TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Those who were looking in vain for the Hawaii Technology Trade Association "Plugged In" mixer Thursday may cancel their therapist appointments -- because the party moved and they weren't told. We’re here, but
where’s the party?HTTA and the E-List are joining forces for a merged-mixer schedule, with the first one from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at Kapono's at the Aloha Tower Marketplace.
Organizers of the monthly HTTA and E-List gatherings decided to pool resources and eliminate duplication of effort for the seemingly duplicated events.
"We did have a little bit of overlap in attendees," said E-List Core Committee member Stacey Hayashi.
"I guess we were just trying to see if we can work together to lessen the planning of events," she said. "E-List is a bunch of volunteers with full-time jobs." Hers is software engineering at 4charity.com.
The groups' purposes are different. "E-List kind of started in April of last year where a bunch of e-commerce techies met at Ryan's for drinks and then it kind of really mushroomed," Hayashi said. By August there were 35 members, by November, 80. Then all of a sudden there were 300 members and then 500 members, she said.
"HTTA's mission," said Executive Director Ann Chung, "is to support the growth of the tech industry in Hawaii, and to create the most healthy environment that we possibly can for the industry to flourish." Chung said the HTTA is involved with the Legislature, while Hayashi said the E-List is decidedly more casual.
However, Chung said, "I think everybody agrees collaboration is key. Everybody should be working together, not duplicating limited resources." They also agree the mixers are an important vehicle where industry players can meet, share information and find ways to partner.
Of interest to more than the mixer crowd, is the HTTA's hunt for input from the private sector.
There will be 10 meetings, one on each major neighbor island as well as on Oahu on topics such as biotechnology, information technology, health and medicine and others.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com