IT Martini Hour 18: Sweet Home Ohio | Presented by Genesis10
July 21st, 2011
Theme: Attracting and Building IT Talent in Cleveland, Ohio
Title Sponsor: Genesis10
Panelists: Robert Hatta, Sarah Justice, Brad Nellis, Pat Grimm and Mark Henderson, hosted by Valerie Miller & Genesis10
Top Shelf Sponsor: Expedient Communications
DEMOs: Launch Brain Inc., Citizen Groove, OptixConnect, Within3, SpotHero
IT Community Choice Award Winner: iRx Reminder LLC
Location: House of Blues
Charities: $1000 raised for Transitional Housing and The COB Foundation
Cleveland ROCKS! IT Martini Hour 18: Sweet Home Ohio | Presented by Genesis10 took place on a very hot and humid July night where hundreds of IT Pros from the Cleveland area filled the House of Blues.
It was a launch party for Genesis10, a kick-off for the Ohio Homecoming celebration, and all about attracting and building IT rockstars in Cleveland. Read on for the highlights.
Leadership
Valerie Miller of Genesis10 moderated a thoughtful and lively discussion on what it takes to attract and build IT talent. Audience participation mixed expert insight from local leaders that included Robert Hatta, Sarah Justice, Brad Nellis, Pat Grimm and Mark Henderson. Be sure to check out the video in the coming weeks!
Expedient Communications hosted another Speed Networking Session and it was another hit! Instead of ripping a guitar on stage - IT Pros harmonized their elevator pitches and listening skills with 30 other participants under the memorable House of Blues sign.
Entrepreneurship
Six DEMOs made an appearance, with iRx Reminder LLC taking home the IT Community Choice Award. The app runs on a smartphone, and gives reminders to take medication.
Other DEMOs that showcased their products included:
Launch Brain Inc. works with companies and individuals to launch “world class” online business. Launch Brain promises to jump the “hurdles” for its clients.
Citizen Groove is a digital audition tool that partners with university music programs to provide digital screening of applicants. Admissions officers save time through the elimination of opening, sorting and processing of CDs.
OptixConnect is an online application that matches private businesses with high-value stakeholders. OptixConnect helps startups proactively engage the investor community for full transparency of development and mutual goals.
Within3 is tapping into Cleveland’s growing health care industry by creating online communities for health care professionals in pharmaceuticals, medical associations and health systems. Health care professionals have precious little time but need to stay connected more than ever to keep up with regulatory and compliance issues.
SpotHero allows parking owners to list and sell parking spaces online in advance of events. Patrons can buy a spot in advance to save time in the search for parking and spend more time enjoying the event.
Philanthropy
Charity partners Transitional Housing and The COB Foundation were also on hand. Nearly $1000 was raised, thanks to your IT Community, to benefit these great organizations.
Transitional Housing steps in when a woman has no place to call home. The organization provides a safe environment for women and their young children while offering targeted programs and services to help women become self-sufficient and break the cycle of homelessness.
The COB Foundation produced Ohio Homecoming - a four day celebration whose main focuses are to highlight the achievements of the state, inspire residents to become active in their community and bring great minds from all walks of life together to create opportunities for Ohio's citizens.
The cooperation of several great community-focused organizations helped trememdously to make the event a success including the brand new LaunchHouse from Shaker Heights, Exclusive Sponsor Genesis10, and local tech organizations NEOSA and JumpStart.
Of course, this event wouldn't have been a success without IT Pros like YOU. Thank you Cleveland, for making IT Martini's third trip to NEO such a blast!
Twitter Buzz:
jsteinerman: Great speed networking session at #itmartini! Made some invaluable contacts!
Just_Jess38: @itmartini has a great panel discussion going in the cambridge room@HOBCleveland #itmartini
sos_jr: Winner at #Cleveland @itmartini & @neosa_nellis event at @HOBCleveland is #iRxReminder.
www.iRxReminder.com #itmartini yfrog.com/kf51dij
