Survey results helped us decide to make a move.
TechMaine has had a great run in Westbrook, bringing a new level of value to technology in the region. For the last few years, we’ve discussed how we can take your Association to the next level, exploring ideas such as a new Technology Center, and more synergistic, efficiency gaining efforts (see below). Our recent survey was a final push that we need to do something. While our survey covered a number of topics, the results clearly showed a consensus opinion that TechMaine should be closer to the Portland technology community. This would allow for easier access for many of our members, and create more synergy with other networking activities already going on. And it gives us the chance to realize our longer term Technology Center vision. The economy, as hard as it has been, actually offers us opportunities as well, with good real estate options that might disappear once the market improves.
We’re going virtual during our transition.
Of course, the chances of closing one facility and opening the next on the same day would have been a miracle. Our lease in Westbrook ends August 31st, and we have some strong candidates for a new place, but there will be a few “swing” months even if this goes fairly quickly. Due to kind offers of shared conference space, our User Group meetings will continue “on the road” for a short period of time; expect a calendar with details for September soon.
A Technology Center.
Besides the networking potential of being on the “peninsula”, a move would help us realize another long standing mission of TechMaine – the opportunity to create a technology hub of businesses that could leverage across shared space, shared business management needs, and even cooperative development. A survey earlier this year showed a number of businesses interested in joining us. Our Westbrook site would not have allowed us this, which is another reason we decided now is a good time to take the next step. Our plans are to create a dynamic hub for Maine's technology sectors. The Technology Center will be the physical statement of the technology community that TechMaine is helping to foster. The Technology Center will include: a conference center, meeting space and video conferencing, space for Companies-in-Residence, and co-working space for TechMaine Members without a local office or needing an offsite location. The Technology Center will be the place to come together to work, connect, and collaborate.
We’ll keep you posted!
If you have information to share that can help us with these efforts, please contact me. Please read my companion message, with more discussion on the Technology Center, the state of technology in Maine, and how we can work together to have our region recognized as a leading technology community.
Update:
We've had a number of questions asking about TechMaine's future support and activities outside of southern Maine. Our move will actually make it easier to connect with the rest of the state, and enable resources for folks from outside of Portland to tap into when they are in the area.
We were video broadcasting our User Group sessions to/from the Target Technology Center in Orono while we were at our previous facility. One of the problems in our Westbrook conference room was that while it was cool to have a wide open space the acoustics were awful for transmissions. So…two of the prime considerations for the new offices are that there be ample bandwidth and a better room for conducting video meetings.
Rest assured, our plans are to implement video conferencing, and originate sessions from outside of Portland.
The State of Technology in Maine and how TechMaine can Energize it.