Words From Skip: Update on Industry Promotion Initiatives (there's a lot going on!)

This blog post is the first in a series providing updates on three strategic areas of focus for TAO: 1) Industry Promotion, 2) Advocacy, and 3) Education.  This week’s blog covers Industry Promotion, and there’s a lot going on. 

If you haven’t noticed, Oregon’s technology industry is getting a lot of recognition in other markets, and this week was no exception. 

Significance of Nike+ Accelerator

On Monday, Nike announced it was partnering with TechStars to launch a Nike+ Accelerator, and this new was picked up by major media around the country.  According to people associated with the initiative, the Accelerator will select 10 companies ”aiming to use Nike+ technology to create products and services that will inspire athletes across a broad range of activity and health goals including training, coaching, gaming, data visualization and quantified self.” 

Rick Turoczy did a great post on Silicon Florist earlier this week outlining the ways in which the Nike+ Accelerator will strengthen an expanding and increasingly well-supported startup ecosystem here in Portland.  Of course, one of the observations is that the arrival of TechStars in Portland helps to underscore what a lot Portlander’s already know—there’s a critical mass of exciting startups here making great things happen. 

Portland’s Tech and Creative Communities Get Some Love From Seattle

On Wednesday, GeekWire in Seattle did a feature on Jeff Faulkner, former Creative Director of Microsoft Xbox and current Creative Director of a new top secret project, also at Microsoft.  Jeff spoke last night at a sold-out event that the Technology Association of Oregon put on in collaboration with Designspeaks. In Geekwire’s  Geek-of-the-Week feature, Jeff talked about the fact that Portland is a global center for design-meets-tech innovation and a deep source of creative talent.  Many thanks to Edelman’s Portland office for its help in placing this story. 

TAO Technology Company PR Initiative

Speaking of Edelman, we are partnering with them on a PR initiative that is kicking off in earnest after the first of the year to promote local software companies on Techlandia.org and other channels as appropriate.  This initiative is designed to enhance rather than replace your existing PR efforts.  Urban Airship, Elemental, Iovation, eSoftware Solutions are just some of the companies who have already signed on to participate.  If you are interested in participating, please contact me at skip.newberry@techoregon.org. 

Xconomy Contemplating Opening News Bureau in Portland

Xconomy, which is based out of Boston, is considering opening up a news bureau here in Portland to cover emerging companies, health tech, energy, and the life sciences cluster.  Xconomy is growing rapidly, and they have impressive reach in major markets around the country that are important to the local technology community.  I have been talking with a number of technology companies and PR agencies around town about this opportunity, and the response has been uniformly positive.  If you would like to share your thoughts or learn about ways you or your company might support Xconomy’s expansion, please feel free to drop me a line at skip.newberry@techoregon.org. 

Oregon Booth at GSM Mobile World Congress

TAO is working with Business Oregon to outfit an "Oregon Booth” at GSM Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the end of February.  Oregon companies attending the conference will be able to distribute print collateral and display promotional media on monitors that will be provided at the booth.   If you are planning to attend the conference, and you are interested in using the booth, please contact Tom DiCorcia at Business Oregon (tom.dicorcia@biz.state.or.us).     

Portland 100

A lot of work has been going on with Portland 100 over the past six months.  The Board and the Portland Development Commission have been coordinating meetings between participating companies and their mentors, and nearly each participating company has completed a comprehensive self-assessment.  There will be a brown bag get-together with the full slate of companies in the first half of Q1 and the Portland 100 coalition is working on putting together some high-visibility opportunities to promote the local tech community in markets outside of Oregon.  Stay tuned for some announcements in the near future.

We Need Your Input!

Promotion is just one of TAO’s strategic areas of focus where there is a lot going on.  We also have a lot in store for 2013 in regard to advocacy and our programs and events.  To make sure that TAO’s strategic initiatives for 2013 align with the priorities of our member companies, we are asking for your input through this brief survey: http://conversation.fuseinsight.com/topic/start/TAO_2012membership_kX/intro.

Check Out TAO Events Calendar

Speaking of programs and events, if you have not checked out the TAO Events Calendar in a while, you should.  We have a lot our events up there for 2013, and some more will be added in the near future.  If you are interested in buying tables or sponsoring components of the Oregon Technology Awards, the Golf Tournament, or Party-in-the-Pinot, please contact a member of TAO staff because those opportunities are already disappearing.