The 'Partnership' Gig.
November 23, 2001

The TECH-table is pleased to be hosting its 'Partnership' Gig on November 23rd, sponsored by the Greater Halifax Partnership as our Prime Sponsor and KPMG as our Supporting Sponsor. This late afternoon reception will not only end a day of significant tech. events in Halifax, but will also provide a joint networking event for ITANS, TARA and BioNova members, all hosted by the TECH-table, for the first time. We are also pleased to be welcoming Mayor Kelly and the various Atlantic Canada mayors who are meeting in Halifax, in addition to CATA officials from the morning's TechAction TownHall event.

CATA TechAction Town Hall
November 23, 2001

The TECH-table is pleased to be a local sponsor of CATA's TechAction Town Hall, see this link, that is being hosted by Mayor Kelly on November 23rd. This event complements Nova Scotia's first Executive IT Summit, see this link, that the TECH-table hosted with the Government of Nova Scotia earlier this year, as a further action step in defining Halifax's and Nova Scotia's technology industry capabilities and the required action steps for its further success and prosperity. Local business and technology industry leaders have been invited to this event.

Going Public: Atlantic Canada Roadshow
November 26 - 28, 2001

The Canadian Venture Exchange (CDNX), the Investment Dealers Association (IDA), and the TECH-table are hosting a road show of evening networking presentations and receptions on the Canadian public markets in the following cities.

• Halifax -- November 26
• Moncton -- November 27
• St. John's -- November 28

The "High Speed Dating" Gig
March 28, 2002

The TECH-table hosted its "High Speed Dating" Gig on March 28th at the DND Stadacona Wardroom. In addition to offering our usual intense B2B networking environment, we were pleased to turn up the speed and intensity of our match-making efforts in a truly unique format, hence our Gig's title. Our sponsors included Novagrowth, www.novagrowth.com from Moncton and the TECH-table Directors. Our concise and motivating Ladder Pitches were given by Novagrowth, IVT, www.immunovaccine.com, and Yorkton Securities, www.yorkton.com.

The announcement of this Gig coincided with the newest release of our web site, courtesy of Minus 13 and hosted by Atlantec Solutions, where we welcomed Halifax's Aerospace and Defence, Biotechnology and Oil & Gas technology industry leaders to our vibrant Information Technology community. This late afternoon reception was a splendid way for the Halifax tech. community to kick off Spring and start the long Easter weekend !

The "Digital Pier" Gig
July 25, 2002

Summer arrived and the TECH-table celebrated it at another one of our infamous power networking Gigs by hosting our "Digital Pier" Gig on July 25th. Our renowned and intense B2B and P2P networking environment included our supportive Ladder Pitches, plus our new 'High-Speed Dating' line-ups, as introduced at our last Gig, were back by popular demand !!

We were very pleased to be supported by two of our previous sponsors. Our Prime Sponsor was McKenzie College, while our Supporting Sponsor was the Halifax office of KPMG. This Gig was held in concert with McKenzie College's vibrant Student Design Showcase and exhibition.

This late afternoon reception offered the region's technology and business leaders an excellent opportunity to view some stunning examples of the most dynamic digital media while enjoying one of Canada's most pleasant and best historical sites at Pier 21. An excellent time was had by all !

The AMIRIX and NSBI "Go Fish!" Gig.
September 19, 2002.

The TECH-table was back after a glorious Nova Scotia summer for another one of our infamous power networking Gigs on September 19th. We were very pleased to be supported by two new and progressive sponsors. Our Prime Sponsor was AMIRIX Systems Inc., while our Supporting Sponsor was Nova Scotia Business Inc.. So what did fish have to do with high-tech and smart business you ask? Those who attended the AMIRIX Gig found out!

This late afternoon reception provided the region's technology and business leaders with an excellent opportunity to visit one of Halifax's most successful high technology companies to view their facilities and proactively mingle with their peers!

The Cox Hanson O'Reilly Matheson and PricewaterhouseCoopers "Becoming Investor Ready" CEO Seminar and Gig.
November 21st, 2002.

The TECH-table hosted its packed Fall Gig at Ryan Duffy's Speakeasy, following a special invitational seminar for CEOs and senior management from all over Nova Scotia on "Getting your Company Investor Ready", with detailed presentations from our two co-sponsors on preparing firms for investment, due diligence, IP and corporate structure issues and the new security regulations.

The Gig's proactive business & technology networking environment included a very dynamic 'High-Speed Matchmaking' line-up and Ladder Pitches from Halifax and Sydney companies seeking investment attention and attraction from the audience.

Sponsor Appreciation Reception.
January 23, 2003.

In recognition of the excellent support that the TECH-table has received from its many Partners, Sponsors, Hosts and friends since its founding, the Board hosted an intimate reception in appreciation of this support for our friends at the Bitter End Bar. It was our way of saying thanks to our many supportive sponsors and friends, and to also announce several new exciting programs and plans for the coming year. We also appreciated the fine support of Corby Distilleries at our reception.

Canadian IT Financing Forum - Toronto.
May 21, 2003.

The TECH-table was pleased to support the Canadian IT Financing Forum, Canada’s #1 IT venture capital showcase, as its Atlantic Canadian Business Partner by attending the event to enhance and solidify our relationship for future joint endeavours.

Over 300 delegates including 94 VCs gathered for the 8th Canadian IT Financing Forum in Toronto. Thirty-four Companies presented to a receptive audience that included 22 US Investors. The 'Forum Favourite' Award resulted in a three way tie. This year's winners were: Blueair Networks, Chantry Networks and Digital Oilfield.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers and Patterson Palmer CEO Seminar and Summer BBQ.
June 26, 2003.

The TECH-table hosted its first ever Summer BBQ Gig, for another round of stimulating and profitable power networking, at North America's oldest yacht club, the RNSYS. The Gig followed a special invitational seminar for CEOs and senior management concerning "SR&ED credits and new investor exemptions.", with detailed presentations from our two co-sponsors, Patterson Palmer and PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the CCRA.

The BBQ Gig held in the Spar Loft included its Power Networking circles and several Ladder Pitches for those companies seeking investment attention and attraction from the audience. .

The BioNova "Biotech and Business - a profitable brew" reception.
September 11, 2003.

The TECH-table co-hosted the main reception at this year's Atlantic region biotechnology and life sciences industry conference BioPort 2003, presented by BioNova, at the The Waterfront Warehouse. This late afternoon reception provided the region's technology and business leaders with an excellent opportunity to proactively mingle with their peers from the Atlantic biotech industry and the BioPort conference and experience our first 'sit down' Power Networking exercise.

Atlantic Innovation Day - Come meet the Winners & Celebrate!
October 3rd, 2003.

In association with the Manning Innovation Awards the TECH-table hosted an afternoon of celebrations and stimulating brainwaves around the success of Atlantic Canada's innovative business and academic culture. For the first time ever, all four National Manning Innovation Awards were won by four Atlantic individuals in 2003, with roots in each province! Each year the Manning Foundation distributes $145,000, including the $100,000 Manning Principal Award, among four leading Canadian innovators, plus an additional $20,000 among eight young Canada-Wide Science Fair winners. Supporting sponsors for the day included The York Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Staffing Strategists International.

In what was probably the TECH-table's most extensive event to date, the day consisted of a luncheon presentation sponsored by EnCana, where we were introduced to the four major winners and Science Fair winners in a truly dynamic fashion, displays from the four Manning winners, along with innovators from the leading Atlantic Universities and several local firms, followed by the "Atlantic Innovation Showcase" sponsored by InNOVAcorp, with more displays from early stage innovators from throughout Atlantic Canada. Our Ladder Pitches were followed by a brief but dynamic and real-life presentation by the President of the University of Toronto Innovation Foundation and its Exceler@tor incubator facility, sponsored by NSBI. We were honoured by guests from all Atlantic provinces.

The afternoon sessions preceded the sold out 22nd Annual National Manning Awards Presentation dinner that evening, sponsored by Scotiabank and with the Hon. Frank J. McKenna, P.C., Q.C. as the Dinner Chairman.

Climbing the ladder, TECH-Table 'Gigs' helping industry grow.

As published in the 2004 Herald Business Review, Thursday, January 22, 2004.
By Suzanne Rent / Special Features Writer
Copyright © 2004 The Halifax Herald Limited

Networking is a crucial factor in developing a business. But establishing a useful business network can sometimes be tedious and difficult.

The TECH-Table in Halifax has found a unique and fun way for local business professionals to network proactively and profitably.

The TECH-Table was started in 1999 by a group of professionals in the technology industry that met monthly at the Halifax Club. They were looking for a way to connect with other professionals in the city.

"Our plan was to put some of the old boys with old money together with the new entrepreneurs and their ideas," says David Gough, one of the founders of the TECH-Table and president of Gough Technology Group Inc.

The group held its first major public meeting or 'Gig' the Friday after Y2K. The idea quickly caught on and rapidly expanded to include more business professionals.

Membership now is at over 800 and includes professionals from the government and academic sectors.

Gigs can be formal events preceded by CEO seminars or they can take place in a local pub and are sponsored by other local or national businesses seeking exposure to TECH-Table's membership.

It's the way people network at these Gigs that make TECH-Table unique. During a Gig each guest will meet everyone else at the Gig once. A second go-around will allow guests to meet again and focus on those guests who may help them with their business by exposing an opportunity, suggesting a contact or initiating a deal.

According to Mr. Gough, the power networking has lived up to TECH-Table's motto - 'Have fun, make money.'

"You start to proactively create business leads and you get the industries meeting. The deals start to flow and people gain new friendships."

James Nicoll has been a member of TECH-Table since its inception. Nicoll, who is Vice President of PricewaterhouseCoopers and a specialist in corporate finance, says the Gigs are a chance to network with lots of people in one night.

"The object is not to meet one or two people at your table. The object is to meet people you don't already know who maybe you can do business with," says Mr. Nicoll.

One of the most interesting ways to let people know what you do is a Ladder Pitch. Guests at a Gig are invited to literally climb a ladder and are given two minutes to tell the audience about any aspect of their business.

Sean Sears, founder of Abridean, a global software company, has made eight ladder pitches and says TECH-Table's contribution to local business is immeasurable.

"I end up in a room with a lot of similar executives," Mr. Sears says. "What's germane to me is germane to everyone else. That creates a positive atmosphere and a more open networking experience. TECH-Table has had the biggest impact in technology than anything in 10 years."

For 2004, the TECH-Table will continue its Gigs and expand its executive seminars and workshops and further expand into New Brunswick.

A new EXEC-Table will also be started for senior executives only and will, according to Mr. Gough, teach them to broaden their brand of life including an emphasis on family, personal business education and community.

Mr. Gough expects the TECH-Table will be around for a long time.

"We still feel there's lots of life to the way we do things here," he says. "We can't change the whole community but we can make some differences while having fun and making money."