Newsletter   September 2015
 












TECH VALLEY CONNECT
Support for family and career transitions
 
A message from our President, Angela McNerney:

As the Capital Region transitions to autumn, newcomers have an opportunity to witness the gorgeous colors as the leaves change on our local trees. Those who have lived here for a long time still can't take the spectacular showcase of color and natural beauty for granted.
 
Tech Valley Connect is changing for the better too...
 
We continue to grow our employer consortium base and find new and creative ways to help local businesses and institutions work with one another.  Our services have helped many newcomers tell a great story about being welcomed to the region.  Employers have implemented Pre-Hire consultation services 4 times more than the previous year to enhance their recruitment efforts.  The ability to make key professional introductions for the spouse/partners of new hires within our consortium continues to accelerate professional networks and the ability to find jobs. 
 
More and more organizations across the country are cropping up with similar business models to support relocating professionals and their families.  In Gainesville Florida , the local Chamber of Commerce has created a regional program for dual career couples. Vail, Colorado is in the beginning stages of their dual career program. Other regional collaborations addressing dual careers are:
 
 
LINC - Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania - based off Tech Valley Connect model http://www.linc-lv.com/solutions/dual-career-support/
 
 UC Davis Sacramento, Calif region  - Welcome Network - based off Tech Valley Connect model
 
Bangor, Maine - Maine Career Connect -  based off the Tech Valley Connect model - soon to be based out of the Chamber of Commerce
 
 

 
We have produced two short videos letting our partners and clients tell the Tech Valley Connect story:  What Our Regional Stakeholders Say and What Dual Career Couples Say . We love what we do and are so grateful to learn that the people who work with us are appreciative too!
 
Please take note of our semi-monthly e-blasts which convey upcoming social events in our surrounding communities encompassing interesting and fun things to do - this is a great way for newcomers to meet people and explore various venues in the Capital Region and beyond. We try to plan activities that have a broad appeal for different age groups, singles, couples and those with children.  Our quarterly newsletters include relevant articles that may be of interest to professionals who relocate. Because we meet so many interesting and talented people, we take this opportunity to also include a profile of a dual career client we are working with, as a way to introduce them to the community at large and showcase our very important work.
 
As always I am so grateful to our consortium members, sponsors, community partners and resources. Without you, we couldn't do what we do to support new hires for local businesses and institutions. We strive to help all of you to continue to attract and retain the best and the brightest to the Capital Region and the Berkshires.
 
Please feel free to call us if you would like to learn more about our innovative work in recruitment and retention of key talent. As always, we wish you the best in the coming season.
 
Get out, explore and send us pictures of your Leaf Peeping!

 
Warm Regards,

Angela McNerney, President
Tech Valley Connect, Inc.
UPCOMING EVENTS HOSTED BY 
Tech Valley Connect


Join us for Tech Valley Connect's
End-of-Summer Cocktail Party
at
Saratoga National Golf Club


Celebrate the end of summer by engaging in some great conversation with some of the most interesting people in the Capital Region.
 



Join Tech Valley Connect's newly relocated professional clients, regional business leaders, academics, consortium members, community partners and friends on the veranda of the beautiful Saratoga National Golf Club. 
More than a meet and greet; Tech Valley Connect likes to introduce people whose work and interests may align with others. Potential collaborations abound!


The Details...

DATE: Thursday, September 24th

TIME: 5:30 - 7:30pm

LOCATION: Saratoga National Golf Club
458 Union Avenue
Saratoga Springs, NY
Directions


Complimetary Hors D'oeuvres

CASH BAR

 
Please RSVP to Danielle by Friday, September 18th
You can RSVP by clicking HERE. 

  

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Fall Kayaking with TVC!



Join us on Saturday, October 3rd as we paddle and explore Fish Creek in Saratoga, while enjoying scenic fall foliage, then warm up with some wood-fired pizza from Hearth & Harvest!


Date: Saturday, October 3rd

Time: 2:00pm

Meeting Place: The Kayak Shak
251 Staffords Bridge Road
Saratoga Springs, NY


Interested? Email danielle@techvalleyconnect.com to RSVP or for additional details.

Dual Career Client Spotlight

Luke Neubert.....pulling stories out of data

Luke Neubert is no stranger to relocation. Born in Colorado, his family moved to Wyoming when he was just a year old. Since then he has lived in... Texas, Arkansas and Florida before recently relocating to Troy, New York.

Luke completed his B. S. in Mechanical Engineering and then his M.B.A. at the University of Wyoming, before heading to Texas A&M University to earn a Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering. From there, he took his first job as a Logistics Engineer for J.B. Hunt, a large freight company in Arkansas.

And... that's where he met Jen.

Jennifer Pazour grew up in South Dakota before moving to Arkansas to finish school, where she was studying Industrial Engineering. Mutual friends from Texas  who knew Jen before Luke moved to Arkansas had a plan to set him up with the blonde engineer. "There aren't too many females in  engineering."  Luke knew who they were talking about, "I said 'is her name Jen? I think I'm already dating her.'" The two had been set up by Luke's coworker, who had previously worked with Jen.  "I guess it was destined that we would meet."

After the couple married, Jen accepted a position in Orlando, Florida, where they suffered what Jen referred to as the "two-body problem;" one spouse accepts a position which requires relocating, and the other follows with hopes of finding work in a new and unfamiliar city. Luke  worked  remotely at J.B. Hunt, while simultaneously exploring other options. That's when he talked himself into the door of Electronic Arts, a large video gaming company. Although, Luke says he's not a hardcore gamer, Jen might disagree.  Luke remembers not being an exact fit for the position, but felt that his passion for getting into the gaming industry is what got him the job, "I had to be willing to start over, which was totally the right decision."

Having to work his way back up, Luke, a die-hard Barcelona soccer fan, was drawn to the division of EA Sports, as it is an cross-section between sports and gaming. His passion and excitement is what propelled him from an entry-level software engineer to the position of Senior Business Analyst, working with producers and marketers on many high-profile games, like Madden and FIFA.  In this position, Luke moved away from logistical and industrial engineering and started working with data analysis and engineering; seeing how people play the game.

Analyzing the behavioral aspects of gaming has been compelling for Luke. He says that most would look at the 'average' way the population behaves, but gaming analysts can't  look at averages, they have to look at medians, "There's this super hardcore group of gamers that just break the numbers." Those are the people who want to be at the top of the leader boards; the most competitive gamers who want to have all the content. "They want to beat the game completely," says Luke, "Anything with a leader board where they can compete against each other;  brings out the most competitive and it's a constant target because if you stop playing, you start dropping." Once a game launches, it's crunch time for the analysts. Since Luke works on games with a yearly release, he has to compare the numbers from the previous year and forecast for the next. He says there is some efficiency with yearly release, "It's very cyclical." Luke says for sports games, "There's so much tied to what's going on in the real world. Like for me, when FIFA comes out, I have to have the new Barcelona roster."

After four years in Orlando, Jen accepted a faculty position of Assistant Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy. As Jen was the one with the "anchor" job, Luke has to trust that he can find work in a new place, "You have to be flexible".  Tech Valley Connect has helped make the transition for Jen and Luke much smoother than their previous moves, "You guys were so helpful even before we knew we were moving." Upon their initial visit to the Capital Region, prior to Jen accepting the position, Tech Valley Connect set up informational interviews for Luke with companies like Vicarious Visions, Fingerpaint Marketing and GE Global Research & Development.  Though informational interviews do not guarantee a job, Luke was able to make connections with local professionals in his field and able to accelerate the building of his professional network.

Luckily, he is also able to work remotely at Electronic Arts while he continues his job search, "It's a global company, so half the time spent in meetings, you're not talking to people inside the building."

Luke, who has family in Pennsylvania, had always wanted to live in the Northeast and was excited for the change. Though Jen had offers in other small towns, they ultimately decided on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Troy because of the walkability and the proximity to larger cities like Boston and NYC. "We really enjoy checking out all the restaurants in Troy, and the different places." Their favorite being Bacchus, the small wood-fired pizza shop on 2 nd Street; just a couple blocks from the couple's loft. "Being that close to a pizza place with great craft beer is awesome!'" Luke explains that although Orlando had a downtown, there wasn't a wide selection of restaurants. His parents warned him and Jen that they would probably never live in a place as walkable again, but once they moved to Troy they realized, "It's actually better." 

Tech Valley Connect has not only assisted Luke in his job search, but also with resources to help create their quality of life within their new surroundings, "Even beyond the career stuff, we feel very comfortable coming to you guys (Tech Valley Connect) with questions and we trust your answers."
 

If you would like further information on Luke's background or would like to schedule an informational interview, please contact Program Coordinator, Joanne Bucher, at joanne@techvalleyconnect.com

 

Congratulations 
to the Dosiek Family! 

Luke and Stephanie  welcomed  their second child,  Theodore James,
  on July 14th, 2015.


MEETUPS
Neighbors getting together to learn something, 
share something, do something
 
Here is a cool site that allows anyone to search for others with similar interests. If you are into meditation, kayaking, bug collecting or tennis, you'll find others who are as well. And if you don't find the group you are looking for, start your own with Meetup.

Just click here for more information.


CHECK OUT  
 
A website all about resumes, career advice and the job search.  Click here 
for everything you need to know and read some very valuable articles with tried and true advice.
SO MUCH TO DO HERE IN THE CAPITAL REGION... 
AND BEYOND

You'll never be bored if you take advantage of what's happening in our area - you will never have an excuse to stay home, even on a rainy day!

 
     



Relocation as Risk Management

A strong relocation program can be a significant strategy in reducing employee turnover


By Michael Krasman


Relocation programs haven't quite been given the attention they deserve. But the truth is, a strong relocation plan can be a significant risk management strategy in reducing employee turnover. According to a 2013 article in 
Forbes, as much as 20 percent of staff turnover occurs within the new employee's first 45 days at their new job, costing the company $3,000 to $18,000 to replace them. For relocating employees, turnover can be even higher due to the added challenges that come along with moving.

Two of the top five most stressful life events are moving and starting new job - and relocation encompasses both. If a move goes poorly, it can leave residual problems that the employee needs to sort out during the first few weeks -or even months -in their new position, causing them to be stressed and distracted at work. All of this impacts their impression of a new job role and the company at large, sometimes even prompting them to quit.

To lower the risk of losing newly hired transferees, there are a number of steps you can take to make employee relocation to go smoothly. Below are some ways, from the job offer to months after the hire, to strengthen your relocation strategy to best support, and therefore retain, your relocated employees.

1.     Discuss relocation benefits as early as the interview

 

By discussing relocation benefits with the applicant as early as the interview, you demonstrate a supportive company culture and show the candidate that if they accept the offer, their relocation needs will be taken care of. If you address the employee's relocation needs from the start (apartment search, spousal support, etc.), and let them know how the company will accommodate them, the candidate is  more likely to accept the position.

 

 

2.       Educate employees about their new location and their new office

 

Provide new employee with all the information they need, starting with an introduction to their new city. By providing them with more than sufficient information and prepare them with key cultural aspects of their new office, it lowers the new employee's level of stress while transitioning, while also fostering trust and loyalty toward the company.

 

3.       Consider a core/flex relocation policy

 

In a core/flex policy, employers play the middleman between the employee and relocation suppliers, allocating funds on the employee's behalf, leaving the employee feeling that they are receiving support, rather than a just chunk of cash. A core/flex policy is a great way to retain employees, because when the company directly handles most relocation tasks, there are fewer details for the employee to worry about, allowing them to settle in faster to their new office, and giving them a better relocation experience all together.

 

 

4.       Keep track of deadlines

 

Timing is another factor to take into account when laying out a relocation plan. A common misconception is that the relocation process should flow step by step, when in reality, the process should look more like a rolling list of tasks. With many moving parts, timing for each task needs to be thoroughly evaluated and given ample time to be completed.

 

 

5.       Create a solid on-boarding program for months after the move

 

By on-boarding your employee correctly -laying out exactly what they are responsible for, what is expected of them, how they will be evaluated, and creating a welcoming company culture that helps a new employee establish a social network in the office -you will not only ensure your company will benefit from the employee's great work, but you'll be allowing them to feel fulfilled and proud in their position, which will keep them around for the long haul.


The cost of recruiting, hiring, training, and even retaining employees can be steep. When hiring new talent can cost you anywhere to 1.5 to three times the employee's salary, you should be doin g everything you can to manage the risk of losing them. To ensure your applicant accepts the offer, stays after the move, and is genuinely happy in their new role for years to come, be sure to set a solid relocation program in place that supports your employee in every step along the way. 

To read the full article from the September issue of Mobility Magazine, click HERE.








Albany Academies to Open New Science Center

At The Albany Academies, we firmly believe in the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. We recognize the significance of educating our students in these fields so that they are prepared for college and the job force of the future upon graduation.

Our dedication to STEM is the motivation behind one of our major projects: the Borisenok Family Science Center, a new, state-of-the-art science facility located on the Albany Academy for Girls campus. A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony will be held on September 25 th to officially open the Center, which will provide 6,300 square feet of new learning space. The Center includes four classrooms and two prep rooms that will be utilized by students from the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.

"The creation of our new Science Center gives our STEM educators the necessary tools to continue The Albany Academies' legacy of shaping the minds of the next generation of innovators a nd entrepreneurs," said David "Bo" Buran, Upper School Science Teacher and Science Department Chair.

Following the dedication of our new Science Center, we will be hosting an event on October 7th at 5:30 p.m. featuring a discussion in support of our new STEM initiatives. Academy Spotlight on STEM is open to members of the community, alumni and alumnae as well as current and past parents. The discussion will focus on current trends in science, technology and engineering, their implications for the future and how active learning plays a vital role in ensuring our students are prepared to be successful in a world where the only constant is change.


For more information on our new Science Center and the Academy Spotlight on STEM event, please visit www.albanyacademies.org or call (518) 429-2432.

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Year-Round Preschool and Pre-K Program

   
The Albany Academies is now offering a year-round Preschool and Pre-K Program. Our Albany location is convenient for parents who live and/or work in the Greater Capital Region, and our hours are conducive for working parents. Children and adults receive the benefits of a truly academic and well-rounded Preschool and Pre-K experience, with the same hours offered by traditional daycare centers.     
 
The program runs from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, but the Early Bird (7:15 to 8:00 a.m.) and Extended Day programs (3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) are included in the cost of $12,900 a year. The cost is competitive with other full-day, year-round daycare programs in the area, and families are getting a much higher value, including up to 10 weeks of our popularsummer camp program.
 
Our Preschool program offers opportunities for group and individual activities, as well as a balance of fun indoor and outdoor activities, while the Pre-K curriculum includes art, music, science and library classes along with physical education classes including swimming and ice skating.
 
Preschool and Pre-K students have access to the same educational assets as older students: a nurturing faculty with more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education; a 50-acre campus including an ice rink, indoor swimming pool and new playground; and small class sizes for an enriching environment.

For more information please visit www.albanyacademies.org or call (518) 429-2348.
               



 
Welcome to the region!  More profoundly, welcome to an opportunity for scholarship that subsumes grades and transacted learning.  In this short article, the notion of "earning grades" is contrasted with scholarship. 

For many of us, success in school was correlated with getting "A"s.  Only later (often at the start of our professional careers) did we suddenly discover that grades have little practical value.  What we should have and could have been taught is that scholarship, marked by grades perhaps, is the necessity and underpinning of academic and eventually career success.  Scholarship, stipulated as learning for learning's sake, the relentless pursuit of truth, the genesis of profound questions that broadly explore the depths of new concepts, and intellectual risk-taking, is scarce.  It is arguably a skill that can be taught as students arrive at the cusp of new knowledge acquisition.  Moreover, scholarship invites failure.  Failure, that is not a product of laziness or lack of aptitude, actually shows an emerging scholar exactly where new knowledge is about to be born.  As Ted Sizer, former Dean of Harvard's School of Education, often stated, we "stop too soon" when inviting students out to the precipice where old ways of knowing no longer make sense and new knowledge is just one small cognitive step away.

As you arrive into this region, please ask the fundamental questions of each school that you consider for your children:
  1. Beyond cursory teaching of 21st Century skills or preparation for the new SAT and its inherent emphasis on diagnostic skills, how does this school extend beyond rote learning to invite scholarship?
  2. What do students here do with the new knowledge they acquire?  How is that knowledge grounded within the student who must discover how to successfully and maturely navigate numerous contexts each day (interacting with peers, adults, work load, efficacy)?
  3. Is this school so busy trying to market its front running programs that it fails to teach each child individually while committing the cardinal sin of education; teaching the class and not the student?
Be ready for less than desirable answers that include listings of programs (not the data generated from assessment of same), espoused goals versus strategy in practice, and a failure to acknowledge the dynamic complexity of learning in our nano-second culture that has often abandoned the value of delaying a response long enough to ponder varying perspectives.

The school you might strongly consider trusting your child's formation with should provide the following:
  1. Each student is viewed as an emerging, gifted scholar who is challenged to exceed expectations but not placed under so much intellectual pressure and busy-work that learning becomes burdensome.
  2.  Ask to meet teachers.  Trust your gut.  Is this teacher able to connect with your child?  Will the teacher encourage radical leaps in learning after building capacities for success (executive functions)?  Is failure invited and deployed intentionally as a catalyst to real learning?
  3.  Is the school environment stimulating (not just clean and pretty) where your child can access learning centers and engage in advanced opportunities to explore unknown skill sets, safely?
  4. Are teachers really facilitators who are relentless about the student becoming the doctor, writer, researcher, poet, activist, or economist that is being studied?  Such emersion is evident when "flow" occurs.  Flow is a state of all-consuming engagement that diminishes a sense of time and makes all else (that is not the task at hand) less important.  Master teachers bring students to this depth regularly.
At La Salle Institute in Troy, where I have the humbling privilege to lead, we are cracking open the notion of scholarship, inviting students to become diagnosticians, and taking the ligatures off of teachers and students alike so each can discover her/his possible self...and not stop there!  Grades...eh.  Scholarship...here we come!  Developing scholar-leaders...our destiny.


About the Author
Dr. Paul D. Fallon is the Principal of La Salle Institute in Troy, N.Y. Dr. Fallon has an extensive educational background with 26 years experience as a teacher, coach, athletic director, middle school dean, principal, regional superintendent, and educational consultant. Among Dr. Fallon's successful initiatives in his educational leadership roles as Principal of Nouvel Catholic Central High School in Saginaw, Michigan and Regional Director of Schools (Superintendent) of the National Heritage Academies has been his focus on strengthening the curriculum, integrating faith, collaboratively supporting the faculty, and engaging the parents and local community. 

 
MCLA offers tuition reduction for NY residents, Fall Open Houses
 
MCLA has been named by U.S. News & World Report as a National Top Ten Public Liberal Arts College for the fourth consecutive year.
 
New York state residents enjoy an 85% tuition reduction at MCLA: We offer more than 50 programs of study. Come tour our campus and learn more at one of our Fall Open Houses.
 
For more information, contact the Office of Admission at or (413) 662-5410.

 





" Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis" 
Author Robert Putnam will Headline UAlbany School of Public Health's Forum on Health Disparities

The University at Albany School of Public Health has initiated an "All School Read" program, which invites students, faculty, staff and community members to select and read an important book covering issues relevant for those preparing for careers in public health. The first book chosen is Putnam's  Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, a groundbreaking examination of the growing inequality gap in the United States. The book details how children and grandchildren today have had harder lives amid diminishing prospects compared with earlier generations of Americans.

The University at Albany School of Public Health will host Robert D. Putnam, the Malkin Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University and author of  Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis.  The forum will address the role of the growing income inequality gap in the U.S. today.
 

 
 

Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 5 p.m. 

University at Albany School of Public Health
George Education Center Auditorium
One University Place, Rensselaer, NY
 



   

The Writers Institute Fall 2015 schedule of events offers a rich variety of genres, from poetry to science writing to fiction to history to memoir to filmmaking and theatre. 

The upcoming series will even include a food writer-  New York Times columnist and bestselling cookbook author  Mark Bittman , whose work has been described by PBS as a "bible of basic cooking for millions of Americans."

The series will showcase two extraordinary former students at UAlbany-journalist  Tom Junod, who holds the all-time record for National Magazine Award nominations (eleven!), and  Edward Burns, director, actor, and one of the most prolific and influential independent filmmakers currently at work. Burns will present his new memoir, Independent Ed (2015), about which Matt Lauer of Today said, "Every young, hungry, creative person should view this as a textbook.... It's a how-to."  
       
Other guests will include: 
Rachel Grady,  Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker
Jason Reynolds,  young adult novelist
Ann Beattie,  winner of the American Library Association's Coretta Scott King Award; major American short story writer
Adam Johnson,  Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist
Peter Straub,  bestselling horror novelist
Mary Gaitskill,  National Book Award finalist
Sean Dunne,  "Best New Documentary Filmmaker" at the Tribeca Film Festival,
Casey Schwartz,  trail-blazing neuroscience writer
Ginger Strand,  Vonnegut biographer
Tina Howe,  major American dramatist



For more on the Visiting Writers Series, visit:  


For more on the Classic Film Series, visit:  


     
 We hope to see you soon!



For more information, visit us online at http://www.albany.edu/writers-inst or call us at 518-442-5620.



Upcoming Events in the Area..


Wednesday, September 16th
12:00 - 8:00pm

On June 21, 1965 the cornerstone was laid for what would become The Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza. Marketed at the time as a "Design for the Future," the Plaza exists today as an icon of 20th century modernist architecture. New York State is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Empire State Plaza and the story of how the center of New York's capital city became a public space where government, culture, and community converge. 

This special event will round out the annual 
Summer at the Plaza  series of free events and feature a day full of live entertainment, food, including a farmers market, and New York State products, and conclude with fireworks.

For more info on the day's activities, click HERE.


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2015 Women's Night Out

More than 600 women from around the Capital Region attend Ellis Medicine's Women's Night Out each year for a night of shopping, networking, and education on healthy life choices. All proceeds from Women's Night Out support women's health services at Bellevue Woman's Center and the Neil and Jane Breast & Heart Health Center.


Every year, Women's Night Out brings a nationally recognized featured speaker to the Capital Region to provide an inspirational talk on life, career and health topics.

We are thrilled to announce that TV Personality & Internationally Acclaimed Chef,  
Sandra Lee  will be headlining this year's Women's Night Out! 



SAVE THE DATE: October 1st @ Proctors, Schenectady




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Saturday, November 14th
Check in: 9:00am, Plunge: 12:00pm
Shepard Park Beach, Lake George


What is a  Plunge ?

A unique, wacky experience that you'll never forget! Raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics New York by asking your family, friends, co-workers, etc. to support your efforts. Then, take a dip or a slow crawl into the chilly waters of Lake George! 

Every Plunger that raises $100 receives an official Plunge sweatshirt, raise more money and receive more great prizes!

The fun starts on Friday, November 13th for the annual Pre-Plunge Party!

Special Olympics New York has 65,665 athletes training and completing year-round in 22 Olympics-style sports. The athletes and their families or caregivers are NEVER CHARGED to participate!

It costs $400 to support training and competition for one athlete for one sports season. Set your Plunge goal at $400 and you have sponsored an athlete for an entire season!



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Sunday, December 6th
11:00am - 5:00pm
Troy, NY

The annual holiday tradition which transforms the historic streets of downtown Troy into a magical stage of song, dance, and family enjoyment  - the Troy Victorian Stroll - is set to celebrate the 33rd year  as the region's premier free holiday event. All afternoon- from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. -Troy's historic downtown will offer more than 100 free attractions, including the region's top performers, ­ musicians, dancers, magicians and storytellers.

There will be rides, refreshments, a craft show and much more, set in the historic beauty of Victorian downtown Troy. Throughout the afternoon, Troy's fine shops, boutiques and galleries will be open for holiday shopping. If you're hungry, make sure to stop into many of Troy's best eateries or for a quick bite, visit our food court located at Monument Square.
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Performances & Events  at Tanglewood

Click HERE for a complete list.


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Click HERE for the schedule of events at the EGG
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Motown the Musical

Tuesday, November 17th to  Sunday, November 22nd


It began as one man's story... became everyone's music... and is now Broadway's musical.  MOTOWN THE MUSICAL  is the true American dream story of Motown founder Berry Gordy's journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson and many more. Motown shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat. Featuring classic songs such as "My Girl" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," experience the story behind the music in the record-breaking smash hit  MOTOWN THE MUSICAL !


Click HERE for tickets.





A Brief History of Proctors..

What began as a vaudeville theatre in the early 20th century is now the Capital Region's destination for major Broadway shows, cutting-edge film festivals, exciting special events, and everything in between.  Built in 1926 by F. F. Proctor, the "Dean of Vaudeville," Proctors on State Street in Schenectady was a popular theatre that used a method of continuous performance to draw huge crowds and numerous famous vaudevillians of that era.

Over the past decade, Proctors has expanded and made numerous renovations, which have made it possible to accommodate large Broadway productions, giant screen films, local performers, and ever-growing audiences from around the country.


For more events at Proctors, click HERE.
Fun Stuff for Kids


Here is a site chock full of things to do with the kids all around the Capital Region. There are events, classes and camps and, according to their home page, there are 462 free things to check out. Learn more here.



Celebrate the season of SPOOK 
with Double M Haunted Hayrides!

Double M Haunted Hayrides in celebrating 25 years of fear in Upstate New York! 
The spirits are extra hungry this year, ready to terrify those who are brave enough to venture into the eerie woods at the Double M property located just outside of Malta, NY. Will it be you?
We are waiting for you! Reserve your ride now by calling (518) 884-9122 or visit www.doublemhauntedhayrides.com 



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THINQubator is one of just a small handful of kids makerspaces around the world.

 A project of the  Tech Valley Center of Gravity, the THINQubator empowers kids and families to think, tinker, collaborate, skill-build, design, and MAKE.  
Through hands-on experiences, kids deeply explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math in an engaging, fun format.

Check out our latest and greatest  video.  It's fun, edgy, and more than a little cheeky! 

Learn more at 

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The CNSE Children's Museum of Science and Technology (CNSE CMOST) is the only science center in the Tech Valley designed spe cifically for kids and parents to Explore, Discover, and Imagine the world of science together.

Check out their calendar of events by clicking the link below:



 


Networking Events

Albany County

Friday, October 16th, 7:45am
Holiday Inn & Suites 
400 New Loudon Road, Latham

Rensselaer County

Wednesday, October 28th, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Franklin Terrace Ballroom
126 Campbell Ave, Troy

Wednesday, December 16th, 11:30am - 1:00pm
The Century House
997 New Loudon Road, Latham
(Held in Albany County; presented by Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce)

Saratoga County
 
Thursday, October 1st, 3:30 - 7:00pm
Saratoga Springs City Center
522 Broadway, Saratoga Springs

Schenectady County

Wednesday, September 16th, 5:00pm
Richmor Aviation, Inc.
19 Airport Road, Scotia

Wednesday, October 14th, 5:00pm
Ruby Tuesday
416 Balltown Road, Schenctady 


Sponsors


Tech Valley Connect, Inc.
120 Defreest Drive
Troy, New York 12180
518.283.1812
Celebrating 6 years and growing