Our Value Proposition:

• Networking with Peers, Prospects and Partners

CTC events bring together members of the technology community in both small gatherings (PowerMatch) and large well attended events (Women of Innovation Awards Dinner) that in addition to topical programming provide business opportunities to regular attendees. CTC events present members an opportunity to often times meet their peers and occasionally connect with a prospect or potential partner. CTC hosts the largest techs events in the state and provides superlative networking opportunities.

• Public Policy Advocacy

While perhaps an indirect benefit, CTC provides leadership in areas of policy advocacy. Speaking for over 2,500 companies that employ some 200,000 residents, the Council seeks to provide a strong and urgent voice in support of the creation of a culture of innovation. This includes working to position Connecticut as a leader in idea creation, workforce preparation, entrepreneurial aptitude, early stage risk capital availability and providing on-going support and mentoring to high potential firms. Members are sometimes enlisted to testify in support of the Council’s legislative initiatives.

• Information and Referral

This sometimes overlooked service or benefit is often times the most valuable one CTC offers its members. Its staff has the most extensive networks of connections and a depth of knowledge surrounding technology support services, and whether it is for referrals, introductions or recommendations, CTC is an informed resource. Active members avail themselves of both events and these deep wells of information to secure clients or to solve business problems. CTC staff work hard and deliberatively to support members in solving their problems and answering their questions.

• CTC’s Events Calendar, Newsletter and Alerts

CTC sends out weekly emails regarding its events to keep members up-to-date on its events. Its monthly newsletters keep members abreast of the Council’s public policy initiatives particularly when the legislature is in session. That same newsletter aggregates technology events from all the state’s business associations while allowing members to add their own events.

• Peer to Peer Roundtables for CEOs

In October 2009, the Connecticut Technology Council launched its CEO Peer Track. The Peer Track meets the fourth Thursday of the month, except in August and December. Its participants are the Presidents or CEOs of tech companies whose revenue is at least $3M per year. The CEOs can come from any technology vertical. The meetings run from 8:00 to 10:30 in the morning and are currently held at The Farms County Club in Wallingford. The meetings are intended to help the CEOs solve some of their more vexing business issues using the collective experience and knowledge of the participating CEOs. Subject matter experts are occasionally invited to present on a topic of interest to the group. A second group of CEOs for start-ups and emerging technology companies also meets monthly on the third Thursday of each month.

• Image, Branding, and Culture: Get the word out about who you are!

Whether you are a small company as most CTC members are, or a large multinational as some CTC members are, formally joining the Connecticut technology delivers the message that you support CTC’s mission, but also recognizes that opportunity comes through being connected, being informed and are smart about creating networking opportunities. This in particular applies to young and emerging technology companies. For large companies, the reason for joining is different.  More and more, large corporations are thinking globally for manufacturing, new markets, acquisitions, strategic alliances, etc. But just as Connecticut as a state must aggressively position and market itself an innovation leader, so too must large companies continually reinforce locally and regionally that they are an attractive employer, a leader in their space and a contributor to their community. This self-marketing and promotion takes many channels, but one channel can be through an association with the Connecticut Technology Council. Positioning your company as interested in local economic growth through membership and sponsoring CTC programs reinforces with current employees and prospective employees a commitment to them, the community and the state. Associating the company with programs that receive media attention again builds brand and awareness. The Connecticut Technology Council will partner with large companies who are seeking to increase their local visibility.  Smaller companies can count on the Council for building brand awareness, for the opportunity to network along many channels and for support ranging from introductions to potential customers/clients to help in finding key staff.

• Innovation@Work - Participate in a program where CTC facilitates business opportunities.

This award-winning program is tailor-made for Connecticut’s large and medium-sized companies seeking to improve its supply chain connections locally and regionally. The Council has now hosted Innovation@Work programs at General Electric, Gerber Scientific, Pitney Bowes, AT&T The Hartford and Mohegan Sun. These are among the state’s largest technology companies. Even while some of these companies have dedicated new business venture units, participating companies sharpened their thinking on innovation, realized introductions and generated new business opportunity for themselves and for smaller companies. This is a proven program that can be tailored to the needs of the host company and serve its interests in finding new technology, new partners or local/regional suppliers. More than any other CTC program, Innovation@Work serves the CTC large to medium-size company constituency while providing opportunity to smaller companies eager for the chance to showcase their technology know-how and secure business opportunity.

• PowerMatch

C-level networking that connects innovators statewide. This is one of CTC's most popular programs as it efficiently introduces members to each other and to business opportunities in a speed-dating format. PowerMatch is held monthly except during the summer and moves its meetings around the state to accommodate members and guest attendees. It is one of CTC’s most popular events.

• Marcum Tech Top 40

CTC partners yearly with regional and international accounting firm Marcum LLP to recognize   the fastest growing technology companies in the state. This awards program, now in its fourth year, recognizes companies for revenue growth over a four year period in six technology verticals and includes both public and private companies. The application process is open to Connecticut-based technology companies and begins in the spring of each year and concludes each fall with an awards program. This well attended event is one of the Fall’s best attended and most anticipated events. Eligible companies should apply to reap the benefits of the unique designation of a Tech Top 40 winning company.

• CIO Forum

In what has become an annual event, CTC member company employees who are senior IT professionals may attend CTC’s CIO forum each November. The event’s educational presentations and panel discussions have covered such topical areas such as cloud computing, business intelligence and social networking.

• Women of Innovation Awards Dinner

Held every March, this is CTC's largest event and draws over 500 attendees. Now entering its eighth year, this awards program gathers the Connecticut technology community to recognize women in the workforce who are innovators, role models and leaders in the technology, science and engineering fields.  Students at both the high school and college level are also honored for their studies and accomplishments. This is the event to attend as a member for inspiration, connections and a most enjoyable evening.

• CT Growth Network

Monthly gatherings of technology entrepreneurs investors and service providers. Attend a local meeting. These events are smaller intimate gatherings for those who seek to network with other technology peers while learning about new companies and technology. Meetings are in held in Hartford, Stamford, and Tolland.

•  Insurance, Employee Benefits and Special Discounts

The Connecticut Technology Council (CTC) offers members an Insurance and Benefits Program to help members obtain the targeted business insurance, health care and employee benefits solutions they need to stabilize escalating costs, attract and retain key staff and meet statutory requirements. Program partners include: HCG Services, Wellstone Insurance, and Pension Partners. CTC has also partnered with a few service providers/members, such as UPS, to offer members discounts on the services they provide. CTC members also receive preferential pricing to attend CTC events.