Technology Council Boasts New Members, Stable Funding
By Allison Connolly, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
Nov. 14–A year ago, the Hampton Roads Technology Council was shedding members and running out of money.
Today the council, which promotes technology development in the region, is a bolder version of its former self.
Membership has rebounded to 120 members. Its budget, which comes from member dues and sponsorships, has stabilized at about a half a million dollars a year. The Hampton Roads Technology Incubator in Hampton, which the council oversees and helps to finance , boasts 15 promising companies. And the council may soon be able to afford a full-time executive director again.
Though the council doesn’t enjoy the $1.6 million budget it had three years ago, members are making do with less. Last week, more than a hundred people attended the council’s first -ever Fall Ball, which had a Mardi Gras theme and raised money for the New Orleans chapter of the Louisiana Technology Council.
Board member Joel Nied, a partner with the law firm Troutman Sanders LLP in Virginia Beach, credits the turnaround to renewed interest from technology companies and to the time contributed by volunteers, especially Richard Lally, the council’s president.
“The tide has turned, and momentum is building,” Nied said. “It’s palpable.”
The volunteers banged on doors and got people excited about networking with other technology companies in the area. With more members and dues, the council was able to hold more events.
Lally, who is chief executive of Oceana Sensor Technologies Inc. in Virginia Beach, said morale among members is back up along with the numbers.
“The council’s reputation has grown by leaps and bounds,” Lally said.
Two years ago, it was crumbling after the state stopped funding part of the council’s budget, which forced it to cut back on events and other benefits. The council let go of its executive director to save money.
But the volunteers stepped in, rallying membership, promoting new events and improving benefits.
The benefits are more attractive, Lally said. Members get a discount at Inlet Fitness as well as at Don Richards Associates temporary staffing agency. And networking is better because membership has increased, he said.
Board member David Edwards likes how the council is tailoring events and networking opportunities for similar types of companies.
“Trying to be everything to everybody is not the right thing to do when you’re not well-funded,” said Edwards, senior vice president and director of engineering services at WR Systems Ltd. in Norfolk.
There’s still more to be done, Lally said, including lobbying the state for member causes. Members oppose a state law that taxes companies that buy or assemble products for the government. For example, a company that buys computers for Joint Forces Command would be taxed on the purchase, even though it’s for a government customer, Lally said.
“It puts Virginia companies at a disadvantage in getting service contracts,” he said.
Also, council members would like Virginia to offer tech companies tax credits for locating here. Lally wants the state to establish an office park for tech companies, like the successful biotechnology-themed Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.
As for members, the board hopes to recruit more to the fold, particularly from the growing modeling and simulation industry in Hampton Roads.
The council has beefed up its Web site, with surveys asking people what events and benefits they want the council to offer. Most of the board members’ e-mail addresses and phone numbers are listed on the site to accept feedback.
“We can’t help the tech community without feedback,” Edwards said.
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