Author: Keith Instone

  • CodeMash 2017 Sponsor

    CodeMash 2017 Sponsor

    Tech Toledo was a sponsor of the CodeMash 2017 conference (January 12 & 13), and it was a great experience. Instead of just attending, we had an “exhibitor table” where we engaged with the 2000 software developers and others who were spending the week at the Kalahari Convention Center/Resort/Waterpark in Sandusky. We got a lot out of…

  • TechHire Summit, 12/21

    TechHire Summit, 12/21

    I (Keith) was fortunate to be able to attend the TechHire Summit (“Building the Tech Workforce of Tomorrow”) on December 21st. Being invited is an example of one of the benefits of being part of the national TechHire network: you get to go to events like this to get updates on TechHire, meet other community…

  • Mixer Recap

    Mixer Recap

    Thanks to everyone who attended the Tech Toledo Geek Dinner Holiday Mixer on December 8th! We estimate that we had 100 people there, another great crowd, many regulars and many more newcomers. If you heard about a group and want to learn more, check out the updated Group page, with links to web sites, meetup…

  • TechHire Announcement

    TechHire Announcement

    We are excited (to say the least) to be a part of the TechHire announcement that is going on right now (11am on December 1st). Toledo joins 19 other communities in today’s announcement dedicated to building inclusive tech ecosystems. Livestream of the announcement on Facebook Live from The Iron Yard White House fact sheet Our TechHire…

  • TechHire pilot: IT Specialist

    TechHire pilot: IT Specialist

    We have been making good progress with TechHire for the Toledo region: employers signed up, letters of recommendation from elected officials, and a team of partners. Unfortunately, the White House did not make any designations in October, as planned. We are still moving forward and using parts of the TechHire Playbook. One of our pilot projects is…

  • Call for Sponsors: December Mixer

    Call for Sponsors: December Mixer

    For the first time, we are openly soliciting sponsors for the Tech Toledo Geek Dinner Holiday Mixer. What: Largest social gathering of IT professionals in the Toledo region (100 people expected) featuring a recap of 2016 and information on various IT-related groups When: December 8, 5:30pm – 8pm Where: The Blarney Event Center, 601 Monroe…

  • Holiday Mixer 2016

    Holiday Mixer 2016

    Tech Toledo invites all information technology professionals to join us on December 8th for the 6th Annual Geek Dinner Holiday Mixer. This is the largest social gathering of IT professionals in the Toledo region. Members of regional IT groups (such a user groups and meet-ups) will be in attendance, holding their annual end-of-year Geek Dinners…

  • Be a Mentor at GlassHacks

    Be a Mentor at GlassHacks

    A team of students at Maumee Valley Country Day School is putting on GlassHacks, a 24-hour event for high school students to learn how to write software and make things with technology. From noon Saturday, October 15th to noon, Sunday, October 16th, one hundred students are expected to participate in GlassHacks. Learn more about the…

  • Employer Commitment to TechHire

    Employer Commitment to TechHire

    You can help the Toledo Region achieve designation as a “TechHire community.” This will kick-start new training in IT skills for our regional workforce. We need employers like you to commit to participating in our TechHire Toledo Region efforts. You do not have to be a “tech company” to participate. Any company that needs employees…

  • MakerFest! 9/24

    MakerFest! 9/24

    In addition to Connect IT on 9/13, Tech Toledo is helping put on a second major event in September: MakerFest! on September 24th at the University of Toledo It is a celebration of the local “maker movement.” Some of the things you can expect to see: robots, woodworking, kids coding, 3d printers, JitterCritters, art projects, science demonstrations, handmade crafts,…

  • 2nd EPIC Toledo Connect IT

    2nd EPIC Toledo Connect IT

    Tech Toledo is collaborating with EPIC Toledo to bring you the 2nd Connect IT: “Bringing Together Information Technology Professionals in the Toledo Region.” Tuesday, September 13, 5:30pm – 7:30pm Paramount Auditorium, 1901 Indian Wood Cir, Maumee, OH 43537 FREE but registration is required Come to Connect IT to learn something new, meet other Information Technology professionals, and…

  • TechHire Designation for Toledo

    TechHire Designation for Toledo

    Tech Toledo connects the IT, design and entrepreneur communities in the Toledo region by guiding grass root efforts, organizing events for networking and education, and providing strategic roadmaps for collaboration. Tech Toledo is leading a submission to designate the Toledo Region a “TechHire Community.” Read below to learn more about the initiative, what our approach…

  • Helping NWSPUG: Peter Morville, 6/15

    Helping NWSPUG: Peter Morville, 6/15

    Tech Toledo is helping NWSPUG put on its next event: User Experience pioneer Peter Morville, The Architecture of Understanding, 10:30am – 1pm, June 15th, at One SeaGate in downtown Toledo. Learn more about Peter, his talk, and why you should attend. Free networking, free talk, free lunch. Register! We are providing financial services like we are doing…

  • Supporting Refresh Detroit

    Supporting Refresh Detroit

    Tech Toledo is happy to be supporting Refresh Detroit‘s Global Accessibility Awareness Day. On May 19th, we encourage Toledoans in a variety of digital professions to head up to Grand Circus in downtown Detroit to “see” what is is like to use the web with a screen reader. Register at meetup.com: cost is only $5. The…

  • “User Insights” recap

    “User Insights” recap

    On April 12th, Tech Toledo partnered with the BGSU student ACM chapter (computer science students, mainly) to host Darren Kall’s talk “User Insights for the Whole Team” at BGSU. The general feedback was positive: great topic, good examples, very knowledgeable speaker, and nice to meet people from various groups. It was crowded and got warm…

  • Ohio Tech Issues Report

    Ohio Tech Issues Report

    Back in January, we helped collect data for the Ohio Tech Industry Advocacy Survey. A report based on the first set of results was published a while ago. Download 2015 Ohio Tech Issues Report (PDF, 8 pages) One key purpose of the report is to “help increase lawmakers’ understanding of the industry and how they can…

  • User Insights for the Whole Team, April 12th

    User Insights for the Whole Team, April 12th

    Tech Toledo is working with the BGSU Student Chapter of ACM (computer science majors and other future IT professionals) on an event on April 12th at BGSU. Lean, agile, and startup processes emphasis creating customer value and satisfying user needs, both expressed an unexpressed. How do you get valid customer and user insights to guide…

  • Tech industry growing in Michigan

    Tech industry growing in Michigan

    The release of two reports that show an increase in high-tech jobs in Michigan triggered an article by Tyrel Linkhorn of The Blade (published yesterday, March 5th). He was looking for a Toledo angle, so he contacted me (Keith) and we talked for 30 minutes or so. He used two quotes from me. Here are…

  • Lima Tech Conference, 4/14

    Lima Tech Conference, 4/14

    The Lima 2016 Tech Conference will be April 14th. This is the premier event for IT vendors in the region. It is organized by LRITA, the Lima Regional Information Technology Alliance. Check out the conference web site for more information. Learn about how to be a sponsor, exhibitor, presenter and attendee. Some hi-lites: Keynote presenter Damian…

  • UX Conference, Feb 3

    UX Conference, Feb 3

    Tech Toledo is one of the organizers of the 4th User Experience Toledo Region conference. February 3, 2016, from 9am to 5pm, at the Toledo Museum of Art. Featuring remote speakers from Rosenfeld Media. The topic is Product Management and User Experience. Tickets are $50 and include the program (live and recordings afterwards), networking, lunch,…

  • Ohio Tech Industry Advocacy Survey

    Ohio Tech Industry Advocacy Survey

    Calling all IT leaders in the Toledo region! We need a few minutes of your time to fill out a survey about the issues that are important to you (such as IT talent attraction and tech start-up funding). The results of our survey will be added to data from other Ohio regions to help advocate…

  • 2014-15 Group Summary

    2014-15 Group Summary

    A summary of local tech groups that were active in 2014 (handed out as a flyer/PDF at the 4th Annual TechToledo GeekDinner HolidayMixer) with updates for 2015 (see slides from 2015 mixer). Also: summaries for 2012 & 2013. New in 2015: Group 2014 activity More information Toledo Web Professionals: Promote the web industry, education &…

  • Details for Dec 10 Geek Dinner Holiday Mixer

    Details for Dec 10 Geek Dinner Holiday Mixer

    For those of you attending the 5th Annual Tech Toledo Geek Dinner Holiday Mixer (Thursday, December 10th, Blarney Event Center), here are details on the schedule, food and drink options for the evening. 5:30pm: Doors open Sign in upon arrival and be sure to circle all of the groups you are affiliated with. Fill out…

  • Open invitation to 2015 Geek Dinner

    Open invitation to 2015 Geek Dinner

    Tech Toledo invites all information technology professionals to join us on December 10th for the 5th Annual Geek Dinner Holiday Mixer. This will be one the year’s largest social gatherings of the IT community in the Toledo Region. We have been averaging over 50 attendees the past few years, and we have a new venue…