12:00 - 1:15 pm
We encourage you to show up early (11:30am) to network.
Location: DIS Building, 1315 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham
Cost: Members $10, Non-Members $15. Lunch is included.
RSVP: Register and pay ONLINE or RSVP and pay at the door.

About Amybeth Hale

Amybeth began her career in research in the summer of 2002 as the sole researcher for an award-winning MRI-affiliated executive search firm in Ohio. She then served as the Manager of Internet Research for a recruiting franchisor in Ohio where she provided research support to franchise offices and implemented, customized, and conducted training classes for contact management databases, passive researching techniques and personal online branding. In the last 3 years she served as a Sourcing Strategist for Waggener Edstrom, a global public relations agency headquartered in Seattle, WA and then as a Talent Attraction Manager with AT&T. Currently, Amybeth works for ERE Media, Inc., a recruiting industry publisher, as the Editor for The Fordyce Letter as well as The Source Newsletter.

Amybeth was an instrumental part in the development and moderation of an extensive interactive network of researchers throughout MRI’s franchise system. She helped establish recognition of and assistance for the researchers affiliated with MRI at its regional conferences and was asked to assist with training sessions for 2005 and 2006. She also worked to broaden the online presence of Waggener Edstrom’s recruiting team and was one of the voices of the online recruitment and employment branding effort during her tenure at AT&T. One of her favorite sayings is, “Never forget where you came from – and always reach back.”

Amybeth also maintains an internet research and social media blog, www.researchgoddess.com where she is affectionately known as the “Research Goddess”. She is a proponent of responsible professional networking and believes that there is something to be learned from every person you encounter in life.

Amybeth graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelors degree in Exercise and Sports Science. She currently resides in northwestern WA.

Be sure to reserve your seat early.  This event will fill up fast!  Also, help TAG grow and invite a friend to attend!

We thank our Annual Speaker Series Sponsor:

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Other Industry Events:

The Washington Technology – Summer Celebration on June 24

We are proud to be a partner of WTIA’s annual Summer Celebration, geared to bring the entire technology community together.  Hosted in Woodinville at Chateau Ste Michelle Winery guests will enjoy a summer kaleidoscope of business opportunities, enjoyment & education!  Our members will receive a member rate of $25 (versus $40).

• CONNECT: With over 200 peers in the tech crowd.
• SIP: On complimentary wine all evening!
• ENHANCE: Your knowledge with gratis guided tours giving you a behind-the-scenes glimpse at winemaking.
• SUPPORT: Technology Access Foundation & win posh prizes in the raffle.   

Please join us along with the WTIA and all of the other event partners to celebrate the must attend technology event of the summer season!  For more information & to register please click 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 members for their support. We would also like to thank our funding partners: