Atilus Internet Marketing & Web Development

Contact: Skye K. Robinson, Communications Chair, 239-410-1418
Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership (SWFRTP)

Technology Professionals Networking Opportunity

Fort Myers, FL  June 6, 2008 — The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership (SWFRTP) is holding a “Networking After Work” event on Thursday, June 12 from 5:00 until 7:00 at the Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant located inside Bass Pro Shops at Gulf Coast Town Center.  The purpose of the event is to allow technology professionals to meet, exchange ideas and foster working relationships. The event is open to everyone who has an interest in technology; whether they are a provider of technical products and services, or whether they embrace technology in their normal business practice.

The event will include a business card drawing in which 2 winners will receive a “WCI Experience Card”. The card entitles the raffle winner and 3 guests to play any one of WCI’s 13 championship golf courses for only $50.00 per person; a substantial savings.

SWFRTP is a non-profit organization that recently formed to promote and encourage technical growth in this region. Their mission is to catalyze, cultivate and connect high-tech business throughout Southwest Florida. The organization encompasses both technology firms that deliver technical solutions as their core business such as Internet Office, Inc. and Surround Technologies, and technology enabled companies such as WilsonMiller and WCI Communities. Interest groups such as Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and Collier County Economic Development Council and other’s who have a closely aligned interest are also represented.

For more information about the “Networking After Work” event, or to learn more about the group’s objectives and initiatives please visit http://www.swfrtp.org/ or call Kevin Barnhill at 239-280-7327.

06 Jun | Post by Zach Katkin. Filed under Networking, SWFRTP.

I just got back from a meeting by the SWFRTP. I don’t really want to talk about the meeting, more touch on something someone said at the meeting - something that has just caught my attention.

First, a tiny background on SWFRTP. SWFRTP stands for Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership. It is a newly formed group that has grand plans for the area (Southwest Florida). SWFRTP is trying to bring technology awareness to Southwest Florida.  In a nutshell, when you think of technology you think of California (Silicon Valley), you think of Tampa, Seattle, etc. How did these places get to be known as “Technology Hubs”? How did all of that work, people, and technology-oriented business get there? Through groups like SWFRTP. It’s a grand task, but it’s being driven by people and leaders that are up to the challenge and we were truly honored to be able to join them today.

Anyway, a person at the meeting spoke up with something like the following:

“Technology solves business problems, we need to involve more businesses, CEOs, etc. No one wants to hear about the technology, they just want to know problems it is going to solve.”

A great point! And one mirrored in something I just read:

“our [web]site is not designed to ‘make us money’…”

I know we’ve written pieces before about similar issues. But, EVERY website should make money. But, at the end of the day, it’s not JUST about money. Websites are tools you can use to solve business problems.

Does your business want to grow its sales?

A website is a tool you can use to solve this. The problem of sales can be addressed through a well optimized (both for search engines and conversions) website and proper marketing.

Do your prospective clients spend a lot of your time and money (in printing costs) coming to your office for information about your product or service in doing research?

Well, don’t punish your customers. Solve two problems at once. Make sure your company information, news, events, pictures are on your website. Allow them to do their research more easily and save yourself some dollars on printing those fancy brochures and spending time qualifying people. Also, let your potential clients fall in love with your charity endeavors, and ideas through a press release section or blog.

There are countless other examples, but viewing technology not as an expense, but as a solution, and ultimately - quite quickly - an invaluable asset that will SAVE YOU MONEY and MAKE YOU MONEY is key to success in business in the 21st century.

05 Jun | Post by Zach Katkin. Filed under SWFRTP, Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership, Web Design.

Just wanted to make a quick post about a new upcoming Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership event. On June 12th there will be “Networking After Work” from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The networking event will be held at: Islamorada Fish Company at Gulf Coast Town Center inside of Bass Pro Shops

Here is a link to a map.

05 Jun | Post by Zach Katkin. Filed under SWFRTP, Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership.

FORT MYERS, FL., May 6, 2008 – The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership will host a launch event on Thursday, May 22, 2008, to discuss the opportunities for building a roadmap to local technology in Southwest Florida. The meeting will be held at WCI Pelican Preserve, 9802 Pelican Preserve Blvd., in Fort Myers, Florida. Registration begins at 4 p.m. with the presentation starting at 4:30 p.m.

The Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership is one of a number of regional groups that help keep policy in line at the state level and keep their respective regions grounded by bringing influential members of the community together to share best practices. The group consists of technology leaders in the eight-county region, including Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

According to Enterprise Florida, state colleges and universities performed more then $1.5 billion (2005) in sponsored research, working closely with business and industry to create cutting-edge technologies. Their work has generated more than $427.4 million in royalties to the state since the year 2000. It is hoped that a regional group could help to embrace this concept in Southwest Florida and further increase the statewide numbers.

“The pace of new technology, innovation-oriented business development in the United States has never been so rapid nor the competition so intense,” said Kevin Barnhill, Chairman of the Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership. “Southwest Florida has yet to name its prominent newcomer, but the region has all the qualities to compete at this level.”

Speakers at the Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership launch meeting will include Randy Berridge, President of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council; Tony DiBenedetto, President of Tribridge and Founder of the Tampa Bay Technology Forum; and Brian Mehaffey, Vice President of Engineering and CIO of Ave Maria University.

Event guests and sponsors include WCI Communities and AT&T. The meeting is open to the public. The cost is $15 per person in advance or $25 per person the day of the event. Registration is required either before the event by visiting online at www.SWFRTP.org/Launch or at the door.

03 Jun | Post by Zach Katkin. Filed under SWFRTP, Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership.