Calling Gulf Coast Techies

I am exploring options for a creating Gulf Coast Technology Collaborative.

There are a few technology-based groups in the area, but they’re topic-specific. What I would like to create with some help is a very broad-based tech group that will serve several purposes:

1. to foster innovation among individuals outside of a work environment
2. to keep abreast of emerging technologies
3. to provide professional development opportunities
4. to provide “networking opportunities”, and to pave the way for incoming tech professionals
5. to provide corporate and educational outreach
6. to serve our respective communities

Ultimately I would like to see working groups for Hardware, Software, Operating Systems, Security, Professional Presence, Mobile Technologies, Network Technologies, Certification Study, New Media, and Graphics/Imaging.

Working in one group would not preclude working in another group, and members of groups, or whole groups themselves, could collaborate on projects.

My vision for this is not a tightly structured, mandated “meeting every week” organization. In fact, most collaboration can now be done online, and groups and sub-groups can meet as necessary, with a quarterly all-groups meeting, and an annual expo with all projects presented.

I don’t want to put a lot of effort into this if I can’t find enough interest to make it worth it. But employers don’t want to pay for training, and technology is always moving. Imagine if your boss is considering a new technology and you knew someone in the Collaborative who is a subject matter expert on that technology–you could become the subject matter expert for your company.

If you’re interested, get in touch with me in one of the following ways:

1. Leave a comment below
2. send an email to thisgeekiknowemail@gmail.com
3. send me a tweet at @thisgeekiknow

If you’re not interested, but know someone who might be, please pass this on to them.