[Hidden-tech] Folks needed to participate/drive 2 programs

[A - Z International]

Hi all,

I'm still interested in having more folks do 
SHORT presentations for the Oct. 3 New Media 
focus group described below. If you just want to 
come an identify yourself, but be listed in promo 
and media outreach, that's fine. You can find me 
directly at az at a-zinternational.com.

Secondly, we don't have the November topic 
nailed. Only folks already running programs, or 
without specific knowledge of receivables, 
replied. Is there anyone out there who can put 
together experts for a program on receivables -- 
known more crudely as dunning (or getting paid)? If so, reach me directly.

OR, if you have another idea you want to drive 
and develop, please reach me about that.

best,

Amy Zuckerman
Hidden-Tech Founder, Clerk

REGIONAL OFFICIALS, ENTREPRENEURS AND ACADEMICS 
TO STUDY CONNECTING THE REGION TO THE GROWING DIGITAL MARKETPLACE

Regional economic leaders, government officials 
and new media entrepreneurs will be meeting from 
5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3 in the basement 
room at The Jones Library, Amity Street, Amherst, 
to discuss the growing digital marketplace and 
how the Pioneer Valley can connect to it.

The digital marketplace – also called new media – 
represents the transmission of digital content to 
a variety of platforms from video games to cell 
phones, laptops to movie theaters and the 
classroom. The new media represents one of the 
fastest-growing and most lucrative global markets.

The great news is that the region has some of the 
top film and new media academic departments in 
the world, along with some of the top content 
producers and new media techies. (See 
www.hidden-tech.net under "past events" and 
Valley Goes Hollywood for examples) Plus mill 
building owners in Holyoke and Easthampton are 
creating fabulous space for these companies.

Even better, the new media represents clean 
industry that's conducted on PCs, servers, sound 
studios, and is often taking place in homes and 
small offices sprinkled throughout the region. 
There may be a new media entrepreneur next door, but you'd never know it.

But all this potential isn't being fostered 
because the academics and entrepreneurs rarely 
connect and cross-fertilize. The fact that the 
region is a hot- bed of new media activity is not 
known to many outside of this niche. Cities and 
towns in this region are drowning in high 
property taxes, yet this burgeoning cluster – 
which could be acceptable to many with 
environmental concerns – isn't being nurtured.

The aim of the Oct. 3 meeting is to learn more 
about this sector and determine how best to grow 
it. The public is invited to attend.

Amy Zuckerman, Hidden-Tech founder and a member 
of the Regional Technology Corporation board, 
will facilitate. State Rep. Ellen Storey will be 
in attendance along with Amherst Selectboard 
member Hwei-Ling Greeney. Also attending are 
representatives from the Small Business 
Development Center, The Pioneer Valley Regional 
Planning Commission, the UMass Family Business 
Center, Amherst Chamber of Commerce, Franklin 
County Chamber of Commerce, University of 
Massachusetts, Hampshire College, local developers and others.

The following new media entrepreneurs are offering short presentations:

Raf Anzovin – Anzovin Studio – Amherst animator

Nancy Fletcher -   Act Now! -- Belchertown PR, videographer

Tom Adams – Reelife Documentary Productions -- Montague

Paul Hake – Paul Hake Productions -- Advanced Media Development, Greenfield

Joe Minton – Northampton video game agent

For more information reach Amy Zuckerman at azintl at crocker.com or call 253-4124.