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Digest Newsletter | May 2020
TECNA Board Chair Message
We are almost two months into the COVID-19 journey, and while there are many encouraging signs as states and provinces work to flatten the curve – first phases of opening up our economies, companies implementing their re-opening plans – there remains much uncertainty out there. With the impact the pandemic has had on so many businesses, this in turn has made for some very challenging times and difficult decisions for TECNA members. 

For TECNA, we have already had to cancel the 2020 CEO Retreat and now we have made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel our Summer Conference scheduled for July in Pittsburgh. Interacting with our peers at these events has always been a highlight of our annual calendar. We WILL meet again, but at this stage, most probably in 2021. Meanwhile, there are things we will carry on with in the absence of these events, including the 2020 TECNA Innovation Awards. The work of the extraordinary people of TECNA continues and so we feel it important to continue to recognize those efforts – virtually. You will find more details on the Awards in this newsletter. We will also be arranging a virtual TECNA Business Meeting in lieu of the in-person one that normally takes place at the Summer Conference. And we are looking at a number of opportunities to deliver online content and special events in the coming months.

So stay tuned and stay healthy!
Doug Robertson
TECNA Board Chair
President & CEO
Venn Innovation, Inc
TECNA Member News
WEtech Alliance shares what 3 Ontario companies are doing to remain competitive in a global marketplace (in the midst of a world-wide health crisis) - read more.

Palm Beach Tech Association partnered with the Knight Foundation & eMerge Americas to support out of work tech professionals throughout South Florida - read more.

NVTC launches virtual Masters of Leadership series along with CTA with inaugural guest speaker, Mitt Romney, read more.

TAI launches a weekly web series titled, Iowa Tech: A Look Inside The Virtual Workforce, offering insights and knowledge from Iowa tech leaders about navigating the rapidly changing business landscape and adapting to stay essential in a virtual workforce. Visit the newly redesigned TAI website to view events, resources, and webinar series topics - click here.

Venn Innovation's EIR, Norbert Demps, was a redirected passenger in Gander after 9/11. He shares what it was like for him and the importance of a strong communication strategy that enabled remote work and helped him get through - read online.

Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) announced that it has changed its name to the Minnesota Technology Association (MnTech) and unveiled a new logo and website in support of this change - read more.
2020 Innovation Awards
We’re pleased to announce the 2nd annual TECNA Innovation Awards will be moved online and occurring live virtually on July 23, 2020 at 12:00pm PT/3:00pm ET. We look forward to taking this time to celebrate the extraordinary work of our TECNA member staff in 2019.
Nominations may be made by TECNA member council staff, a member of your tech council or Board, or by a community or government partner of your tech council.

Award categories include:
  • Membership Retention & Recruitment
  • Creative Marketing & Communications
  • Talent Pipeline & Workforce
  • Major Impact on Tech Community
  • Public Policy/Advocacy

We’ve also added a special element to recognize and showcase the top initiatives of our member councils responding and adapting to the COVID-19 Crisis in Q1 & Q2 2020 – to celebrate your innovative work and share the best practices with our members. Nominate your Initial COVID Response Plan/Actions online using the same awards nominations form.

With all nominations, please submit a brief, simple video (guidelines included on website) that can be shared when highlighting finalists and winners.
TECNA Launches Health Insurance Benefit

TECNA launched a new health insurance benefit for members, as well your corporate members. TECNA is committed to helping member councils provide additional value to you, your staff and your members. Insurance is one area where TECNA may be able to offer immediate savings on items for which you and your members are currently paying. Your council must be a member of TECNA in good standing to qualify for this benefit. Please click here to see an overview of TECNA’s Health Insurance Benefit.

Coming Soon: Member General Liability, Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Cyber Liability, Property & Workers Compensation Insurance.

Questions: Contact Tim Jemal, [email protected].
Communities of Interest Webinars
TECNA Communities of Interest (COI) are peer-to-peer collaborations and information-sharing groups exclusively for members: membership, events, workforce and communications.

During webinars and Slack discussions, TECNA members share best practices and gain valuable insights on solving common challenges.
Bi-weekly Events Community Online Huddle
Informally discussing challenges and best practices in online events every-other-Friday at 10:00am PT/1:00pm ET.
Next Webinar Date: May15

Membership Community of Interest Huddle
Date: TBD
Topic:TBD

Workforce Community of Interest Webinar Q2
Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 10:00am PT/1:00pm ET
Topic: TBD

Communications Community of Interest Webinar Q2
Date: TBD
Topic: TBD

Requests or ideas for Community of Interest webinar topics, contact the COI Chairs:

Recent past COI call recordings and slide decks are available for download in the members-only portal on the TECNA website. Login at tecna.org/login and click on the Resources tab to view.
TECNA Summer Conference Cancelled
Due to the impact of COVID-19, 2020 TECNA Summer Conference originally set to be held July 22-24, 2020, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is postponed.
We are also pleased to announce that the 2021 TECNA Summer Conference will be held in Pittsburgh and hosted by TECNA member Pittsburgh Technology Council. We plan to utilize all venues and activities previously scheduled for 2020 when we meet in-person next year. The PTC team has worked hard to orchestrate the logistics, and we appreciate their willingness to be flexible in hosting this signature TECNA event.
TECNA CARES Act Advocacy
TECNA Urges Paycheck Protection for Tech Associations
On April 6, 2020, TECNA, along with nearly the entire U.S. membership, sent a letter to the U.S. Congress and the Trump Administration urging that trade and membership associations can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the CARES Act. To read the full letter, click here. TECNA also published a news release, to see the news release click here .
TechGirlz Partnership Opportunities for TECNA Members
TECNA and TechGirlz are partnering in 2020 to offer member tech councils the opportunity to host a workshop.

The TechGirlz program works to make learning technology both thrilling and inviting for middle school girls, through their free extra curricular workshops (or TechShopz as their coined them!). From programming to robotics, web/app design, genetics and beyond, there is so much for the TechGirlz to experience. Their vision is to create a world where girls have a lifelong passion and confidence in their use of technology throughout their careers.

TECNA member councils interested in organizing a TechGirlz workshop please contact Alina Hardy, [email protected].
Subscribe to TECNA Event Calendars
Click a link below and follow the prompts to synchronize with the default calendar on your system (if available). To synchronize with a different calendar, copy and paste the desired URL into your calendar software in the location where feeds are accepted, often identified with "Subscribe", "Add Calendar", etc.



Contact Alina for assistance, [email protected].
TECNA on Slack
Join TECNA's community on Slack exclusively for TECNA Member Council staff. Slack Channels include membership, events, talent/workforce and private channel for CEOs. A policy Slack Channel will be launching soon.
TECNA Members Only

You can group chat, private message, share files and search the discussion archive for help and best practices shared by other members.

Contact Alina Hardy with questions about Slack.
Thank You to TECNA's Strategic Sponsor
Keep Us Informed
We are always looking to provide valuable content to TECNA members. If you have any suggestions for content in the TECNA Digest, please email: [email protected].