Directors Blog

Wayne Gudbranson one time told me that he never wanted to be known as the list company guy; but that he thought bringing together the information of the Branham list would be a great way for Canada to see the depth and breadth of the ICT sector contribution to the economy, innovation and job creation. 
He has done both - known for the completeness and clarity of the listing is itself a significant achievement and deserving of Hall of Fame recognition; AND, each year the interest and excitement of the 'reveal' mounts for weeks ahead of the first presentation of the annual data.  Well done Wayne. The YTA is very proud to be a partner in the presentation of the data to the GTA community once again.

YTA is partnering with YorkU Office of Research Services to connect member companies with academic researchers who will qualify for NSERC funding in the search for innovative solutions to company problems.
Contact the YTA office if you are interested in participating in the 'meet up' this Friday where up to 10 companies and researchers are set to start the collaboration connection needed to access the funding needed to solve their problem...up to $25,000 for each initiative.  Email Patrick Shaw or call 905.415.4558 for more info.
   YTA - Fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem in the Greater Toronto Region. 

Congratulations to YTA member company, Compugen, Canada's largest privately owned IT solution provider. Company Founder, President and CEO Harry Zarek was recently recognized by VMware as a recipient of a
VMware Partner Network Award, winning the Global Partner Executive MVP category.  See the Compugen news release at http://www.compugen.com/pdf/VMwareNamesZarekForGlobalAward.pdf  

YTA is pleased to have Backbone as a media partner supporting the tech cluster in the Greater Toronto Region.  Now tech leaders across Canada can find information about upcoming YTA Events and Programs in the Backbone Magazine Events listings - and we invite you to join us at a Luncheon or event soon.  Check us out on  

Great attendance and terrific presentation arranged by E&Y to include CRA Tech specialist and client sharing experiences.  Wonderful seeing the sense of community demonstrated by both presenters and participants in this type of learning experience...'social' engagement and useful and practical 'knowledge' mobilization.
Thank you to Elizabeth Pringle of E&Y for putting this together and pulling it off with such professional demeanor.
Pat Shaw.

Congratulations and thank you to the many new members who have joined with their peers this year to reach 200 member companies.  The YTA is a community that appeals to tech leaders in the Greater Toronto Region for the collaboration, innovation and business growth that can be leveraged through their participation.
YTA peer to peer networks are actively shedding light on the "shortcuts to success" that many growing businesses are looking for...insight and encouragement from peers without constraints or strings attached.  Over 3000 people took advantage of the programs of the Association this past year. 
If you are not yet a member, come on out to an event or peer group meeting and see for yourself.  If you are a member, let us know what else you think your association could offer in the year ahead?
Pat.

Thanks to all of the members, new and old, that came out to the YTA Holiday Event last night at Marlowe.  A good group came out to enjoy some food, some Jeopardy and some good times.



The Holiday Event marks the end of the 2009 YTA Programming Year.  Thanks to everyone for coming out to our events and making this year a great success! 

See you all in 2010, when we kick off the New Year with the Deloitte Tech Predictions Lunch on January 28. 

Happy Holidays!

This month's luncheon recognized 11 new members to raise the total new members enrolling in the YTA to 25 over the past two months.  A great sign that the programs we are offering make sense for the tech community we serve.  Peer groups and topical issue luncheons attract tech companies interested in direct networking and the opportunity to learn from eachother  in the pursuit for better, faster business results.

 

Welcome to 11 new board members of the YTA (BoardMembers). Each adds insight and strengthens the current board contribution and commitment toward growing a strong and sustainable tech ecosystem in the Greater Toronto Region. 

Small, medium and large tech and professional service firms support an economic development cluster that has proven the benefits of shared learning, networking and collaboration with direct top line benefits.

Thought leaders are described as such because they lead the thinking in their industry.  The YTA Board do that and more, because they also dig in to deliver the services our members need in order to turn the thoughts, ideas, into action.  Innovation meets traction.  Come out to an event or log-in to your member centre and experience the professional drive that helps sustain the businesses in our community - and around the globe.

 

The YTA is committed to the development of a vibrant ecosystem of technology companies throughout the greater Toronto region. YTA contributes by arranging great networking and learning opportunities for our tech members. Just check out any of our 10 peer-to-peer meetings in any given month.  Or the luncheon program with topical issues and insights that attracted upwards of 225 participants.

Coming together in a sense of community is our way of nurturing innovation and encouraging business success.  We are always looking to improve programs and activities we offer and will always welcome your feedback and suggestions.

In the short time that I've been Executive Director I have been welcomed as an ambassador of the YTA in the region and in the greater Toronto area. It is uplifting to see the sense of support and the sense of community that our members have throughout the region.

The YTA certainly seems to have a new energy and enthusiasm about it.  I invite you to be part of that and to contribute your ideas on how we can continue to grow and provide the programs events and activities that make sense to youth members.