ABCtech #20 20JUL14 Convergence and Creativity

ABCtech #20 20JUL14 Convergence and Creativity

QuickTech Notes

20-JUL-14

CONVERGENCE & CREATIVITY

Establishing a Model Innovation Zone.  ABCtech has announced its theme for 2015 as Convergence and Creativity featuring the development of a model Innovation Zone in Alberta.  The project is to involve collaborative economic development among several counties/municipalities in Alberta.  The area selected shares a common need to establish a robust commercial/ industrial base in keeping with their environmental limitations. Primary is to establish the receptive infrastructure for retaining and attracting enterprises developing and deploying innovative solutions to big problems – such as have been the focus of ABCtech’s themes over the last 10 years.  For more contact  info@ABCtech.ca

INFOTECH & ANALYTICS

Identifying Global ICT Trends.  If you have an interest in InfoTech and Analytics please contribute to this survey of IT executives serving as the voice of the industry by assimilating their experience and knowledge with that of other IT leaders to help identify and anticipate the trends and direction technology is taking around the globe. The survey has been designed to help individuals, organizations, industries, and countries understand and benchmark various areas and trends within IT such as opportunities, technologies, major concerns, sourcing considerations, CIO roles, spending, and salaries. We will be posting results in September.  SURVEY HERE

INNOVATION & ENTERPRISE

Innovation Status Report – 2014.  The Derwent World Patents Index report contains an analysis of patents registered fro 12 industries.

GOVERNMENT of ALBERTA

PC Leadership Race. Who should be leading Alberta’s declared objective to build a more diversified, sustainable economy?  Please REPLY with a question you would like us to pose to the three leadership candidates: Thomas Lukaszuk, Ric McIver, and Jim Prentice.  We’ll be posting the answers in a future newsletter.  Or contact  info@ABCtech.ca

Alberta announces new Innovation Council. The Government of Alberta launched The Alberta Innovation Council, a 13-person group that will provide leadership and evolve innovation in the Province.  The Council will provide vital oversight and advice to align priorities, advance strategic initiatives and clarify roles and responsibilities while providing advice to government on ways it can enhance research and innovation in the Province. FOR MORE

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Alberta urged to prepare for fusion energy.  ABCtech has released its Report commissioned by Alberta Energy on the status of fusion research and the socio-economic implications for Alberta. Appended is an assessment of feasibility of applying fusion generated heat as an option to natural gas in oil sand extraction.  FOR MORE

Premier Hancock meets with

Alberta’s Innovation Council

• Dave Hancock, Premier and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education, Edmonton
• Fred Horne, Minister of Health, Edmonton
• Verlyn Olson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Edmonton
• David Cox, Co-chair of BioAlberta, Edmonton
• Peter Garrett, President and CEO of Innovate Calgary
• Bruce Hirsche, Partner, Parlee McLaws LLP, Edmonton
• Nancy Knowlton, Co-founder, President and CEO of The Byye Group, Calgary
• Chris Lumb, CEO of TEC Edmonton
• David Lynch, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton
• Michael Mahon, President and Vice Chancellor, University of Lethbridge
• Roger Palmer, Chair, Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research, Edmonton
• Robert Saik, Founder and CEO of Agri-Trend Group, Red Deer
• Dan Wicklum, Executive Director, Canadian Oil Sands Leadership Innovation Alliance (COSIA), Calgary

ABCtech Sponsored EVENTS

SMART City Symposium

Cities need to become smarter.  Join us and industry experts from the public and private sector for a discussion on possibilities, best practices and future innovations.

FOR MORE

Register   HERE

Edmonton Entrepreneur Training Camp

Learn to plan, fund, manage and market your own business.

September 11th – Edmonton, Alberta

Save $50 on Early bird pricing by Aug 15th.

FOR MORE

Small Business On-site Consultations

Why do small businesses in Alberta fail to grow and do they exit too early? Is there merit in  mergers? ABCtech wants to hear from you.

FOR MORE

St. Paul – September 17th

Edmonton – September 18th

St. Albert – September 23rd

Fort McMurray – October 2nd

PENDING

Grande Prairie

Red Deer

Calgary

COMPLETE

Drayton Valley – April 25th

Edmonton – May 6th

Medicine Hat – May 7th Lethbridge – May 8th