TAO Is ... Plans for 2018

At the end of 2017 Technology Association of Oregon highlighted ten ways we leveraged the strength of our members to benefit the greater tech community over the last year. Last night at our 6th Annual Kickoff Party we revealed our goals for 2018 and had a great time connecting our community at our first networking event for the year.

Over the next year, we look forward to hosting programs and events, providing thought leadership and marketing opportunities, and advocating on behalf of the regional technology industry - and hope you and your company will join us.

VOCAL
As the voice of our members and the tech community, our team will be supporting technology training and education throughout the state, improving the business environment so technology companies can continue to innovate and scale, and educating and informing state and local policymakers on the latest technology issues ranging from data privacy and security to the future of mobility and smart infrastructure.

INCLUSIVE
We are constantly looking to move the needle forward on efforts to attract a more diverse industry. In 2018 we will provide targeted diversity programming for senior tech leaders, the launch of the Apprenti training program, and more programs from Bend STEAM.

EMPOWERING
In the coming year, we will showcase our growing tech industry to job seekers through Talent Match and Tech Tours, support a salary survey to provide real data to the local market and invite innovative ideas to shine at four Ignite TAO events across the state.

INVESTING
Check out new initiatives in 2018 like Lunch & Learn, expansion of impactful programs like Hack for a Cause, new partnerships with East Cascade Workforce Investment Board, and strengthening partnerships with US Ignite and Mozilla Foundation.

ENGAGING
Traditional programs like Oregon Tech Awards and Communities & Labs will continue to provide opportunities for company and employee engagement. We are really excited to offer new initiatives like the K-16 Computer Science Pathways Committee and expand successful events like the Hack for a Cause, Tech Kickball Tournament, and Experience Oregon Tech state-wide!

CHAMPIONING
TAO membership includes a variety of companies, community partners, and service sectors, and our job is to balance member needs and those of the general community. Watch for ways your company can leverage our association partnerships with NIST, Prosper Portland, Elevate Lane County, Economic Development for Central Oregon, and others in 2018.

INNOVATIVE
We are thrilled to represent and connect a region that is driven by innovation and constantly moving forward. In 2018 we’ll be focusing efforts on providing resources and promoting CyberOregon, Computer Science Regional Advisory Partnership, and Cascadia Venture Acceleration Network among other programs that impact the technology community.

INFORMATIVE
Regular write-ups from Skip Newberry in Portland Business Journal and TAO staff in the Cascade Business News, revamped Talk Tech To Me podcasts, and new thought leader content and blog opportunities are just a few ways we will continue to utilize our wide network of partners and programming to reach local, national and international audiences in 2018.

CONNECTIVE
Our expanded statewide presence provides avenues for a variety of industries and peers to build connections and share expertise. In 2018 we look forward to hosting more events and programming like Tech Kickball, Member Engagement Webinars, Lunch & Learns, and regional Happy Hours to bring together a broader tech audience.

GROWING
Quality growth is important to TAO. We look forward to thoughtfully adding to our membership in 2018 with targeted outreach to the manufacturing, healthcare, cybersecurity and smart city sectors. Our expanded team of nine that support our regional and statewide initiatives will continue to support our thriving ecosystem throughout Oregon and SW Washington.