Hallmark Events Bring Industry and Education Together

by Molly Moore, SAO vice president

Abstract:

Software can mean big business for Oregon, but innovation and education are critical components for continued growth. Two hallmark events will highlight industry-education partnerships for innovation, provide networking opportunities, and support technology education.

Article:

Join us for the Software Innovation Showcase, October 18th at OMSI

Software plays a key role in Oregon’s economy. As a recognized industry cluster, software has a rich infrastructure of companies serving a multitude of industries. Our software cluster is defined by companies that build and sell software products, those that embed software in hardware devices, and the IT organizations that use software every day to achieve their business goals. All of these companies and technologies can mean big business to Oregon—providing new opportunities for companies of all sizes, in all industries, and in all parts of the state. You’ll see a rich representation of them at this year’s Software Innovation Showcase.

At the Software Innovation Showcase you will:

• Meet the cutting-edge software companies in our state and see their latest innovations
• See the latest and greatest from our research institutions
• Meet the next generation of knowledge workers from our local universities and high schools

With over 30 exhibitors and many poster sessions highlighting ongoing research, there’s something for everyone at the Software Innovation Showcase. In addition to companies, we included both high schools and higher education in this program. We want to showcase technology-oriented activities underway in our schools—programs that are often hidden from industry's busy eye. In addition, a critical component of the innovation economy is effective partnerships among universities, federal labs and industry to commercialize research in the most expedient way possible. Finally, a highly trained workforce with cutting-edge skills is critical to the industry’s success.

We encourage you to attend to see what Oregon’s technology sector has to offer. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet attendees and exhibitors, recruit staff, attract investors and play your part in developing Oregon’s innovation economy.

The Software Innovation Showcase will be held at OMSI on October 18th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Sponsors for this event include Microsoft, First Tech Credit Union, Ater Wynne LLP, Digimarc and the City of Beaverton.

Stock your wine cellar in the name of technology education at SAO’s Benefit Gala!

On November 12, join us for a fun evening—see old friends and meet new ones, learn to program a LEGO robot from our student teachers, and enjoy Oregon’s amazing wine and beer. Amidst the many silent auction items, raffles throughout the evening and yummy appetizers, we will be pouring wine in support of technology education. ''Teaching Teachers'' is our goal, and this wine-tasting event helps make it possible. For the evening, 20% of all wine purchases, and 100% of the silent auction will be donated to the SAO Foundation.

What is the SAO Foundation?

The SAO is deeply committed to the computer science education of our young people, and created the Foundation in 2003 as a means to provide enhanced technology training to middle and high school teachers.

Tomorrow’s information technology workforce will be central to Oregon’s economic vitality and its ability to innovate. To be competitive, we must grow and strengthen this investment in our future. The Foundation believes this workforce will only develop as a result of thoughtful investments in education, specifically in:

• Building conduits to connect teachers with experienced industry resources Providing professional development for teachers
• Supporting technology-related courses that challenge students to develop critical thinking skills

Building a “foundation” for tomorrow’s IT workforce

The SAO Foundation vision is to bring industry and education together in a partnership that builds the “foundation” for tomorrow’s IT workforce. This effort will focus on two key areas:

• Giving technology teachers the tools and support they need to teach their students
• Awakening student interest in technology

So join us for a fun evening of networking with industry leaders, teachers and students, and enjoy Oregon’s wonderful bounty all while supporting the future of the Oregon software industry—our kids!

The Benefit Gala will be held at the Tiffany Center in downtown Portland on November 12th from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. Sponsors for this event include Synopsys, Inspiration Software, Qsent, Unicru and the City of Beaverton.

For more information on either of these events, please visit www.sao.org/events