Celebrating the region's capacity as a leader in all things "tech", London Tech Week (March 28 - April 1) brings together the local technology community to foster and promote the strengths, successes and opportunities for the sector. Tech Week is the city’s only week designated to celebrate and recognize the many world-class technology businesses that call the city home.

“London has a thriving technology community and this week is a great way to celebrate our successes and is a means to provide opportunities and resources to further grow the sector,” notes TechAlliance President and CEO Marilyn Sinclair.

London Tech Week 2011 events include:
Awareness Campaign
March 28 – April 1, 2011

During London Tech Week, TechAlliance hosts an awareness campaign targeting secondary schools. This initiative provides teachers with the opportunity to invite seasoned industry experts into their classrooms to speak about their experiences, encouraging students to explore studies and careers in technology. The speaker roster includes David Billson (President and Co-founder, rtraction), Claudette Critchley (Chief Operating Officer, Big Blue Bubble), Fredrik Liliegren (Chief Executive Officer, Antic Entertainment), and Stephanie Ciccarelli (Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder, Voices.com) among many others.

Students will also have the opportunity to tour local companies to get an insider view of what a career in technology might look like. Tour locations include Digital Extremes, Fanshawe College (School of Contemporary Media) and Primus Business Services.

Gearing up for Growth: Regional Growth Strategies Conference
March 29, 2011 – London Convention Centre

On March 29, 2011, TechAlliance will present its second annual Gearing up for Growth: Regional Growth Strategies Conference at the London Convention Centre. This full-day conference features three keynote speakers and a host of breakout sessions designed to foster growth in the business community.

Breakout sessions, to be held throughout the day, follow four streams: Growing Leaders, Growing Innovation, Growing Markets, and Growing CEOs. The breakout sessions compliment three renowned keynote speakers that include Robert Herjavec, star of CBC’s Dragons’ Den and ABC’s Shark Tank, Sarah Prevette, one of North America’s top young entrepreneurs and founder of Sprouter, and Bill Johnson, former President and CEO of both McDonald's Canada and McDonald’s Mexico who credits London as his hometown.

Gearing up for Growth is the ultimate opportunity for business owners and leaders along with service providers, aspiring business executives, and employees to explore strategies and to gain the tools needed to spark growth and ease growing pains.

Conference participants can attend the entire conference, including the Power Breakfast featuring Robert Herjavec ($175 for TechAlliance members, $249 for non-members), or choose to attend only the Power Breakfast ($50 for TechAlliance members, $65 for non-members). Special pricing is also available for corporate tables and large groups. For further information and registration details visit www.gearingupforgrowth.ca.

Community Mixer
March 31, 2011
Braise Food & Wine, 125 Dundas St.
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Tech Week Community Mixer is an ideal place for London's techies, entrepreneurs, and community and business leaders to mix and mingle while celebrating our region's thriving technology sector. This event is a key networking opportunity for anyone in, or who wants to be in, London's business and tech communities.

London Tech Week is made possible by our many generous sponsors including platinum sponsor Ernst & Young and with support from NRC-IRAP.

For more information about London Tech Week 2011 and a full list of our sponsors, please visit http://www.techalliance.ca/london-tech-week-2011-0  or contact Allison Fisher, Director, Programs and Educational Outreach at 519.858.5059 or allison [dot] fishertechalliance [dot] ca

For media inquiries, please contact Matt Quin, Director of Communications and Engagement, w:519-858-5082, c:519-709-3076 or matt [dot] quintechalliance [dot] ca