Tech trends tracked at Techie Tuesday

By Sally Mesarosh
Special for The Republic
Sept. 14, 2002 12:00:00

For anyone interested in the latest trends in technology, it might be wise
to keep an eye on the Owl's Nest Saloon in downtown Tempe the second
Tuesday of every month.

Perched above busy Mill Avenue, a mix of people gather together to
participate in Techie Tuesday. This event is a social hour that gives
engineers, entrepreneurs, salespeople, investors and job seekers a chance
to network and exchange ideas in the rapidly changing field of technology.

Kris Baxter, coordinator of economic development for Tempe, said the
high-tech industry tends to be a field where people work alone, isolated
from what others in the industry are doing.

"The exchange of ideas at Techie Tuesdays is by far the most important part
of the evening," Baxter said. "Often I've seen two people talking in the
corner of the room, and I can almost see when the juices start flowing.
Suddenly, they will start waving their arms and motioning for others to
come listen."

Baxter said Techie Tuesdays is a way for the city to show the tech industry
that Tempe is interested in supporting and attracting high-tech companies.

The event began three years ago with the combined sponsorship of the
Arizona Internet Professionals Association (AZIPA) and the Arizona Software
and Internet Association (AZSOFT.net). These organizations formed the Tech
Oasis Partnership with a mission to "create an ideal business environment
for entrepreneurs."

Ed Nusbaum, co-founder of AZIPA, said the idea is not limited to Tempe.

"Techie Tuesdays are held in four regions of the state to help build a more
critical mass," Nusbaum said. "Each region has a different expertise,
whether it's the Scottsdale Airpark, or Phoenix, with a strong
telecommunications base, or Tucson, with its cluster of small-tech
companies."

Attendance at Techie Tuesdays varies, sometimes attracting hundreds of
participants. Nusbaum said that even in a slow economy, there's "always the
need to have an opportunity to access great people and great companies."

Mariane Maffeo-Muriel of Gilbert said Techie Tuesdays gives her the chance
to see what the tech economy looks like in the short term.

"I always meet a new person or potential client at these events," said
Maffeo-Muriel, who is president of Maffeo Media. "It makes it worth my
time."

The gathering also serves as an important networking opportunity for
Arizona State University.

Herb Finkelstein, research liaison officer at ASU, said the link between
ASU and local companies is invaluable. Finkelstein acts as a matchmaker by
connecting ASU's research projects to local companies.

Federal grant money often is available to fund the projects, so these
partnerships stimulate the local economy.

"ASU has research projects dealing with everything from high speed
microprocessors to substitute blood," Finkelstein said. "Techie Tuesdays
gives the university and local companies a chance to be part of a team."

Steve Baltz of Ahwatukee Foothills sees the event from a different angle.
Baltz is general manager of the Owl's Nest Saloon.

"It's a great group of people," Baltz said. "They can hang out here and
realize they are not alone. These dot-commers really stick together."

The next Techie Tuesday will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8.

For information, visit www.techoasis.org or contact Jan Schaefer at (480)
350-8233.