March 8, 2007
BizTech 2007: Good info, with an island flair
Each year, BizTech presents seriously helpful information wrapped in a decidedly light-hearted theme, and this year’s event, subtitled “Discover the Possibilities!” continues that tradition.
BizTech is an annual business and technology fair that showcases notable and new business initiatives, technologies, products and services available to the UW campus community. Now in its fourth year, BizTech will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 14, in the HUB Ballroom, and will be kicked off with a keynote welcome by UW Provost Phyllis Wise.
“This year we’re really excited to have Provost Wise give our keynote address,” said Clarice Nakata Hall, BizTech coordinator. She said that though BizTech began with its focus largely on technology, it has expanded its scope over the years to include more to interest all faculty and staff. “We’re really hoping that more faculty and researchers will participate.” Hall said, adding, “Everybody can find something they like at BizTech.”
Attendance at the event has increased each year, Hall said. “The first year we had about 1,300 and we had about 1,800 last year. We’re slowly but surely growing, and we have more exhibitors this year.”
These include Human Resources, Publications Services, the University Bookstore, the Strategic Initiatives Office — which oversees programs such as travel and MyFinancialDesktop — as well as the Transportation Office, offering U-Pass and parking services, Property & Transport Services, Flex Car, Records Management, University Stores, and many others. The Catalyst program, offering state-of-the-art Web teaching tools and resources, also will be on hand with information.
Hall said Emergency Management, which has in the past focused on general emergency readiness, this year will concentrate more specifically on survival in times of emergency. The recent spate of storms and crippling winter weather, she said, has placed added emphasis on such issues.
“A huge number of departments get involved in this every year,” said Harry Hayward, director of electronic media and special programs for the Media Relations and Communications Office, who will be taking signups for the annual Faculty Field Tour during BizTech. Hayward said the collaborative nature of BizTech, with departments sharing their knowledge, “plays beautifully into our mission, vision and values that Provost Wise has articulated so well by saying that discovery is at the heart of everything we do.
“What we’re doing with BizTech,” he said, summing up, “is discovering the wonderful resources we have here,” for faculty as well as others. “Catalyst and the Field Tour may be of interest to faculty,” he said, “but there are a lot of other opportunities for them to learn more about services available in the classroom, or in their research, or in their service to the community.”
And while last year’s BizTech was filled with cowboy hats, chaps and other Western-themed accessories, just for fun, Hall said this year the Caribbean and explorers will be the main theme.
That is, she said, there may be pirates, and various costumed islanders, including some types — one in particular named Gilligan — who famously ended up on an island years ago after taking “a three-hour tour” — and no, it wasn’t the Faculty Field Tour.
For more information on BizTech, visit online at http://www.washington.edu/admin/biztech/. Advance registration is requested.
