Yes its our Hello World! post. I was hoping for this moment: HELLO WORLD!
Sarcasm aside I am very excited to be working on the project with Jeff. Our hope is to genuinely create a tech culture here in Phoenix. Not a tech business network but a tech culture, meaning a group of people who have a passion for tech and want to hang out a discuss what they are doing with it, be it for business or fun.
I am Roger Williams and the other igniter is Jeff Moriarty. We are ready to see more action taken for making the tech culture in phoenix really start getting together and mingling. I am coming from a sales background and Jeff is a programmer. We want to see more done outside of the regular way of networking. No more single presentations for 1 hour. You get 5 minutes, make it good, make it addictive. You also get to hear 16 presenters, listen up and get involved with the ones you like.
So leave us some comments about what we are missing and what you want to see done to make phoenix a tech haven.
5 responses so far ↓
1 tyson crosbie // Jun 3, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I love the idea guys, seems to be reaching critical mass in #phx, the idea that it is time to assert our identity here. To stop what we have been doing and start doing something great.
One small criticism: I understand the need to define a group and establish a community that will actually meet in real life. However I would like to see Phoenix also develop bridges between communities like tech, art, culture, business, etc. Wouldn’t the community benefit from a liberal presentation of ideas, methods and personalities?
Just thinking out loud. I’ll definitely be there when it happens, also let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
2 Halfacat // Jun 9, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Hi tyson!
Its Roger, thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment and the small criticism.
We are definitely aware that this can be a vehicle to bringing much more than just the tech people together and hopefully it will quickly get there. We want to start somewhat focused and see where it takes us.
Just because we are focused on tech should not make anyone feel excluded. In fact we hope to use this as a catalyst, or ignition (if you will =), to bringing all the various groups in the PHX together. We already see the effect that Twitter is having on us. This is exactly the effect we want Ignite Phoenix to have.
Thanks again and thank you for your commitment. This is gonna be a blast!
3 Jeff // Jun 9, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Tyson, thanks for the comment!
The original O’Reilly was tech related, but who knows which way things will go. For example, Portland’s is very social oriented. I think it will reflect the personality of the community.
I’d love to see a bunch of related groups show up, where we maybe do Ignite Tech, then Ignite Arts, or whatever makes sense. It’s organic, so if you have ideas, we want to hear them!
4 Mark // Jun 24, 2008 at 2:30 am
I must say, I am looking forward to this. My wife and I recently moved here from Virginia and previous to that from Seattle. The thing we noticed about Phoenix is that it seems (not being critical here) that there is not a big focus from the State to usher in more technology companies; compared to a SF, Boston, Seattle, northern Virginia and others.
My hope is that groups like this one will encourage entrepreneurs, start ups to seek the Phoenix market and the state along with other institutions to bring and attract talent here, and therefore will attract other investors to put monies into those businesses here.
Perhaps I am out of touch, (although when I moved here I took an executive position at a public .com firm, member of AZTech Council, and have gotten my feet wet a bit in the community), but if anything, I notice a lot of Biotech / Bioscience and Manufacturing in Arizona. This is great, but personally, I would like to see more niche companies, along with software development companies, Gaming, Green / Renewable Energy companies, with ideas that can change the world and solid exit strategies., that will attract more VC’s and Angels to the area, and including the current lack of Incubators (for profit / non-profit).. I only know of one in Phoenix (thinking about starting another).
Again, kudo’s for starting this group! I will attend myself.
5 Jeff // Jun 24, 2008 at 8:05 am
@Mark - Thanks for the input, and I heartily agree! You can RSVP at our Upcoming page, and please help spread the word about this event! We’re looking for presenters, so if you or someone you know would like to get involved, drop us a note!
Upcoming: http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/796687
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