TECHBash back bigger than ever at LCCC on Saturday

Feel like the fast-moving information technology world is pulling away from you? If so, you can do some catching up on Saturday when TECHBash takes over the Educational Conference Center at Luzerne County Community College.

Version 3 of the annual technology gathering is bigger and better than last year’s event that drew about 120 attendees, said Jason Gaylord, president of event sponsor .NET Valley User Group.

“This year we’ve actually doubled the event,” he said, going from six presentations to 12 and from two tracks to three; IT Professional, Developer and Emerging Technology.

Gaylord counted about 130 registrations Monday morning. “We’re hoping for 200,” he said.

Michael Murphy, business development manager for Microsoft’s Mid-Atlantic region, said TECHBash is recognized beyond Northeastern Pennsylvania, drawing attendees from New Jersey, Philadelphia and upstate New York.

That’s a far cry from the first event, which drew about 30. “We considered that a great success our first year,” he said. The world’s largest software firm has been a premier sponsor all three years.

This year’s speaker lineup includes industry heavyweights from the likes of Microsoft, Nortel and Cisco, as well as local experts. “We’re trying to grab some more local technology companies,” Gaylord said.

The outreach has attracted speakers John Fallon of Solid Cactus and Raymond Steigerwalt, co-founder of Meezik. Internet retailer Babyage.com is one of the event co-sponsors. There’s enough sponsor funding to keep TECHBash free, including meals.

Murphy expects an insightful discussion from keynote speaker Joe Stagner, program manager on the Microsoft Web Tools and Platform team. His division is shaping the next generation of the Internet, which will affect commerce and communication for years to come.

Gaylord said TECHBash follows an accepted protocol with its Saturday scheduling. “Many similar events in other communities are held on Saturdays,” he said, which allows people to attend whose employers may not want them to take a day off.

Saturday also is more convenient for students, particularly at this time of year with finals looming. “We don’t want to miss out on that crowd,” he said.

TECHBash is geared toward IT professionals, developers and those involved in strategic technology decision making. While no one will be turned away, Gaylord said registration is helpful for arranging food and seating. For more information, visit www.techbash.com

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Who should go: IT professionals, developers and those involved in strategic technology decision making

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