Events

Tag Blog

Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.northfulton.com/Articles-c-2009-07-24-178587.114126-sub_GNFCC_mixing_gadgets_and_indoor_karting.html
by Bob Pepaliswrite

ROSWELL - Gadgets galore will be on display at the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce’s (GNFCC) annual Gadget Showcase coming to Andretti Indoor Karting and Games in Roswell July 30.

The chamber combines its monthly Business After Hours with the gadgetfest, giving technology innovators, manufacturers and distributors the chance to exhibit their products in a relaxed, low-pressure setting. Potential customers, technophiles, business owners, “geeks” and investors will find electronic devices such as SIP-enabled phones like the Gizmo, PDAs, laptops and other mobile computing devices. Many of the exhibitors will have business-oriented products and technology on display.

“Gwinnett and we are working together with TAG [Technology Association of Georgia] on trying to provide another opportunity for our tech companies in the north metro area,” said Tedra Cheatham, GNFCC vice president.

TAG North Metro meets at Pampas Steakhouse on State Bridge Road in Johns Creek. Cheatham said 125 people attended the first meeting in June. The second meeting was held July 16, with the third meeting scheduled Aug. 20. There Pete Sinisgalli, president and CEO of Manhattan Associates, will speak.

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.sbirga.com/2009/07/sbir-hits-the-radio-waves.html

Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) President, Tino Mantella, interviewed Connie Ruffner this week for his show “Tech Talk With Tino” on TAG Radio.  Connie discussed SBIR and what it means for Georgia’s technology community.

Topics included:

What is SBIR and who qualifies?

Trends in Georgia for SBIR funding

SBIR Reauthorization

Changes in the economy and how that’s affected SBIR

SBIR and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Listen to the broadcast.

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.pr.com/press-release/166336
PR.com

The challenging economy makes it critical for small businesses to entertain new and pioneering ways to position themselves by bringing forward “Top of the Shelf” solutions. When budgets and manpower are squeezed, the key is to look in unconventional places to find others with common interests. Partnering can be the answer and can leverage your strengths and enhance your ability to reach your market with new dialogue. That can translate into new business opportunities for all.

The TAG Consulting Society and sponsor Telx are delighted to bring you an innovative panel discussion, “How to Maximize your Partnering Opportunities in a Down Economy”, on Tuesday, July 21, 2009 from 7:30am-9:00am at the Centergy Building in downtown Atlanta. The program promises to unlock secrets that can help you maximize your partnering opportunities. When you partner with others who have similar desires, you can empower the magic of innovation. It also opens the door of opportunity to meet several very promising emerging growth companies that may add value to your portfolio of offerings.

Please plan to attend this informative discussion with several industry leaders that use partnering each and every day for the benefit of many. Panelists include: Sig Mosley - President of Imlay Investments, Mark Latham - COO of TechBridges, John Hurlbut - Executive Director of TAG Education Collaborative (TEC), and Charles Ross - General Manager of the Advanced Technology Development Center and Director of Entrepreneurial Services for Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute. The session moderator will be Chris Reinking - Founding Partner of Jabian Consulting Be prepared to open new avenues of business and opportunity for yourself, your partnerships and your clients.

The Technology Association of Georgia is dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of the state’s technology industry and provides leadership in driving initiatives in the areas of policy, capital, education and giving. TAG also brings the technology community together through events, initiative programs and networking opportunities. The organization is a who’s who of tech leaders and pioneers with a membership over 2500 strong including executives of FORTUNE 500 companies, investors, service providers, government and civic leaders, and entrepreneurs. For more details on the event and location, please visit http://www.tagonline.org and click on Events.

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.techlinks.net/community/articles/article/17780-tamy-awards-and-web-2-0-social-media-world-keynote-videos-launches-on-tag-tv
TechLINKS

Who was named the 2009 Technology Marketing Executive of the Year? Who and why did the chosen companies earn category awards for Corporate Repositioning, Marketing Tactic or Marketing to the C-Level? Tune into the TAG TV TAMY Awards video and learn this and more, such as exploring the Web 2.0 social media world with Penny McIntyre of The Coca Cola Company.

Learn who won awards now

McIntyre, The Coca-Cola Company senior vice president and general manager, Water, Tea and Coffee Divisions, delivered a keynote speech entitled “The New Rules of Brand Management - Leveraging New Media in the New Economy.” She shared the challenges and benefits of applying Web-based communications to reach buyers directly in the era of social media. An inside take on the do’s and don’ts of the new media world expanded to best practices of online brand management. Watch the McIntryre keynote now from the convenience of your office!

Organized by the TAG Marketing Society, each year the TAMY Awards ceremony recognizes a technology marketing executive who has made a positive impact, not on only their own company’s results, but also on the advancement of technology marketing as a whole. Companies competing for the coveted awards must be an emerging or large company that demonstrates excellence in creating and executing technology marketing programs.

“We’re extremely pleased with the quality of the submissions in this year’s competition,” said Stein Soelberg, TAMY Awards Co-Chair, TAG Marketing, commenting at the culmination of the May event. “In each case, these winners have differentiated themselves as marketing professionals and, importantly, in a competitive marketplace during one of the worst economies in the modern era. So, we extend sincere congratulations to all.”

Watch the keynote and learn about the Web 2.0 social media world, plus discover who won TAMY Awards

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.corespeed.com/community/content.php?cid=1058
Core Community Networks

Last week, I had the honor of sitting on a panel discussion on the use of social media (I and others use this interchangeably with “social networking”) in the training space. Thanks to Paul & Sherry for getting me there! The panel was made up of 5 smart people and then, well, me and was put on by 2 “societies” of TAG (Technology Association of Georgia) which were the Workplace Learning Society and the Enterprise 2.0 Society.
There were some great ideas and resources shared. Here is a quick rundown from my notes:

Coca-Cola USA takes social networking seriously enough to have developed a SN certification course for employees who will be sponsoring these resources internally. Sheri Simon of CC-USA was on the panel and I would like to find out more about what this course covers.

IBM has published their social media guidelines – http://www.ibm.com/blogs/zz/en/guidelines.html – and many use this as a model.

Some are using Yammer, including some groups at Turner that I was unaware of. The comparison was made:
o Twitter answers “What am I doing?”
o Yammer answers “What am I working on?”
Selah Abrams of Turner was on the panel and was great on this stuff, showing us some screen shots of what the Turner production groups are doing with the technology.

Some were using social networking in the classroom:
o Allows learners to post questions in real time
o (This was pretty significant in the ensuing discussion) It equalizes the voices of introverts and extroverts

Sharepoint is picking up a lot of 3rd party partners who supply social add-ins.

You can’t push this technology out like you would the new accounting system. It is primarily a learning application and as such, the role of the training professional is to create or identify incentives for people to use it…

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Posted by Ariel Killen

openPR http://www.openpr.com/news/88088/Solar-Velocity-s-VP-of-Sales-Marketing-named-to-TAG-Smart-Grid-Society-s-Board-of-Directors.html and
from Solar Velocity http://www.pr.com/press-release/165407

Solar Velocity’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Scott Burkey was appointed to the new Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Smart Grid Society’s Board of Directors.

The TAG Smart Grid Society will work to educate, enlighten, and accelerate the development of smart grid technologies in Georgia by exploring the technologies and collaborations necessary to drive the smart grid systems into reality. Burkey and the other board members are working to foster relationships, develop a meeting schedule, and raise awareness about the society.

Burkey serves as the Business Development Executive for Solar Velocity, a leading interactive marketing and technology firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. The award-winning firm has over 700 creative projects to its name and counts AT & T Wireless, AFLAC, Lotus Automobiles, FSBO.com, and 99X.com among its clients. Burkey is responsible for developing new business, expanding his company’s brand recognition, and providing critical e-business insights for his clients. In addition to consulting key Fortune 1000 accounts that his company serves, Burkey contributes to many publications and mentors young technology and marketing professionals in the Atlanta area.

“I am extremely honored to be named to the TAG Smart Grid Society’s Board of Directors,” says Burkey. “Our state is on track to become a prominent player on the global stage. The next few months and years will surely be exciting, as we work to increase the import and export of new energy creation, distribution, and consumption technologies.”

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/opinion/blogpost/5330141/
WRAL Local Tech Wire

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Entrepreneurs, take heart. Speed dating, “lounge” events and “Calling All Entrepreneurs” are just three events this week that serve as examples of where you can meet potential investors and get feedback about your business plans…

Participating in events like these, attending venture conferences and related events such as networking mixers put on by the Council for Entrepreneurial Development or the Technology Association of Georgia and others can open the right doors for entrepreneurs. But you may have to do your homework and spadework to find the doors on which to knock.

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://hrdindia.com/2009/06/meet-t-reed-gary-17-year-veteran-blue-chip-corporate-recruiting-consultant/
HR India

Reed is passionate about the art & business impact of Talent Acquisition. He has a track record of crafting recruiting strategies; candidate sourcing and candidate development; plus, pre-closing candidates & increasing offer acceptance rates. Reed’s experience includes 17 years in corporate Human Resources plus 14 years of Contract Recruiting with focus on: US Government / Public Sector; PhD, MS, & BS Engineers; subject matter experts in Information Technology; territory & large account Sales; and, market research; brand; analysts relations; SEO specialists in Marketing....

Six Degrees: Tell us about your broader involvement within the staffing industry:
Reed: As much as possible I attend meetings; events; and/or, stay on top of articles of interest by Technology Association of Georgia; ERE; RecruitingBlogs....

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/blog/atlantech/2009/06/accelereyes_bags_gratag_biz_launch_competition.html
Atlanta Business Chronicle

AccelerEyes has won the GRA/TAG Business Launch Competition — pocketing prestige and $300,000 in cash and services.

The Atlanta startup develops software tools to allow applications to run on graphics processing units. GPUs are ten times faster than CPUs and allow computers to process information faster and be more productive.

AccelerEyes CEO John Melonakos said he was “ecstatic” about winning.

The business competition was an opportunity to get “great feedback from seasoned VCs and entrepreneurs,” the 29-year-old entrepreneur said.

David Eckoff, a semi-finalist judge, said was impressed with AccelerEyes’ “strength of their management, value proposition and core technology IP.”

The publicity and interest generated from the win is also likely to help AccelerEyes raise the $500,000 in seed funding.

AccelerEyes competed with finalists Band Metrics and TalentSoup in the annual competition, organized by the Georgia Research Alliance and the Technology Association of Georgia.

This year’s GRA/TAG competition focused on Internet Technology, which includes companies developing products, online services or technologies that use or extend the reach, flexibility, and ease of the Internet.

Band Metrics, a TechCrunch50 2008 semi-finalist, helps bands, musicians and music industry professionals understand their popularity by aggregating online information about how many times their music has been played, purchased or shared. Read AtlanTech’s review here.

TalentSoup is an Internet service that provides a highly efficient matching engine to connect talent with advertising projects.

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Posted by Ariel Killen

By Allan Maurer

Knowing where a band’s fan base is located or where its music is played most often on the radio can help it focus both its marketing efforts and plan its tours. But the availability of solid analytics about bands that may be “under the radar” also helps producers in the television, radio and commercial industries find artists with breakout potential they can sign relatively inexpensively.

So says Duncan Freeman, founder and CEO of Band Metrics, one of three finalists in the Georgia Research Alliance/Technology Association of Georgia business launch competition wrapping up this week. “It’s my third start up,” Freeman notes.

The company, one of the brands developed by Indy Music Inc., was founded in 2006. Freeman initially self - funded the effort, but the company did a small Series A round under $1 million in 2008 in with Allen Graber and another investor providing the funds.

“We’re presently closing a Series B under $1 million that includes new investors,” Freeman says.

The two-employee company does data analytics that act as decision making support for professionals in the music industry. “We collect and aggregate massive amounts of data from the Internet relative to musicians,” he says. “We analyze it and provide key insights and trend information to music professionals such as booking agencies, band managers, music labels and others.”

Band Metrics tracks how many friends they have on social Web sites such as Facebook or Myspace, the number of comments, how many people click on “like” buttons related to their music, and other analytics. “It drives insight on how they can best market,” Freeman explains. “Should they focus their updates on a particular site?”

The company also pulls in radio plays from 1,000 different radio stations that tells its clients how many times songs were played in a market, giving artists an idea of where their music is being played most often. “It helps them capitalize on their fan base,” says Freeman. “If they know where most of their fans are located, they can concentrate their marketing in those areas and it helps with tour planning.”

The chief competition to the online service, Freeman says, are companies that use focus groups. The Band Metrics advantage, he points out, “is that we keep our data and can show how artists and songs are doing over time, and compare them to others. You can’t do that with a focus group.”

Although the service is still in beta testing, it already has about 4,000 users signed up, says Freeman.  Bands testing the service include The Beastie Boys, R.E.M., and Metric.

While it will eventually use a subscription model, it is currently free.
Freeman says the site can help music supervisors of popular TV shows or commercials find new talent at inexpensive prices. Music supervisors, a relatively new position at media companies, find the songs that play during shows such as “Gray’s Anatomy,” and “Smallville.”

If they sign a little-known group and end up with a hit song, everyone benefits, says Freeman.

The site helps music supervisors find tunes that appeal to just the right audience, he explains.

“Let’s say Nike is releasing a new type of shoe they want worn by a particular demographic, say the tween market. They want music supervisors to find a song the tween market is really liking so they can cement that demo to their product.”

Freeman says a lot of brands are looking at “sonic branding to help cement a demographic” to their product.

“In that sense, we’re a sales tool,” says Freeman.

He says that while the company’s technology is “agnostic toward any vertical” it is solely focused on the music industry right now. For one thing, Freeman says, it’s a space he knows. He paid his way through college with a cover band that toured the Southeast.

Eventually, however, he says the company will license the technology to others who might want to use the same system for wine or athletes or other areas.

“It’s called sentiment analysis,” says Freeman. It would be useful to marketers he suggest, “If you could gauge how people think about a particular athlete.”

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.techlinks.net/community/articles/article/17692-technology-marketing-excellence-awards-earned-by-arketi-for-three-clients
TechLINKS

High tech business-to-business public relations and marketing firm Arketi Group, announced three of its clients earned TAMY Awards from TAG Marketing, a society of the Technology Association of Georgia. The awards, given at the 9th Annual Technology Marketing Excellence Awards (TAMY) ceremony, recognize Georgia-based companies that demonstrate significant and measurable accomplishments in technology marketing and PR.

Arketi’s work for the following clients helped earn them a 2009 TAMY Award: ERDAS, Reveille Software and Virtual Premise. For the fifth straight year, Arketi’s corporate positioning work swept the positioning categories.

“These technology companies really embrace the notion that effective and integrated marketing affects the bottom line,” said Rory Carlton, principal of Arketi Group. “By working hand-in-hand with these clients we were able to not only generate exciting PR and marketing programs, but were able to track the results of these efforts back to key business measurements.” ...

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://theprofitablefreelancer.com/site/personaldevelopment/how-to-network-strategically-as-a-freelancer
The Profitable Freelancer

As a freelancer, networking can be one of your most powerful prospecting ingredients—if you do it properly. In fact, some of the most successful freelancers I know built their businesses entirely through networking. And for me, networking has been a big driver of new leads and great clients....

#1: Focus Your Efforts

First off, it’s essential to focus your efforts. Going to every networking breakfast and joining every “leads club” in town is counterproductive—and completely insane! You’ll be spreading yourself too thin.

Instead, stick to a couple of organizations and get involved as much as possible in each one. Begin your search by selecting no more than six organizations. Attend a few of their events and meetings, and see which ones you truly like. Focus on organizations that are loaded with potential prospects in your chosen specialty, if you have one.

At a minimum, concentrate on organizations whose members truly understand the value of your services and could potentially hire you. Once you have a really good feel for each of these organizations and the type of people who attend its meetings and events, narrow your list to no more than two or three (sometimes one organization is all you need) and become a member.

For me, getting involved in the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) has been a smart decision. Because my target market is software and technology, this is a prospect-rich audience. Plus, membership and involvement in TAG gives me exposure in my local market.

Now, I could (and should) pick another group to diversify my networking efforts. But I’m happy with my TAG involvement for now, which says a lot about the value of joining an organization for the quality of its members and not just the size of its membership.

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.sramanamitra.com/2009/05/28/solohealth/
Srmana Mitra

Launched in 2007, SoloHealth offers self-service health screening. Their inaugural product, EyeSite™ is an interactive kiosk that provides vision health information and customized vision reports, and also directs consumers to an eye care professional nearby ...In April 2008, SoloHealth raised $1.8 million in seed funding from friends, family and members of the Atlanta Technology Angels (ATA). A $1 million Series A is in progress, led by Larry Gerdes, who is on the board of directors.

The EyeSite kiosk concept was conceived by Foster in 2004. Each kiosk is automated and entirely self-service, unlike similar eyesight screenings available in the market. The concept is driven by two growth trends Foster predicts will characterize heath care — consumer-directed health care and self-service technology. Quick and easy to use, the kiosks are placed in high-traffic areas. EyeSite kiosks allow consumers to assess their near and far vision, schedule an appointment with a local eye doctor and learn about general eye health conditions. SoloHealth’s aim is not to replace a doctor’s visit, but to emphasize the need to visit an eye doctor regularly.

The EyeSite kiosks collect information from users and utilize data such as user demographics and visual acuity to deliver customized, relevant content to customers. SoloHealth offers this service free. 

Including glasses, contact lenses, eye exams and services, the US vision care market is over $26 billion. It would be much larger if more people got regular eye exams more frequently. Since September 2008, the company has screened over 100,000 people in Atlanta. Of those screened, 26% had never had an eye exam, yet 26% failed the distance test and 30% the near vision test. Forty-eight percent reported having a family history of eye disease and over 3% of all users requested an appointment with an eye care professional. 

SoloHealth earns revenue from advertisers targeting the vision market as well as fees from referrals. In April-May this year, the company signed several corporate deals which earned them revenue of over $650,000. The company is not yet profitable, but Foster is confident of reaching profitability by early 2011. 

SoloHealth aims to set up kiosks within the optical departments of mass merchandisers like Wal-Mart, Target, ShopKo, Sam’s Club and Costco. Large optical retailers like Pearl Vision, LensCrafters and Sears Optical are also suitable places for the kiosks. The company has piloted with kiosks in Wal-Mart, Walgreens and Kroger all over Atlanta.

In 2008, SoloHealth was selected from a pool of 1,500 contestants to be one of the top five companies on Forbes.com’s ‘Boost Your Business’ entrepreneurial list. It was also selected as one of the 2008 ‘Top 40’ Innovative Technology companies in Georgia by the Technology Association of Georgia and has won other awards like ‘Best in Show’ at the Kiosk.Com Self-Service Expo.

In the future, SoloHealth expects an exit in the form of an acquisition by a self-service kiosk company, health care media company or one of the large optical retailers or manufacturers. Till then, the company will expand into other branches of health care such as blood pressure, BMI and health risk assessments. At present SoloHealth’s main aim is to increase the network of EyeSite kiosks across the country.

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.techlinks.net/community/articles/article/17666-atdc-and-tag-s-annual-fundraising-program-now-accepting-applications-
TechLINKS

The Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) have begun accepting applications for this year’s CapVenture Program.  CapVenture is a unique program that educates and equips CEOs and executives of early-stage companies for smarter and more productive capitalization of their businesses.  Now in its 3rd year, CapVenture has been incredibly successful; past participants include Solo-Health, FluxMedia and Global Crypto Systems who all credit CapVenture for their successful fundraising.

Technology companies selected for this year’s CapVenture will be guided through extensive workshops on fundraising preparation, an elevator pitch exercise and review, executive summary review, investor communications and practice investor pitches.  Participants will also receive weekly mentoring from Atlanta investors and entrepreneurs. CapVenture’s series of presentations and workshops prepare executives for the opportunity to meet angel and venture investors and culminates with an Investor Forum and Celebration.  After the final event, the top-rated CapVenture companies will also have an opportunity to present at the 2nd annual Venture Atlanta conference, Georgia’s largest venture capital conference (http://www.ventureatlanta.org

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Posted by Ariel Killen

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2345680/
Trading Markets

(Close-Up Media via COMTEX)—SRVS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating—Venture Atlanta, a Georgia technology event, announced that it is seeking presenters for its annual investor showcase this fall.
Up to 20 tech firms will be selected to speak at Venture Atlanta 2009, held Oct. 13-14 at the W Hotel in Midtown Atlanta. Presenters will have the opportunity to pitch their companies to more than 100 private-equity investors from Atlanta and other areas of the country, including Silicon Valley and the Northeast. Last year, out-of-state venture capitalists--representing Chrysalis Ventures, Edison Venture Fund, Novak Biddle Venture Partners, Sierra Ventures and others--participated in the event.

“Venture Atlanta has earned a reputation as one of the best events in the Southeast for developing relationships between entrepreneurs, investors and service providers,” said John Glushik of Durham, N.C.-based Intersouth Partners, a VC firm that has invested in Purewire, a company who secures business and social interactions on the web, and several other Atlanta area companies. “In spite of the current economy, I’ll make the trip again this year because we are still looking for quality deals. Venture Atlanta has a proven track record of providing those opportunities.”

Venture Atlanta is co-hosted by three business organizations in Georgia: Atlanta CEO Council, Metro Atlanta Chamber, and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).

“Venture Atlanta was created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs with the purpose of connecting Georgia’s best companies to tier one investors,” said Ashish Mistry, Venture Atlanta co-founder and Atlanta CEO Council president. “Presenters have always found this conference to be a valuable opportunity from a marketplace visibility aspect as well as for the small things we do, like not charging application or presenter fees.”

In addition to company presentations and quality networking opportunities, Venture Atlanta 2009 will feature a still to-be-announced headline speaker. 

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