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TECHCONNECT
2002
Inaugural series of biotech and IT events brings together industry
leaders for seminars and networking
During an eight-day span, nearly 300 people took part in one or
more in-depth biotech, IT and technology business seminars and business
networking events as part of the inaugural TechConnect 2002 held
July 16 - 25th.
Kicking off TechConnect on July 16th, participants gathered at the
Bandwidth Exchange Buildings Carrier Hotel at 210 N. Tucker to get
a behind-the-scenes look at various high-security Internet infrastructure
tenant companies, including Switch and Data, Cybercon, McLeod, and
Connectria. Guided tours of the facility were complemented by live
Motown music by Marsville, along with food and drink.
A huge pool of talented speakers made up three days of seminars
focused on biotech, IT and technology business, along with a separate
panel discussion on networked embedded systems, and an interactive
visualization workshop for marketing and sales people in technology.
Audiences throughout the region heard presentations from industry
leaders such as Stephen Thaler, founder and president of Imagination
Engines, Inc., on the next generation of artificial intelligence;
John McAlister, president of Tripos, Inc., on the future of biotechnology
in the region and beyond; and Matt Dority from the Missouri Department
of Economic Development on the importance of technology to business
and the economy.
Wrapping up the series on July 25th, guests had the opportunity
to hear firsthand Monsanto’s vision for plant sciences as they spin-off
from Pharmacia and reestablish as an independent company. Robert
T. Fraley, Monsanto’s chief technology officer, delivered the evening’s
keynote address, noting that his company has more than 2,500 employees
who live and work in St. Louis and are proud to call it home.
“Monsanto fully intends to meet our commitments to our stakeholders
and to this community in order to cement our place as the agriculture
industry leader going forward.”
Fraley said St. Louis has a great mix of private companies, entrepreneurs
and academics that make a strong BioBelt for discovery, much of
which is focused on plants.
Following the evening’s program held at the Sheldon Concert Hall,
guests networked during a cocktail reception to live jazz music
by Clave Sol.
TechConnect 2002 organizing sponsors included Technology Gateway
Alliance and the RCGA. The event was presented by Monsanto and IBM,
with additional support from Charter Business Networks. Various
companies and organizations sponsored the individual events during
TechConnect 2002, including Bick Group, presenting sponsor of Tech
Tour, and Sachs Electric, gold sponsor of the Annual TechCelebration.
If you would like to get involved in TechConnect 2003 as a speaker,
sponsor or volunteer, call 314/444-1194 or e-mail techrcga@stlrcga.org.
The
Annual TechCelebration Gala held July 25th at the
Sheldon Concert Hall was the grand finale of TechConnect
2002, a series of biotech and IT seminars and networking
events organized by Technology Gateway Alliance and
the St. Louis RCGA, presented by Monsanto and IBM,
and supported by Charter Business Networks. The Annual
TechCelebration Gala was presented by Sachs Electric
Company.
(right)
BRUCE HOSKINS,
marketing director, G. A. Sullivan (center) ROBERT
T. FRALEY, chief technology officer, Monsanto
(right) Brian HANDRIGAN,
director of technology strategy, Marketing Direct
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