TECHTRENDS.BIZ

2006 DEMO Conference

by Victoria Murphy Barret, Forbes Magazine

BURLINGAME, CALIF. - At a resort outside Phoenix, Ariz., this week, 68 companies and some 700 industry-watchers gathered to agree on a familiar premise: Tech is back and roaring.

At the annual DEMO conference, where budding technologists strut their stuff in front of would-be investors and buzzmakers, there was no talk of the recent bust. But there was lots of chatter about consumers eager to get more out of computers, networks and cellular phones.

Complete Article

More info about DEMO Conference

May 22 Event in Orlando

Computerworld’s 4th Annual Mobile &
Wireless World Conference

Connect Proven Mobile & Wireless Solutions to your Enterprise Strategy

May 22–24, 2006
The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida

More info: http://www.mwwusa.com

March 8 Event in Los Angeles

2006 Software Industry Awards
March 8, 2006 - Millennium Biltmore Hotel

The best companies, the brightest people and the most fun.

The Software Industry Awards is celebrating its 12th year of recognizing individuals and companies that have made significant, superior contributions to Southern California's software industry. This event brings together diverse software interests and provides an outstanding opportunity for networking. Everyone involved in the software industry should plan to attend and celebrate the best Southern California has to offer

More info: http://www.scsc.org/awards/index.html

February 18 Event in Pasadena

Nanotechnology – the Revolution Continues
How Big an Industry for the Very Small?

At California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
Saturday, February 18 beginning at 8AM

Nanotechnology embraces scientific research and technology development to control and manipulate matter at an atomic scale, an effort first suggested by the California Institute of Technology’s Richard Feynman.  It holds the promise of numerous avenues to improve our health, our industry, and society in general. 

More info: http://www.entforum.caltech.edu/

Event Review: Guy Kawasaki at FastPitch

I attended the Fast Pitch Competition last night at the UCLA Anderson School.  Guy Kawasaki was the keynote speaker.  Guy is the founder of Garage Technology Ventures and may be best known as Apple Computer's evangelist in the '90s.  His most recent book is The Art of the Start.

Some key points from his insightful and humorous presentation:

-- When starting a company, make meaning.  Ultimate motivation should not be to make money, but to change the world in some respect.

-- Regarding innovation and product development: jump to the next curve or create the next curve

--Ship, then test.  Don't wait until every feature is perfect (biosciences excepted).

-- Polarize people: Some will love your product, some will hate it.

--Develop a mantra, not a mission statement.  Answer "why do you exist" in 3 words.

--Follow the 10/20/30 rule: 10 slides, 20 minutes, 30 point font.

Guy has started writing a new blog.  I highly recommend it.

Event Review: Tony Perkins at OCVG

I attended the the Orange Coast Venture Group breakfast meeting last Tuesday at the Westin South Coast Plaza.  Tony Perkins was the guest speaker.  Tony is the founder of the AlwaysOn network.  He is most known for cofounding Red Herring magazine and Silicon Valley's Churchill Club.  Tony also serves on President George W. Bush's Information Technology Advisory Council.

Some key points from his talk:

--The biggest internet companies are being created now; from 2005-2007.

-- The current generation is the "always on" generation with instant messaging, internet networking,  blogs, and wireless gadgets.

--  One of the biggest trends is consumer-generated media.  The old guard such as the NY Times and network news will never have the power they once had.

-- Patience is important when building a business.  Apple had been in business for almost 10 years when Steve Jobs made the cover of Time magazine as an "overnight sensation".

-- The AlwaysOn network is like a MySpace for adults.

March 30 Event in Savannah

Each year the Inc. 500 celebrates the remarkable achievements of the men and women who have created the 500 fastest-growing private companies in America. For two decades, membership in the Inc. 500 has been the benchmark of excellence among America's best growth companies. Leaders such as Bill Gates of Microsoft, Oracle's Larry Ellison, and Joe Mansueto of Morningstar, and companies ranging from Domino's Pizza to Timberland all first gained renown as members of the Inc. 500.

More info: http://www.inc500conference.com

April 4 Event in Santa Clara

Software 2006: Unifying the Ecosystem
April 4-5, 2006
Santa Clara Convention Center
Santa Clara, CA

Software 2006 is the only event in the $600 billion industry that gathers software companies, customers, investors, service providers, analysts and media in one vendor-neutral forum.

Join 2,500 industry leaders on April 4-5, 2006 at the Santa Clara Convention Center for this third-annual gathering of the software industry.

More info: http://www.software2006.com

January 31 Event in Rancho Mirage

Nanotech Investing Forum

Conference Date:
January  31 - February  1, 2006 

Conference Venue:
The Lodge at Rancho Mirage
68-900 Frank Sinatra Drive , Rancho Mirage , CA -92270
Phone:760-321-8285 

Nanotechnology has the potential for significant commercialization opportunities within the next five years.  This conference provides an inside look at the strategies and expectations of private equity investors.  Hear how they are working with emerging growth companies, labs and universities.

More info: http://www.ibfconferences.com/ibf/viewdetails.asp?lstconfname=158

March 23 Event in NYC

World Innovation Forum

The World Innovation Forum will expose you to proven innovative strategies, theories, and cases, and will give you the tools and frameworks you need to transform them into new profitable products and services.

More info: http://www.hsm-us.com/wif/