What Will Happen At Toronto Tech Week 2010?
Last month we hosted our first Toronto Tech Week Town Hall where we layed out the plans for 2010, if you missed the event you can download the roap map we have for October 2010 – Toronto Tech Week - 2001 Road Map (32).
Toronto Tech Week Town Hall – February 10
We have started the planning for Toronto Tech Week 2010 which will take place in the fall of this year and invite you to attend our next Town Hall meeting to learn about speaking, sponsoring, exhibiting, showcase and volunteers. Basically all the different ways to have you or your company can be involved in Toronto Tech Week.
Toronto Tech Week 2010 will have full week of events that cater to advertisers, entrepreneurs, marketers, public relations and technology professionals. Each day will have a specific event and focus.
Toronto Tech Week is a not-for-profit industry trade organization committed to helping bring the City’s vision of the GTA as one of the top five globally-recognized technology clusters to reality. Our vision is to annually host a week long series of events, together with the City, in which all industry stakeholders play a part – and to form the umbrella entity under which Toronto’s technology industry comes together – to connect, share knowledge, help each other grow, and to have some fun while doing this.
Agenda:
- Opportunities to get involved
- Events – update on Toronto Tech Week and partner events
- Committees/ Volunteering – update on Marketing, Communications, Events
- Sponsorship – update on sponsors and other opportunities
Job Listing: Conference Sponsorship Sales Professional
The Organization:
Toronto Tech Week is a not-for-profit industry trade organization committed to helping bring the City’s vision of the GTA as one of the top five globally-recognized technology clusters to reality. Our vision is to annually host a week long series of events, together with the City, in which all industry stakeholders play a part – and to form the umbrella entity under which Toronto’s technology industry comes together – to connect, share knowledge, help each other grow, and to have some fun while doing this.
The Role:
Via direct sales efforts and coordination with team, the salesperson will sell sponsorships locally and globally, to companies that are relevant to each event. This position will be based Toronto.
Responsibilities:
-Develop and execute a sales plan
-Coordinate with Toronto Tech Week counterparts as needed on accounts that present
integrated revenue opportunity
-Maintain a database of contacts at client and prospect companies
-Produce regular activity/contact reports and revenue pipeline estimates
-Develop and present customized sponsorship proposals
-Ability to identify qualified, prospective clients and develop loyal customer relationships via telephone within an assigned market.
-Internet research, prospecting, probing, lead generation, cold calling and closing.
-Consistently being able to persuade the customer into a “positive” buying commitment in addition to possessing the necessary “closing” skills.
-Able to clearly uncover the customer’s individual needs while accurately testing specific solutions for a strong match.
Qualifications:
-2+ years of conference sponsorship sales experience recommended
-Experience with financial conference sponsorship sales is strongly preferred
-Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is a necessity
-Hunter not a farmer
- Passion for selling to C-Lever Executives
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade Trade Mission 2010 – 2011
Here is a list of upcoming trade missions where the International Trade Branch of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) organizes trade programs to the US and around the world.
Sectors: IT and security U.S. System integrators · Spring 2010 · Ontario
A delegation of five US system integrators is interested in meeting with innovative Ontario-based suppliers of IT products and services. Details to come
Sectors: IT and Security Washington DC · June 2010 · Washington, DC
For the second time, eight experienced Ontario IT and security companies are invited to join a trade mission to Washington D.C. This mission offers participating companies valuable face-to-face market contacts, one-one-one meetings and information about selling to the U.S. government and private sector partners in the Washington D.C. area.
COST: US $1,500 per company (Early bird registration $1,200). Note: 40+ companies in the waiting list
Sectors: Security ASIS · Oct. 12-14, 2010 · Dallas, TX
For the second time, eight Ontario security companies will exhibit within the Ontario pavilion at ASIS 2010 (www.asisonline.org) and receive several value-added benefits. ASIS is the premiere security event attracting more than 23,000 security professionals and hosting the largest marketplace of security technologies, products and services. Confirmed exhibitors at ASIS include Honeywell, Panasonic, ADT, Johnson Controls, ITT and Ingersoll Rand. The 2009 Ontario mission to ASIS received a 94% satisfaction rating.
COST: US $2,200 per company (Early bird registration $1,800 valid to July 31, 2010). Note: 4 spaces still available
Sectors: Simulation, Security, e-Learning I/ITSEC 2010 · Nov. 29 – Dec. 2, 2010 · Orlando, FL
For the third time, eight Ontario-based IT companies will have the opportunity to exhibit in the award-winning Ontario Pavilion at I/ITSEC (www.iitsec.org) and receive several value-added benefits. The event attracts 16,000 attendees from over 40 countries and 500 exhibiting companies from the IT security, training and simulation sectors including U.S. prime contractors, large integrators and distributors such as SAIC, Lockheed Martin, L3Comm, Adobe, HP, CAE, Rockwell and BAE systems. The 2009 Ontario mission to I/ITSEC received a 90% satisfaction rating.
COST: US $2,200 per company (Early bird registration $1,800). Note: 4 spaces still available
Sectors: IT and security U.S. System integrators · December 2010 · Ontario (TBD)
A delegation of five US system integrators is interested in meeting with innovative Ontario-based suppliers of IT products and services. Details to come
Sectors: Internet telephony, Cloud Computing ITEXPO 2011 · Winter 2011 · Miami Beach, FL
Eight companies with VoIP and related technologies will exhibit in the award-winning Ontario Pavilion (# 512) at Internet Telephony Expo 2010 – ITEXPO (www.tmcnet.com/voip/conference) and receive several value-added benefits. ITEXPO attracts over 6,000 executives from companies in the Internet voice application, wireless, video and Internet TV, instant messaging and social media sectors. The 2010 Ontario mission to ITEXPO received a (TBD) satisfaction rating.
Sectors: Wireless, Telecommunications CTIA · March 2011 · Las Vegas, NV
Eight wireless companies will exhibit in the Ontario Pavilion at CTIA Wireless (www.ctiawireless.com) and receive several value-added benefits. CTIA attracts about 100,000 executives and 1,000 exhibitors from companies representing all facets of the wireless and communications sectors.
Selected testimonials 2009-2010 Ontario IT missions to the US
Ontario mission to I/ITSEC (Nov.-Dec. 2009) Delegates’ satisfaction ranking: 90%
The exposure we had and level of business contacts were great (especially for the guest at the breakfast sessions). The booth and huge Canadian maple leaf drew a lot of positive attention. Mauricio was great to work with.
Provided excellent exposure to a new market for our company, including medical simulation in Greater Orlando, Lockheed Martin, Northrop-Grumman.
Very professionally run and gave a very positive corporate impression to all convention attendees. Very ‘can-do’ attitude from the government staff. Aggressive and professional in funneling people to the booth. Overall, wonderful exposure run by very professional people.
Ontario mission to ASIS (September 2009) Delegates’ satisfaction ranking: 94%
The breakfast with ASIS GLA was excellent. It allowed for the members of the GLA to explain what each one does and allowed us to target specific members. I was able to obtain an excellent and interesting lead as well as another potential lead.
Our objective was to find distributors in new markets. By second day, we found potential distributors for Europe, South and Central America, as well as the two largest security distributors in the US. Also, the ice wine tasting brought an incredible amount of traffic. Great idea! Mauricio did a fantastic job.
We would not have exhibited at ASIS if we had not been on the Ontario booth. It really helped us to have several very large prospective customers come to the booth and enjoy the wine tasting. Definitely helps with our growth in the US market.
Ontario mission to Washington DC (June 2009) Delegates’ satisfaction ranking: 86%
After participating in our first mission…we were incredibly impressed by the scope, reach and impact of the mission. The planned agenda was full of value for our company and it was executed masterfully by our host, Mauricio Ospina and his team. These events and meetings enabled us to build relationships at key organizations that may have taken years to establish otherwise. We would not hesitate to participate again and strongly encourage other firms to also take advantage of the fast-track the missions provide to penetrate new markets.
Government-arranged meetings are more effective than our own arranged meetings. We will come back again if another mission is planned.
Ontario mission to ITEXPO (February 2009) Delegates’ satisfaction ranking: 96%
The exhibition was very good for my company. We made over 50 strong sales leads and closed 5 deals on returning to Canada. We also formed a partnership with one of the largest distributors of VoIP hardware in the USA. Our booth location was great and the elevator pitch was great.
This program is fantastic for us. We would not have come if we had to get our own 10×10 (booth). Being in the Ontario pavilion gives us immediate credibility and visibility. The show has been fantastic for us – we have secured two immediate large resellers and about ten more, plus two new partners in a whole new type of channel for us that we had not had realized. Mauricio makes the whole organization of the event super smooth and he is so focused on the quality, effectiveness and value of the event to us. Please continue this program.
Ontario mission to I/ITSEC (Nov.—Dec. 2008) Delegates’ satisfaction ranking: 90.5%
The Ontario trade representatives did a terrific job of introducing us to key local contacts and provided us with a strategically located kiosk at the show. We will be increasing our exports to the US quite substantially. This is my second time coming to an Ontario-sponsored show and both times were productive, well organized and potentially lucrative to our Mississauga firm.
For small business, trade shows are very important part of our marketing activities. However, many times the show proves to be not cost-effective for us. This program really allows us the market exposure we are looking for at an affordable cost and the quality is excellent. The entire program is very well organized and we really feel positive that this is the best program we have attended in a long time.
- CONTACT: Mauricio Ospina, Area Director USA – ICT
mauricio.ospina@ontario.ca, Tel (416) 325 6151
John Tory Bows Out Of Race To Be Next Mayor Of Toronto
Looks like John Tory has decided to focus his time elsewhere and will not make attempts to run for election to be the next Mayor of Toronto. Looks like it will be time to update the list of candidates that are still in the running.
The Race Is On, Who Will Be The Next Mayor Of Toronto?
A number of candidate have thrown their name into the hat as they battle to become the next Mayor of Toronto. Of course readers of this blog and attendees of Toronto tech week will watching to see how the candidates use social media and other technology as part of their campaign. We are still in the early days of the political race so no official word yet as to how each candidate will do for Toronto business and technology sector.
Some of the candidate to take over for Mayor David Miller include Former Ontario Conservative Leader John Tory and former Ontario cabinet minister George Smitherman and former Liberal party’s National Director Rocco Rossi.
Open Call For Startups To Present At Showcase Toronto 2
We are gearing up for our “Showcase Toronto 2″ event that will take place in downtown Toronto March 2010, our “Toronto Showcase 1” event was a success as attendees had an opportunity to network (some even walked away with new business) and the presenting start ups had a chance to wow the audience.
Toronto-based start ups, we want to hear from you, drop us a line and let’s get you involved in our next event.
Be sure to check back as we’re also getting ready for Toronto Tech Week 2010 which will take place in this fall.
Did You Know Toronto Is The Third Largest ICT (Technology) Cluster In North America?
Last year as we were preparing the promotion for Toronto Tech Week we pulled some statistics that help paint a picture as to why Toronto is the 3rd Largest ICT ( Information and Communication Technology) sector in North America, behind San Francisco and New York.
Why Toronto Is The 3rd Largest ICT cluster?
- Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) companies employ more than 148,000 people in the GTA
- More than 22,000 people work for companies that develop software in the GTA
- 64,000 people in GTA work in providing technology services
- 26,000 people in GTA develop Systems Technology
- Annual sales are estimated to be in the $30 to $35 billion range and upwards, with exports in the neighbourhood of $6 billion.
- 9% of the ICT workforce works full time on development of new products and services
- GTA is home to over 3,362 ICT facilities
- GTA is North America’s 3rd largest technology cluster, after Silicon Valley and New York
- Over 100 research and development centres are located in GTA universities/colleges.
- University of Toronto has more than 50 ICT research centres
- Ryerson University has more than 20 ICT research centres
- GTA home to top ICT industry leaders: Rogers, Celestica, Xerox, Sony, IBM, CGI, Oracle, MDS, HP Canada
- Canada’s largest software development company, IBM Toronto Software Lab employs more than 2000 people in the GTA
- GTA technology companies are growing in number — 19,740 in 2002 26,936 in 2007
- In 2007, 23,091 companies provided computer systems design and related services in GTA
- In 2007, 51 companies in the GTA provided broadcasting and Wireless Communication Equipment
We have a powerful community of people and companies that make up Toronto ICT sector. This is something to take pride in and celebrate our amazing accomplishment! Feel free to tell others, we all win in the long run…
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Advertisement: Register for our upcoming Showcase Toronto event on November 4th
Who Is Presenting At Our Showcase Toronto 1 Event On November 4?
We have two great Toronto-based start ups presenting at our Showcase Toronto event on November 4th, here’s a quick run down on the companies:
Marcus Anderson, Founder of Broadplay Inc.
Broadplay Inc., incorporated in 2002 and is a thriving, full service digital marketing agency serving a roster of respected national companies.
The core focus of Broadplay Mobile, a division of Broadplay, is in mobile marketing utilizing its proprietary text messaging platform to deliver mobile solutions to a 100% market reach through creative and innovative mobile strategy. The Broadplay Team core team is comprised of individuals with experience and expertise in a number of industry verticals including wireless, consumer packaged goods, retail, health-care and food services.
Lauren Friese is the founder of TalentEgg.ca
TalentEgg in an eggshell: TalentEgg is a popular career planning site for Canadian students and recent graduates, helping Generation Y navigate the ’school to work’ transition.
Showcase Toronto 1 – November 4
You are invited to join us on November 4th as the team behind Toronto Tech Week hosts “Toronto Showcase – 1″, our gathering of Toronto’s business crowd. The event brings together professionals from the technology industry, and other such as advertising, accounting, public relations and finance come out to exchange ideas and make new business connections.
Toronto is the 3rd largest ICT cluster in North America and we have a lot of great talent but typically don’t tell the world! This is your chance entrepreneurs and start ups. The global recession has had an impact on everyone, this is your chance to start your own stimulus program and get out and network with other business professionals. Toronto Tech Week presents ‘Toronto Showcase,’ our series of events where we bring together professionals and give an opportunity to Toronto-based businesses to do four things:
- Business Development
- Education
- Networking
- Showcase
Meet and Greet: Tough year, a great way to stimulate growth for your company is to
get out and shake some hands! Bring your business cards, pre-register for a name tag
and make some new connections.
Battle Round: Entrepreneurs go head to head in a 60 second elevator pitch. All businesses help grow
the sector, but the audience will judge the best pitch.
People’s Choice: We’re picking a few Toronto-based companies who are disrupting the market place with
their innovation product/ service and have their CEO share a few lessons they have learned along the way.
Special Guest Speaker: Michael Hyatt, CEO/ Co-Founder of BlueCat Networks will share how he’s been able to grow his company to be come one of the top in their industry. BlueCat Networks has won countless awards since their inception including Red Herring’s Top Private Canadian Companies and Deloitte Technology Fast 50.
Elevator Pitches By: www.talentegg.ca & www.broadplay.com
Your registration also included a complimentary drink tickets and hors d’overs will be served.
Pre-Register – $25
At-the-Door – $30
We’ll be holding the event in the new venue in downtown Toronto, Spice Safar.
Great speakers! Great networking! Register today.
(Ask us how your company can be part of the elevator pitch portion)
Thanks to the team at http://www.gatheringseventplanning.com for their support for this event.
Thanks to the team at
http://BusinessCast.ca
for their media/ podcast support for this event.
Media Sponsor:
