I am exploring options for a creating Gulf Coast Technology Collaborative.
There are a few technology-based groups in the area, but they’re topic-specific. What I would like to create with some help is a very broad-based tech group that will serve several purposes:
- to foster innovation among individuals outside of a work environment
- to keep abreast of emerging technologies
- to provide professional development opportunities
- to provide “networking opportunities”, and to pave the way for incoming tech professionals
- to provide corporate and educational outreach
- to serve our respective communities
Ultimately I would like to see working groups for Hardware, Software, Operating Systems, Security, Professional Presence, Mobile Technologies, Network Technologies, Certification Study, New Media, and Graphics/Imaging.
Working in one group would not preclude working in another group, and members of groups, or whole groups themselves, could collaborate on projects.
My vision for this is not a tightly structured, mandated “meeting every week” organization. In fact, most collaboration can now be done online, and groups and sub-groups can meet as necessary, with a quarterly all-groups meeting, and an annual expo with all projects presented.
I don’t want to put a lot of effort into this if I can’t find enough interest to make it worth it. But employers don’t want to pay for training, and technology is always moving. Imagine if your boss is considering a new technology and you knew someone in the Collaborative who is a subject matter expert on that technology–you could become the subject matter expert for your company.
If you’re interested, get in touch with me in one of the following ways:
- Leave a comment below
- send an email to thisgeekiknowemail@gmail.com
- send me a tweet at @thisgeekiknow
If you’re not interested, but know someone who might be, please pass this on to them.