Please join us at software Industry Roundtable discussion! As a leader in the software industry, your perspective on Portland’s strengths and challenges, specifically for this industry, are of critical interest to the city of Portland and its partners as we begin the implementation of the city’s newly-adopted Economic Development Strategy.

The Strategy, which was approved by City Council in July 2009, emphasizes job creation and business competitiveness as the path to a sustainable economy, and identifies four industry clusters where the Portland Development Commission (PDC) will concentrate time, talent and resources to meet the Strategy’s goal of 10,000 net new jobs in the city of Portland in the next five years.

We are in the process of gathering intelligence on Portland’s software sector and trying to identify opportunities for growing the cluster. The PDC and the Software Association of Oregon (SAO) are collaborating on a series of software industry round tables to help guide the development of this important industry cluster. Your participation in one of these discussions would be invaluable in advancing the understanding of industry needs.

We invite you to share your business perspective on the following:

· What are Portland’s strengths?

· What are Portland’s challenges?

· How is the current business climate?

· What is the environment for emerging businesses?

· What is missing?

· What segments do you see in the market regarding software in Portland?

Link to the Strategy: http://www.pdxeconomicdevelopment.com/

We appreciate your willingness to participate, and look forward to your candid thoughts and feedback as we work together to address software industry needs and development in Portland. There is no fee to participate, and refreshments will be provided.