09.02.09

Los Angeles County Tech Week Announces 2009 Keynote Speaker
Barbara McQuiston, Special Assistant for Energy, DARPA

GLENDALE, CA - Los Angeles County Tech Week 2009 announced today that the keynote speaker is Barbara McQuiston, Special Assistant for Energy, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and previous Los Angeles County entrepreneur. During her tenure at DARPA, Ms. McQuiston has directed over $1 billion in high tech development funding for the federal government. She has more than 25 years of experience in both research and development as well as management of high-technology companies and government programs.

As a Los Angeles entrepreneur, she was President of McQuiston and Associates, a management consulting firm working with technology start-up companies. By supporting many global technology and management institutions, McQuiston was successful in accelerating the growth of QWIP Technologies, Inc., a Jet Propulsion Lab spinout and high growth company. QWIP was also an early tenant of The Los Angeles County Business Technology Center (BTC), one of the largest high technology incubators in the country.

“To have one of our own BTC alumna come back “on campus” as the keynote speaker at our eleventh anniversary celebration and L.A. County Tech Week event, is truly coming full circle for the BTC, and fulfilling our mission of fueling entrepreneurship,” said Stan Tomsic, the Administrator of the BTC.
Mark Lieberman, Community Development Commission of Los Angeles County, and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Los Angeles County Tech Week, praised the selection of Ms. McQuiston. “We are honored and delighted to have Barbara travel all the way from Washington DC to be our keynote speaker this year, and hear her story of entrepreneurial success, and provide insights for entrepreneurs on gaining government funding.”

Tech Week is the premier celebration of and showcase for technology innovation and leadership in LA County. In addition to the keynote speech, this year’s event will feature four lively panel discussions as well as cutting-edge industry exhibits. The luncheon will include an award ceremony and the keynote speaker. At the October 22, 2009 event at the BTC, L.A. County Supervisor, Michael D. Antonovich, 5th District, will present the Technology Leader of the Year Award.

Panel discussions will focus on several industries in Los Angeles County where technology is driving the future: Los Angeles County’s leading edge in the video game industry, energy and environmental resource technologies, how mobile devices are transforming the platform of business communication, and the latest viewpoints on technology funding presented by the Pasadena Angels.

For tickets and more information please CLICK HERE

About Los Angeles Tech Week
Los Angeles County Tech Week is designed to inform those with an interest in technology - businesses that develop technologies, and businesses fueled by technologies, developers, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, teachers and students - about the state of the technology landscape in Los Angeles County. For more information visit: www.LATECHWEEK.com
 

L.A. County Tech Week 2009 Spotlights L.A. County Technology
Announcing Moderators, Topics and Panelists

GLENDALE, CA September 11, 2009 –Los Angeles County Technology Week, the premier celebration of and showcase for technology innovation and leadership in LA County, will present four lively panel discussions: mobile information platforms, video games and entertainment, energy and environment technologies, and current trends in funding new technology companies. Los Angeles County Supervisor, Michael D. Antonovich stated that “the goal of Technology Week is to foster and strengthen the strategic alliances between Los Angeles County and the vital technology sector to create jobs and add economic vitality to the region.”

Ben Kuo, Founder, Editor and Publisher of socalTECH.com said, “Los Angeles has a vibrant mix of both startups and established companies investing in clean technology, and has huge potential to create the new leaders in the industry.” Kuo will moderate the Power Up! Clean Technologies for Energy and the Environment panel, Tech Week’s sequel to last year’s popular “clean tech” program.

Tech Week 2009, will take place in Altadena, CA on October 22, 2009 at the Business Technology Center, a project of the Community Development Commission and focuses on several industries where technology innovation in Los Angeles County is driving innovation for the world. “We are very proud of the Business Technology Center, one of the largest and most respected business incubators in the United States. This incubator is responsible for the creation of over 1,300 technology jobs and has highlighted the significant technological presence of Los Angeles County” stated Sean Rogan, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission.

Other panel discussions include:

• Info2Go! How Mobile Devices are Transforming Business
Mobile devices like the iPhone, Google G1, Blackberry and Palm Pré, along with 3rd party applications, are changing the way we do business. Tech Week explores this rapidly growing sector from three perspectives: makers, users and developers. Moderated by Brian X. Chen, Technology Reporter, WIRED Magazine.

• Game On! LA’s Leading Edge in the Video Game Industry
It will explore the nexus between the video game industry and L.A.’s motion picture industry. This panel discussion will take a look at L.A. County’s video game industry from the perspective of five leading game studios including Entertainment Arts (EA), Insomniac, Infinity Ward (Activision), thatgamecompany and DreamWorks. Moderated by Chris Baker, Senior Editor, WIRED Magazine.

• Cash4Tech! Angel & Venture Capital: What’s Hot, What’s Not and Who’s Getting Funded
This panel discussion will feature the latest viewpoints on technology funding presented by the Pasadena Angels, an essential guide to technology funding by the people who know. Moderated by Joe Platnick, Director, Pasadena Angels and General Partner, iGlobe Treasury Management Ltd .

For ticket information please CLICK HERE

About Los Angeles Tech Week
Los Angeles County Tech Week is designed to inform those with an interest in technology - businesses that develop technologies, and businesses fueled by technologies, developers, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, teachers and students - about the state of the technology landscape in Los Angeles County. For more information visit: www.LATECHWEEK.com