The Way I See It… by Michael C. Volker
The ASI
Exchange: a paragon in building a technology community
Canada boasts
a number of technology “clusters”, i.e. regional concentrations of technology
ventures in which the local infrastructure facilitates and encourages the
growth and development of such companies.
For example,
technology clusters are thriving in Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, Calgary and
Vancouver because of the intellectual capital resource, i.e. the talented
individuals, universities and research organizations in those areas. These, and
the growing number of techno-centric advisors, angels, venture capitalists and
professional service providers, provide the ingredients to “make technology
happen” as Denny Doyle would say. Bringing these various participants together
to share knowledge and to collaborate with each other is instrumental in
building an environment for innovation.
I recall how
my involvement with CATA (Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance), back in its
early days, greatly aided the development of my own company. Participating in
the many events, meetings, and conferences hosted by CATA, enabled me to
increase my exposure to other firms and organizations and form many valuable
relationships. The value of networking cannot be overstated.
The B.C.
Advanced Systems Institute (ASI) has elevated the art of networking to a new
level. ASI was formed as an independent non-profit organization in the late
1980’s to build bridges among various players B.C.’s then-fledgling information
technology industry. It connected the stakeholders - University researchers and
academics, high-tech entrepreneurs, investors, advisors and government policy
makers through a number of successful initiatives.
One such
initiative is “The ASI Exchange”, a model for the fostering of high technology
networking. The ASI Exchange started in 1992 as a “spring presentations day” –
an occasion for grad students at the B.C. Universities to show and tell their
interests to local technology companies. The idea was to not only provide
companies with access to new recruits, but also to showcase university research
with a view to developing collaborative university-industry projects.
This year, as
The ASI Exchange celebrates its tenth anniversary, it expects to host more than
3,000 participants, a remarkable increase from the 60 who attended in the first
year. Over 2,300 participants attended last year - not only hundreds of
high-tech industry professionals, but also hundreds of post secondary education
institution researchers and corporations.
The ASI
Exchange is now regarded as B.C.’s premier technology gathering. It is the only
event that brings together all of BC's high-tech community to swap ideas and
explore research, financial and other collaborations.
The place
buzzes with excitement. Industry leaders are engaged in a distinguished speaker
series. The many corporate booths, demonstrations, poster-sessions, workshops
and seminars provide a stimulating ambience.
For example, Burnaby-based Electronic Arts Canada presents its EA Arcade
where attendees can check out the latest gaming industry research - presented
by EA's graduate student interns.
Awards and
prizes are also offered to graduate students who have an outstanding poster or
interactive display and are able to communicate their research most
effectively.
B.C.’s
Information, Science and Technology Agency and corporate sponsors such as
Electronic Arts and Telus underwrite the event. As such, attendance is
complimentary and open to the entire community. All attendees receive ASI’s
Advanced Technology Directory, an annual publication including profiles of many
of BC's advanced technology companies, support organizations and university
researchers.
What better
way is there for discovering what’s happening in one’s high technology
community? Not only are such meetings educational and informative, they’re a
great deal of fun. Young entrepreneurs get to mingle with the who’s who of
technology success stories. I liken it to a bunch of kids of all ages being let
loose in a humungous technology candy shop!
This
remarkable all-day event will take place on Tuesday, March 13, 2001 at the
Enterprise Hall in Vancouver’s Plaza of Nations. Complete details are available
at www.asiexchange.com.
The way I see
it, The ASI Exchange isn’t just another opportunity to network. It transcends
that. It’s all about creating a culture for innovation within the community to
build a vibrant technology sector.
Michael Volker is a high technology entrepreneur and director of Simon Fraser U's University/Industry Liaison Office. He oversees Vancouver’s Angel Technology Network and is a director of the BC Advanced Systems Institute and the Vancouver Enterprise Forum. He may be reached at mike@risktaker.com.