Erin Haluschak
Record Staff
It’s something which affects nearly all of us in our daily lives, and the president and CEO of the Co amox Valley Chamber of Commerce is hoping to celebrate the Valley’s growing tech sector.
Following last fall’s Comox Valley Round Table on Tech and Innovation, Dianne Hawkins hopes to bring an awareness and “build momentum to what actually exists in the Valley.”
“Many are not aware of all the tech industry in the Valley, and we want to celebrate this,” she explained. “The tech sector was earmarked by our board … for the ability to support at whatever level is available.”
Organizer Hans Peter Meyer said the tech sector across Vancouver Island has been growing significantly, and stakeholders are hoping to make the Comox Valley another hub for the burgeoning sector.
Last week, a report from the roundtable was completed, and Hawkins noted it’s important the grassroots, non-political, non-partisan organization is highlighted. As a result, the chamber is planning to host a Comox Valley Tech Expo in October, to coincide with small business month, she added.
“It’s open to those from Nanaimo north to participate and it allows us to pull of us together in one room, and lets the tech communities to do a show and tell for gadgets and demonstrations.”
Along with working professionals, Hawkins said they are inviting North Island College and members of School District 71.
Steve Morgan, a self described “tech-nerd” who participated in the roundtable and analysis of the report, said the Valley’s tech sector can easily follow in the footsteps of other tech sectors around North America.
As a former tech employee from the Silicon Valley, Morgan explained he saw two key steps come from the report: to have companies know of the tech organizations in the North Island and have them working together, and engaging them as part of an entrepreneurial network.
“We need to be able to not look at the restrictions; we’re not geographically bound,” he added.
He noted the Valley has a lot of the pieces of the tech puzzle, it’s now a matter of pulling them together and working collectively.
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