If you are trying to get products delivered to Asia and specifically the Chinese market logistics can be a challenge to say the least. At this round table discussion, lead by Michael Mulder FTS Environmental, we will explore join effort possibilities as well as freight and container consolidation and optimization strategies. The group will also be looking to identify other professionals, willing to lead discussions, who deal with other aspects of supply chain management. As with all VIATeC hosted round table discussions this is a great opportunity to network and learn from peers who face similar challenges on a regular basis. Register here.
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Round Table Profile
Business development is typically top of mind for most companies. The more you focus the better it gets, so why not start the year off right with this VIATeC hosted roundtable discussion. Be part of a lively group, led by Rob Cooper (PlusROI Marketing), on Business Development, Marketing & Sales. Getting unfettered access to Rob and the rest of the group, for free, is a great way to stay on top of the latest trends and work on your own professional development. Group discussions also allow for networking and learning in a way that is only possible when you are working with your peers. Register here.
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SXSW – Tectoria House is a GO!
We’ve done it again. We’ve found accommodation that will house lots of Tectorians at SXSW. Last year three local tech firms joined us and we hope you’re among them this year. We assume that you know what SXSW is, but if you don’t, check it out HERE. Tectoria House is less than 3 miles from downtown and we will have a rental car to shuttle people daily. We have something for just about every budget – from King beds to sleeping bags on the floor. So if you are ready to head to the tech/film/music event of the year to take in keynotes, network your face off or spread the word about what you’re working on, send Robbie a note and book your spot: raylesworth@viatec.ca
Check out the accommodations here.
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Food Bank Challenge Winners
While every company involved deserves a solid pat on the back, special congratulations go out to the five companies that made the 2013 Food Bank Challenge Podium. As previously mentioned, the names we announced as the winners last Friday night were, shall we say, less than correct. For this we truly apologize.
Now, we present to you THE REAL WINNERS of the
2013 VIATeC Food Bank Challenge:
Greatest Overall Contributor
Greatest per Employee Contributor
Their creativity and dedication have truly made a difference in the lives of their Victoria neighbours, and they’ve once again proven how vital the tech sector is to our city. Well done folks, well done!
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A Look Back at Discover Tectoria
We were aiming for a big crowd but were blown away by the 4,500 people that came through the doors at Discover Tectoria 2013. The event was a massive success no matter which way you measure it, and it’s a testament to the profile the sector now enjoys and how fascinating the services and products created here really are.
With so much to do and see, chances are you weren’t able to see everything Discover Tectoria 2013 had to offer. So here are some of the top recaps of what turned out to be an iconic day in Tectoria history……
Official Recap by UberVideo
A selection of photos from the event:
Prefer a written recap? No problem, among many others, both TechVibes and the Times Colonist published articles about the event.
Thanks again to all of our sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, organizers, and volunteers. You’ve set a very high standard for Discover Tectoria 2015.
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Discover Tectoria 2013 – Your Insider’s Guide
Ladies and Gentlemen: Start your Engines…… and robots, and video games, and smoke shows, and………. Oh man this is gonna be epic.
Pay attention and we’ll give you a heads up, an insider’s scoop, if you will, on what to expect, when to be where, what not to miss, and how to win some PRIZES!
Where is this event anyway?
Discover Tectoria is happening at The Crystal Gardens at 713 Douglas St.
What do I need to bring?
We’re raising money for the VIATeC Food Bank Challenge in support of Victoria’s Mustard Seed, so this is how it works. Everyone falls into one of the following categories.
- You’re in the know, and you, therefore, downloaded a free ticket. Great! Please bring your ticket, on paper or your phone, and one non-perishable food item with you.
- Unfortunately, you missed the download, and don’t have a free ticket. Please bring two non perishable food items with you, then sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss the next one. http://eepurl.com/Jlq99
- Unfortunately, you missed the download, don’t have a free ticket, and didn’t bring a food item or cash to donate. Come on people! #TechFansGiveCans. But yah, you’re probably still a good person, so we’ll let you in anyway. Or, you could sing us a song? It’s just a suggestion.
Anyway, moving on:
When should I show up?
The event runs from 11am – 6pm, but if you’d like to be a wee bit more strategic, pay attention to the following:
- The Keynote speeches by Bob McDonald and Ann Makosinski begin at 3:15pm. If you’ve registered for these speeches, you’ll want to arrive a few hours before that to ensure you see all of the exhibitors as well.
- Camosun College Presents Mr. Wizard Rocketsauce Show – 11:15am, 12:45pm, 2:00pm
- Coding for Kids by Mozilla – 12:00pm, 1:15pm
- If you don’t have tickets to the keynote speeches, I’d highly recommend heading to the event around 2:30pm. You know, ’cause the lines might be a little shorter.
What’s there to do besides the scheduled presentations above?
There’s absolutely nothing to do or see besides the above events. ARE YOU CRAZY?? There’s so much to do and see:
- More than 70 exhibitors
- The Innovation Showcase (all the big, shiny, cool stuff that can’t fit in a booth)
- Tectoria Video Game Lounge – 19 Victoria gaming companies set to blow your mind
- and SO MUCH MORE – Check it all out here, if you actually need more motivation
Post, Tweet, Click, and Sign Up your way to Prizes
Here are the keys to walking away a winner:
- Our social media accounts are going to be in full force, tweeting, posting, tagging, Instagramming and much more. For the latest, up to the second info, and to see what everyone at the event is talking about, log in often, and contribute to the #DiscoverTectoria conversation. And please, please, please, take a ton of ridiculous, off the wall, insane pics to share with us.
- To win any of the prizes, you must have signed up for the This Week in Tectoria Newsletter.
- Today is the launch of @Tectoriagram – our new Instagram account. To celebrate, we’re giving away a prize for Best Tectoriagram photo at the event. Don’t forget to mention us!
- The hashtag for today’s event is #DiscoverTectoria and we’re giving away a prize for most creative tweet. Don’t forget to mention us (@VIATeC) and include the hashtag!
Keynote Speakers:
Bob McDonald
Loved by audiences across Canada for making complex scientific issues understandable, meaningful, and fun, Bob McDonald is in high demand. A fixture in broadcasting for more than 30 years, he is currently the host of CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks, the award-winning science program that is heard by 500,000 people each week. He is the author of numerous bestselling books, and a member of the Order of Canada.
In addition to hosting Quirks & Quarks, McDonald is a regular reporter for CBC TV’s The National. As a writer, he has authored three science books, and contributed to numerous science textbooks, magazines, and newspapers, including The Globe and Mail. His latest book is Measuring the Earth with a Stick.
McDonald has been honoured for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of science within Canada. He is a recipient of the “Michael Smith Award” from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council; the “Sir Sanford Fleming Medal” from the Royal Canadian Institute; and the “McNeil Medal” from The Royal Society of Canada. He also won a 2008 Gemini Award for “Best Host in a Pre-School, Children’s or Youth Program or Series.” He holds six honorary doctorates from Canadian universities.
Ann Makosinski
You may recognize Ann as the 15-year-old Victoria student who won top prize in Google’s annual global science fair this year. Makosinski, whose entry was chosen from among thousands to represent Canada at Google’s global fair in California, created what she dubbed ‘The Hollow Flashlight,’ to show how humans can be a source of thermal energy.
Just last week Ann was also chosen by Time Magazine as one of the 30 People Under 30 Changing the World. She’s only half way to 30 years old!
Ann will speak about her experience at Google’s science fair and how she first came up with the idea of making the flashlight. There will also be a Q&A period where members of the audience can ask Ann their questions.
Food, Glorious Food
A great event needs great food. We’ve got not one, not two, but three of Victoria’s most popular food trucks parking right out front of the Crystal Gardens.
Leave your lunch at home.
Are you coming to Discover Tectoria Today? What are you most excited for? Do you have any questions?
Post your comments, questions, and concerns below.
And if you’re at the event, swing by and visit us at the VIATeC table.
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Results are in for the Food Bank Challenge
Food Bank Challenge
What’s less predictable than the NCAA Final Four? The lengths Victoria tech companies will go to raise money for a worthy cause.
For three weeks, dozens of Tectoria companies competed to see who could raise the most food and money for The Mustard Seed Food Bank.
Keep in mind that we’ll be accepting donations at Discover Tectoria today as well, so these totals aren’t complete. However, look how much we’ve raised so far!
- Total Cash: $81,297.22
- Total Pounds of Food: 3,440
- Total Combined Value: $89,897.22
- Grand Total Since 2002: $1,663,354.22
Everyone involved should be INCREDIBLY proud of themselves. The team results and final numbers will be announced at tonight’s VIATeC Christmas Party, and what a great reason to celebrate.
So how did these companies raise so much food and money? Creativity baby, creativity.
They jumped in the ocean, one CEO did so while still wearing his suit, they dawned Sumo Wrestler Suits and sparred below Wharf St, there were canned food tower competitions, silent auctions, ridiculous outfits, a ton of tweeting and posting, and a great deal of good old fashioned generosity.
Here’s a small snippet of what we saw…….. The first Harbour Hop, (yes, there were two) I can personally attest to being cold as hell. However, when Helm CEO, Ron deBruyne jumped in a week later, it was literally freezing outside. Well done Ron, well done. They even made the paper!
Ron deBruyne takes a dip for charity
Will Helm win the Food Bank Challenge? Or will it be Quimper, Contech, Smart Dolphin, Starfish, or one of the many other incredible companies that have made such a massive difference in the lives of their neighbours this Christmas?
You’ll find out this evening at the VIATeC Christmas Party. Can’t make the party? Don’t worry. We’ll have all of the Food Bank Challenge results, AND a full recap of Discover Tectoria, the Christmas Party and more, in our very special Christmas Newsletter edition next week.
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A VIATeC Christmas – 2 Parties 1 Night
2…………..2 Christmas Parties, ha ha ha ha
That’s right. It’s gotten so big, we’ve split this year’s VIATeC Christmas Party into two. Here’s what you need to know:
VIATeC Members – PLEASE REGISTER EARLY.
Part 1 -Networking & Nibbles plus Tyler Harvey
5:00 – 7:30 at Rifflandia HQ, 1501 Douglas Street.
This part is for our friends and members that want to network with the tech sector but don’t plan on making a night of it. Register Here (We suggest you Hurry)
Part 2 – DJ Shrew and Humans
If you want to stick around for when the party will really get rollin’, you can follow this link and register for the 7:30-11pm session. Use the password “After Dark” to get access to tickets.
Tyler Harvey will be wrapping up his set and DJ Shrew will take the floor.
The cherry on top will be an up close performance by Humans!
VIATeC MEMBERS: PLEASE RSVP EARLY to receive priority access to the party.
There will be live music, crisp wine, local beer & eats… what more do we need to say?
*Members: There is a strict capacity at this venue so please RSVP and arrive early to ensure access. This event is open to the public, although VIATeC members will have priority access. (I think we’ve hammered this point home enough, right?)
This all goes down Friday, December 13th after Discover Tectoria 2013. It’s going to be one hell of a day.
And because we promised it in the newsletter, here’s the completed version of:
Your 3 Keys to Success at this year’s VIATeC Christmas Party(s)
- Say Yes to Everything
- Keep your Tectoria Showing
- When in doubt, blame Friday the 13th.
We look forward to seeing you there, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.
by Steve Hof
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Growing the Food Bank, by Shrinking our….
Harbour Hop 2013 at Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria, B.C.
We came. We jumped. We lived. We raised money for the VIATeC Food Bank Challenge in support of Victoria’s Mustard Seed.
On Thursday November 28th at twelve noon, roughly one dozen brave souls, myself included, (I use the term ‘brave’ loosely for yours truly) met at the Contech Inc offices and walked down toward Fisherman’s Wharf.
With the Times Colonist and CTV News on hand, the audience of spectators counted down from five, and…… Well, to be perfectly honest, I have next to no recollection of the less than four seconds it took me to get in, and get the heck out.
Many of the veteran jumpers (Victoria Tech firms such as Contech, Starfish Medical, Vigil Health, Telus, and VIATeC to name a few) actually went in a second time just for kicks!
The long and short of it is that we were able to raise money for an extremely important cause. With one full week to go, it’s not too late to sign up for the VIATeC Food Bank Challenge. You won’t even have to hop in the harbour. Well, at least not until next year. And for those of you there this year, if you have any photos of the event you’d like to share, please shoot me an email so we can post it here and feel warm until next year.
A special thanks goes out to Contech Inc for once again organizing the event, and supplying the trembling jumpers with food and refreshments after the event.
steve@pikomarketing.com
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Who Wants to Join VIATeC at SXSW 2014?
Some of the Accelerate Tectoria VIATeC crew are putting together travel plans for SXSW 2014. Before we start making travel plans, however, we need to know how many of you might be interested in joining us in Austin?
Last year Dan, Rob and Robbie from VIATeC pulled together several Victoria tech companies for the annual event in Texas and created Tectoria House. Their crew included TicTalking, MediaCore, Yupiq and others, who blanketed the massive festival with good ol’ Tectoria charm, spreading the word about our Imagination Economy.
SXSW Interactive brings together some of the world’s most creative thinkers to talk about many of tomorrow’s most innovative ideas. The 2014 edition, dubbed An Abundance of Innovation, has hundreds of confirmed sessions, and promises to be an unbelievable opportunity.
SOOOO, you don’t need to make a full commitment yet, but if you’re interested in joining the team in Texas this March, please either leave a comment on this post, or email Robbie Aylesworth in the very near future.
by Steve Hof
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