By Chad Mullen, Director of Strategic Initiatives
Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST)
Oklahoma City (August, 13 2015) — The Oklahoma Technology Showcase, the state’s “show-and-tell” event of world-class technology, returns Aug. 26 to the Broken Arrow campus of Northeastern State University.
Open to the public, the Showcase will feature presentations by six innovative Oklahoma entrepreneurs and student interns, plus a keynote speech by Jim Brice, a site operations manager for Google at its Pryor, OK, datacenter.
Organizing sponsors are NSU, the Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring this Showcase of Oklahoma’s emerging technology innovators back to our Broken Arrow campus,” said Steven Turner, President of Northeastern State University. “Amazing innovations have been developed and are flourishing right here in our state. We’re happy to help them share their stories.”
Before President Turner welcomes the audience for the official kickoff of the Showcase at 9 a.m., early birds will learn about another weekly Oklahoma entrepreneurial program called 1 Million Cups during a breakfast hour beginning at 8 a.m.
Also welcoming the Showcase audience will be the Honorable Craig Thurman, mayor of Broken Arrow, and Dan Luton, director of programs for OCAST.
In addition to the presenting entrepreneurs from tech-based companies in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Bartlesville, Muskogee and Pawnee, three students who have participated in OCAST’s Intern Partnership program will make special presentations.
After the conclusion of the entrepreneurial presentations, Google’s Brice will serve as keynote speaker during the noon luncheon. With 30 years of hands-on experience in the technology business, Brice serves as a site operations manager at the Oklahoma location for the company whose name has become synonymous with internet search and productivity applications.
“The Technology Showcase offers more than just a snapshot of globally competitive Oklahoma innovation,” said Michael Carolina, OCAST’s executive director. “It also provides inspiration for others to follow these innovators down the path of entrepreneurship and develop new technology-based products and services that create jobs and build wealth for the state.”
The Technology Showcase will conclude with a robotics showcase and demonstration beginning at 1:30 p.m.
Companies making entrepreneurial presentations will be: Compression Solutions, Tulsa; Live Pet, LLC (formerly Sarvam Solutions), Bartlesville; Wegolook, Oklahoma City; Monscierge, Oklahoma City; Advantage Controls, Muskogee; and TechTrol, Pawnee.
Early bird registration for the Showcase is $35 and $20 for students. Registration includes breakfast, lunch and a dessert reception. For more information or to register, visit www.nsuok.edu/okts2015.
In addition to the organizing sponsors, other event sponsors are the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber; i2E, Inc.; The Forge; Covanta; MidAmerica Industrial Park; 36o North; the Claremore Industrial & Economic Development Authority; Access Optics; Pelco Structural, LLC.; Bartlesville Development Authority; Port of Muskogee; Tulsa Technology Center and the Tulsa Regional Chamber.
The Showcase will be preceded on Aug. 25 by a networking reception from 5-7 p.m. hosted by The Forge and 36O North at the Rooftop at 214 S. Main Street in Broken Arrow.
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ABOUT OCAST:
The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology is a state agency charged with leading Oklahoma’s technology-based economic development efforts, supporting the efforts of start-ups and entrepreneurs to transform promising innovations from concepts into commercial products. OCAST also is an active supporter of STEM education across Oklahoma’s common education system and provides funding to support internships between local industries and two- and four-year colleges and universities. www.ocast.ok.gov
