Greetings!
This past week the Milken Institute released their 2010 report on the best performing metros in the nation for creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. Region 2000 ranked 35 out of 200, up from 60th place last year. The real news here is that one of the categories they rank is 5 year High-Tech growth in the GDP and we ranked 3rd in the nation. We are home to growing industries in energy, wireless, advanced manufacturing, and engineering. These industries support numerous companies that never get noticed but it's the sum of all the parts of our Technology Community that gets us ranked in lists like this one. Our mission at the R2TC is to foster an environment that stimulates innovation and growth of technology-focused organizations in Virginia's Region 2000 and I want to thank you for working with us towards this goal. It's good news like this that validates our efforts and inspires us to do even more.
Jonathan Whitt, Executive Director
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 | Wired Wednesday Luncheon - November 3
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Our next Wired Wednesday luncheon will be held on November 3rd from Noon until 1:30PM at the Holiday Inn on Main Street, Lynchburg. Karen Jackson, Deputy Secretary of Technology for the Commonwealth of Virginia will be presenting. Ms. Jackson will be discussing the role her office plays in growing technology opportunities in the Commonwealth.
The cost is $10 for Tech Council Members and $15 for non-members. Wired Wednesdays are great for networking; come join us.
Register Online >>>
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| Future Focus EXPO - Record Attendance!
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Held each October, our Future Focus EXPO is an event that brings together industry and education in a trade-show format where students can explore science and technolog y career opportunities within Region 2000 and participate in a series of technology challenges.
Our 5th Annual Future Focus EXPO was held on October 12 at Liberty University and more than 2500 area middle and high school students were in attendance to meet with 60+ exhibitors.
This year Bedford County and Lynchburg City Schools bused in all their 8th grade students during the day. At one point, more than 1200 kids were in the exhibit area meeting with local companies and participating in hands-on challenges. Later in the evening, teams of local middle schools participated in one of four technology themed challenges. Congratulations to the following first place teams:
AREVA Green Energy Challenge > Staunton River Middle School
Babcock & Wilcox Energy Challenge > Denne Homeshcool Group
Centra Healthcare Challenge > Dunbar Middle School
LU School of Aviation Aeronautics Challenge > James River Day School
WileylWilson/CAER Engineering Challenge > James River Day School
Thank you to all the volunteers that made this year's event such a big success!
www.futurefocusexpo.com >>>
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| Tech@Breakfast - December 7
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 This event is all about networking - get to know other local technology companies of all sizes. This quarterly breakfast meeting features three R2TC member companies that will give 10 minute presentations about their business and/or upcoming technologies within their industry. Fast paced and fun with opportunities for Q&A. Member companies are not announced ahead of time so you never know who you might be hearing from - don't miss these...door prizes will be given out.
Tech@Breakfast will be held at the Wingate Inn from 7:30-8:45AM and the cost is $10 per person for R2TC members, $15 for non-members.
Register Online >>>
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| LEGO Tournament Volunteers Needed-Nov 6
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CVCC, the Tech Council, Timberlake Christian School and the Region 2000 Tech Prep Consortium is gearing up for our annual FIRST LEGO League regional tournament.
FLL introduces elementary and middle school students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.
Our regional tournament will be held on November 6 at TCS where we'll host the largest FLL event in the state of Virginia. We are in need of volunteers to help work the event. Roles to be filled on Saturday from 7:30 am - 5:00 pm include:
· Judges
· Referees
· Practice pit managers
· Field managers
· Scorekeepers
· Traffic controllers
· Set-up Teams are also needed on Friday from 3:00 - 5:30pm
Free VA/DC FLL t-shirts for everyone, plus we'll feed you breakfast and lunch. Call today and volunteer for this fun event, you'll be glad you did! Contact Barbara Bragg at 832-7672 or email her at Barbara Bragg
Read more about this year's challenge here >>>
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| 2011 Get Set Magazine Debut
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The 2011 edition of our Get Set magazine debuted at Future Focus EXPO. This year's cover story features Team Edison 2 and their X-Prize winning Very Light Car. Ask your teenager to share their copy with you or visit our website to see the online version. The Get Set magazine showcases local technology companies and programs that help students gain interest in sci-tech careers. The magazine is distributed to more than 15,000 area middles school students through their schools and is published in conjunction with Central Virginia Community College.
GET SET Website >>>
GET SET Facebook Page >>>
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