Spring 2001

Volume 3 Number 2
A publication of Macon State College

Getting Wired

'TAG Central' Helping Midstate Tech Organizations Network With Each Other & Promote Economic Development

By Sheron Smith

For Central Georgia businesses that have anything to do with technology - and these days, virtually all are touched by it in some way - networking will never be the same.

Maj. Gen. Dennis G. Haines, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, talks with MSC President David A. Bell at a recent meeting of the Central Georgia Technology Alliance.

The new Central Georgia Technology Alliance is promoting technology related economic development in the region by giving businesses opportunities to mix and mingle their way to strategic connections. One of eight societies of the Atlanta-based Technology Association of Georgia, "TAG Central" is closely aligned with Macon State College through President David A. Bell, who chairs the charter board of directors.

"With all of the tech-related growth flowing out of Atlanta, I think that from an economic point of view Central Georgia is going to hit a home run with the bases loaded," Bell said. "A Central Georgia chapter of TAG complements the important work that has been taking place here in economic development. It strengthens Central Georgia's already strategic position for attracting technology related businesses."

TAG, one of the fastest growing organizations of its kind in the nation, is a 2-year-old umbrella organization representing Georgia's technology community. Its purpose is to promote and grow the state's technology industry through networking, investment, strategic partnerships and professional development opportunities. TAG's 5000+ members represent more than 1,000 companies and every corner of the industry - the technology sector, the end users, the service providers, the entrepreneurs, the venture capitalists and the development community.

Initially, TAG brought together several separate groups, including the Atlanta Business and Technology Alliance, the Southeast Software Association and Women in Technology. There are now eight TAG societies, including the Central Georgia Technology Alliance. In addition, 10 special interest groups within TAG focus on specific areas ranging from finance and human resources to software development.

"Macon State College is an integral part of the rapidly growing technology industry in the midstate, and the Technology Association of Georgia is excited to be part of that growth," said Chuck Johnson, Atlanta venture capitalist and TAG chairman for 2001. "We look forward to working with the Central Georgia Technology Alliance to provide quality business development, education and networking opportunities across the region and the state."

How to Join TAG TAG currently has eight Societies and eleven Special Interest Groups that operate under the TAG 'umbrella.' As a member of TAG, you may participate in any or all of these groups. Details on each Society, Special Interest Group and all TAG upcoming events can be found at www.tagonline.org. TAG memberships for individuals through the Central Georgia Technology Alliance are $75 per year. There are also several levels of corporate membership that represent group discounts over individual membership. To learn more, contact Kelly H. McMullen, TAG's membership coordinator, at kmcmullen@tagonline.org or at (404) 817-3333.

TAG Central's first open meeting, held in late February at the Macon State College Student Life Center, drew more than 100 people representing a variety of regional businesses. Several speakers, including Johnson and TAG President David Simmons, reviewed the association's purpose and the state's technology business climate.

The Central Georgia group's second meeting, held in late March at the Museum of Aviation in Warner Robins, explored the theme, "Technology in the Midstate: A Look at the Participants." Keynote speaker was Maj. Gen. Dennis G. Haines, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base. Haines discussed critical changes in national defense that the information age is driving.

The Technology Association of Georgia has played a key role in some major technology business ventures. TAG was instrumental in introducing Zapmedia.com, an Atlanta-based producer of entertainment hardware and software, to the Gannett Co., the largest newspaper company in the U.S. Gannett invested $270 million in Zapmedia to form an alliance that allows consumers access to music, videos, movies, the Internet and e-mail through existing TVs and home stereos.

Bell is optimistic that regional businesses will similarly profit through TAG-facilitated networking

"TAG offers a great opportunity to raise Central Georgia's visibility in the technology arena," he said, "while its members build new alliances to support individual enterprises."