Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/09/2011 -- TechAmerica Georgia and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) today unveiled the finalists in the "Cool Technology" category for the ninth annual Spirit of Endeavor Awards. This category recognizes the Georgia company that has developed and/or introduced the most innovative new hardware, software or a technology-service in the state in the past 18 months and can demonstrate the success of that product over the past 12 months. The finalist companies include OpenStudy, Cardlytics, TripLingo, ViziTech USA and SoloHealth.

The winner of the "Cool Technology" award will be determined by onsite text voting at the Spirit of Endeavor Awards ceremony running from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on December 9, 2011, at TWELVE Atlantic Station in Atlanta. The Spirit of Endeavor Awards recognize and celebrate innovative technology companies and individuals in Georgia that drive new ideas, invigorate the community and lead people through technology.

"Each of our finalists in the 'Cool Technology' category represent some of the most innovative thinking in Georgia and we are proud to recognize them for their hard work to improve the way we live and do business through technology," said Tino Mantella, president and CEO for the Technology Association of Georgia and TechAmerica Georgia. "Georgia has become a hotbed for new and established technology companies and the Spirit of Endeavor Awards are our way of recognizing the companies here who are making a difference, not only in our state, but on a national and global level as well."

The "Cool Technology" finalists were nominated for the following reasons:

OpenStudy is dubbed by TechCrunch as a "platform for Massively Multiplayer Study Groups." It connects students studying the same subjects into online study sessions where they can help each other understand lessons, prepare for tests and stay motivated. Currently 75,000 students from 190 different countries and 1,500 different schools are registered.

Cardlytics Transaction-Driven Marketing platform is a unique advertising platform that enables banks to deliver rich, relevant rewards to their customers based on purchasing history while fully protecting their privacy. The platform is able to reach customers through online banking, mobile banking and mobile apps, social media, email, SMS and ATMs. The company recently secured $33 million in funding and is on track to reach 75 million U.S. households by Q2 2012.

TripLingo creates a customized experience to help leisure and business travelers navigate the local lingo and culture. With apps available via the web, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone and Nook, TripLingo offers language tools in over 13 different languages and packages local customs, idioms and an intelligent learning system to make it easy for travelers to learn essential bits of the local language and culture both prior to and during trips.

ViziTech USA holds proprietary intellectual property allowing the company to develop 3D imaging as HoloProjection images similar to the famed HOLODEK from the movie "Star Trek." The images are not confined to a video or screen, but rather move right out into the classroom, engage students and allow them to interact with machines or objects. Students can get a real feel of how something acts or operates by using their hands to control the interactive image. The company currently assists teachers and trainers in schools throughout Georgia, the Department of Defense and several Fortune 500 companies.

SoloHealth offers the SoloHealth Station, a free and bilingual health screening kiosk that provides vision, blood pressure, weight, and body mass index screenings, as well as an overall health assessment and access to a database of local doctors. SoloHealth Station is a more comprehensive version of the company's Eyesite vision testing kiosk for which the company received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance it into a more comprehensive self-service health and wellness station The company plans to provide highly personalized and interactive healthcare opportunities for consumers, advertisers and retailers by placing these kiosks in high-traffic retail locations. SoloHealth is targeting a nationwide rollout out of the SoloHealth Station in 2012.

The 2011 Spirit of Endeavor Awards are sponsored by Platinum sponsor Concurrent, Gold sponsor ASAP Solutions Group, and Silver sponsor Burnette Insurance, CresaPartners and Intel. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the TAG Education Collaborative.

To register for the event, please visit: http://tiny.cc/SpiritofEndeavor or contact Kate Kelsey at 404.920.2012 or Kate@tagonline.org . To see a complete list of nominations, please visit: http://www.tagonline.org/Spirit-of-Endeavor.php.

About TechAmerica Georgia
TechAmerica is the largest and strongest voice and resource for technology in the United States and is the industry's leading trade association. TechAmerica Georgia, formerly TechAmerica Southeast, was created in late 2009 under a unique partnership between TechAmerica and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), which provides operational management for the organization. TAG is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 14,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. For more information visit the about TechAmerica Georgia and TAG, visit http://www.tagonline.org .

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 14,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/28/2011 -- TechAmerica Georgia has extended the deadline for nominations for the Spirit of Endeavor Awards to October 28th, 2011. The ninth annual awards, hosted by the Technology Association of Georgia and TechAmerica Georgia, recognize and celebrate innovative technology companies and individuals in Georgia that drive new ideas, invigorate the community and lead people through technology. To submit nominations for the Spirit of Endeavor Awards, complete the online nomination form located at http://www.tagonline.org/SOE-Nomination-form.php .

Award categories include:

Outstanding Leadership -- presented to an individual who has demonstrated superior leadership in the technology community and serves as a "model" to inspire others to invent.

Technology Entrepreneur – presented to an individual who has brought technology to the market and demonstrates entrepreneurial achievements to the technology industry.

Emerging Business – presented to a young company that is recognized for its success in the marketplace and has significant revenue growth and/or success in the technology industry.

Technology Innovation – presented to an individual that demonstrates leadership in innovation, inventing or repurposing technology and for the development of breakthrough technology.

Cool Technology – presented to a company that has developed and/or introduced a new product (hardware, software or technology service product) within the last 18 months. Cool Technology will be determined by onsite text voting and presented to a company that has provided a "cutting edge, hip new idea" in the technology industry.

Workforce Readiness – this new award will be presented to the 2011 TAG-Ed Student Internship Program mentor company that provided the best opportunity to prepare the company's student intern for a career in technology. The company will receive a Frabel award and the student will receive a scholarship.

Winners of the 2011 Spirit of Endeavor Awards will be announced during a breakfast ceremony from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on December 9, 2011, at Twelve Hotel, Atlantic Station in Atlanta. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the TAG Education Collaborative.

The 2011 Spirit of Endeavor Awards are sponsored by Platinum sponsor Concurrent, Gold sponsor ASAP Solutions Group, and Silver sponsor Burnette Insurance, CresaPartners and Intel. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and can be purchased by going to http://www.123signup.com/event?id=vmmqy .

For additional information on sponsorship opportunities, nomination information, award criteria as well as event registration, please visit: http://www.tagonline.org/Spirit-of-Endeavor.php or contact Kate Kelsey at 404.920.2012 or Kate@tagonline.org .

About TechAmerica Georgia
TechAmerica is the largest and strongest voice and resource for technology in the United States and is the industry's leading trade association. TechAmerica Georgia, formerly TechAmerica Southeast, was created in late 2009 under a unique partnership between TechAmerica and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), which provides operational management for the organization. TAG is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 14,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. For more information visit the about TechAmerica Georgia and TAG, visit http://www.tagonline.org .

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Companies were selected for demonstrating exemplary use of technology to enhance their businesses

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) --10/10/2011 -- The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state's leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia's technology industry, in collaboration with its Business and Technology Alliance society (B&TA), today announced the finalists for the 2011 TAG Excalibur Awards. The winning companies will be recognized in one of five categories: small companies, mid-sized companies, large companies, educational and creative.

The 2011 finalists include:

Small
Atlanta Music Project
PSP & Digital
The Savannah Bee Company

Mid-Sized
DIRTT Environmental Solutions
NASCO
Recall

Large
The Coca-Cola Company
InterContinental Hotels Group
Manheim

Educational
Georgia Gwinnett College
Georgia State University
Moultrie Technical College

Creative
The Coca-Cola Company
NCR
The Weather Channel

TAG's Excalibur Awards 2011 recognize Georgia-based companies for their high-tech innovations based on the complexity of the problem that was solved technologically, the creativity of the solution, and the return on investment (ROI). Winners will be recognized at the Excalibur Awards 2011 on October 21, 2011, at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel.

"Every year our decision process to pick the companies and organizations demonstrating the best use of technology gets harder as the number and caliber of entries increases," said Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG. "We are pleased to announce the finalists for this year's Excalibur Awards and look forward to honoring the winners at our ceremony on October 21."

For more information about TAG and the Excalibur Awards, visit http://www.tagonline.org/excalibur-awards.php.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state that connecting it professionals, serving more than 14,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community technology center website at http://www.tagthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

About The Business and Technology Alliance of TAG
The Business and Technology Alliance of TAG is focused on addressing the challenges of today's fast paced marketplace by bringing together business leaders and technology innovators to address key business issues. Their mission is to foster business innovation through the exploration of technological advancements and the ways in which these technologies can help corporations in all industries to solve complex problems and be more competitive. For more information, visit http://www.tagonline.org/tag-business-technology-alliance.php.

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Carrie Wheeler brings leadership and strategy skills with a passion for education to Board

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/19/2011 -- TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed), the charitable organization established by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) that is dedicated to preparing the next-generation workforce through better education and real-life job experiences, announced today the addition of Carrie Wheeler, Chief Information Officer at Cbeyond,to the Board of Directors. Wheeler's extensive experience and leadership in the technology field and her passion for improving education in Georgia will provide insight as TAG-Ed develops programs to link TAG's 13, 500 members to meaningful educational initiatives that enhance STEM education.

"Carrie Wheeler is a very welcome addition to the TAG-Ed Board," Dan McDade, President & CEO of Point Clear LLC and Chair of the TAG Education Collaborative Board commented. "Her experience will be very helpful as TAG-Ed works to define and implement programs designed to connect TAG's membership with education initiatives. Companies like Cbeyond will benefit greatly from education programs designed to improve workforce readiness for technology careers with improved science, technology, engineering and math education across Georgia."

Carrie joined Cbeyond in 2009 as Vice President of IT Strategy & Planning and now serves as Chief Information Officer at Cbeyond where she is responsible for IT strategy, capital planning and management, enterprise architecture, application development and quality assurance. Her scope of support includes Customer Relationship Management, Operational Support Systems, Billing and Billing Operations, Customer Applications and Online Portals.

Prior to joining Cbeyond, Carrie had held several IT leadership positions at AT&T, BellSouth, MCI Communications and Accenture. In previous roles, she held leadership positions across a variety of organizational functions including IT strategy, merger and acquisition planning and execution, customer operations, development, quality assurance, program management and capital management.

Carrie complements her diverse set of skills by giving back to the community where she lives and works. Carrie currently serves on the board of the Georgia Ballet and is an active supporter of Girls Inc. She is also a member of the Technology Association of Georgia, Women in Technology, Atlanta Telecommunications Professionals and Cbeyond's Women's Network. In 2010, she was nominated for Women in Technology's Women of the Year Award.

Carrie holds a Masters in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing & Finance from Trinity University. Carrie and her husband, John, have a daughter, Elizabeth, and live in Decatur where Elizabeth is a 3rd Grader at Clairemont Elementary in the City of Decatur Schools.

"I am excited and honored to join this exciting and dynamic team. I look forward to working closely with Michael and the board to leverage Atlanta's strong technology community in furthering the education and competitiveness of Georgia's next generation" said Wheeler.

For more information on TAG Education collaborative and their programs, visit http://www.tagedonline.org or contact Michael Robertson, Executive Director of TAG Education Collaborative at mrobertson@tagonline.org .

About TAG Education Collaborative
TAG Education Collaborative initiatives include a student internship program, the WebChallenge competition for high school students, and the Vine Event, a fundraiser launched in 2009 which has raised more than $80,000 to support STEM education. The TAG Education Collaborative provides middle school and high school programs designed to provide these students with hands-on activities that enable them to gain an appreciation for the opportunities available in STEM careers. For additional information, visit TAG Education Collaborative or contact Michael Robertson at (404) 920 – 2038 or mrobertson@tagonline.org

About Cbeyond
Cbeyond, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBEY) is a leading provider of IT and communications services to more than 58,000 small businesses in the U.S. Serving growing entrepreneurs, Cbeyond offers more than 30 productivity-enhancing applications including local and long-distance voice, broadband Internet, mobile, BlackBerry®, voicemail, email, Web hosting, fax-to-email, data backup, file-sharing, and virtual private networking. In addition, Cbeyond's Cloud Services division offers virtual and dedicated servers and cloud PBX to small businesses worldwide. Recently, the Cloud Services division won Microsoft's Hosting Partner of the Year Award for 2009 and 2010 in connection with Microsoft's Hyper-V Server product. Winning more than 50 awards for product innovation, growth and a quality customer experience, Cbeyond continues to focus on helping small businesses succeed and grow through high-performance technology, superior services and world-class support. For more information on Cbeyond, visit http://www.cbeyond.net and follow Cbeyond on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Cbeyondinc.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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Technology Association of Georgia Enhances Membership Team with New Hire

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/16/2011 -- The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state's leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia's technology industry, today announced it has named Lauren Jones as the director of membership and corporate events. In this role, Jones will support the continued growth of TAG programs and is responsible of the strategic direction and management of membership development, recruitment and retention of Individual, Corporate Level One and Two members. In addition, she will be responsible for planning several events, including two of TAG's largest events of the year: the Georgia Technology Summit and Excalibur Awards.

"TAG has grown exponentially in the past few years to now support more than 13,500 members," stated Tino Mantella, president and CEO of TAG. "So we are pleased and excited to welcome Lauren to the team and tap into her rich event and marketing experience as we continue to look for new ways to enhance member services, support technology companies and fuel Georgia's rise to be recognized as a top states in the nation for technology."

Before joining TAG, Jones served as the office and special projects coordinator for the Cobb Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and was quickly promoted to marketing coordinator.

In this role she was responsible for planning a number of major events, including Cobb County's Restaurant Week. She also worked on company-wide marketing and social media efforts. Prior to the Cobb CVB, Jones served as the vice president of the Auburn University Program Council where she was responsible for managing a staff of 25 and bringing more than 60 events to campus in one year.

Jones is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a concentration in Marketing. In addition to working at TAG, she serves on the steering committee for the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Achieving Chief Executive Success (ACES) Young Professionals program and is active in her community.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://tagthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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Second Annual Symposium Includes Discussions on Monetizing Financial Data and the Impact of Regulations on Payments

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/14/2011 -- TAG FinTech, a society of Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), announced that FinTech Georgia 2011 will be held November 16 from 10:00 a.m. -7:00 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton, Buckhead. The second annual symposium will showcase some of the leading financial and payment industry executives discussing the future of technology, emerging trends in payments and factors shaping the industry, such as the Dodd Frank/Durbin Amendment.

Peter J. Kight, founder and former chairman of CheckFree Corporation (now Fiserv), will provide this year's keynote address as he accepts FinTech Georgia's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Some of the topics to be discussed include:

Monetization of Financial Data with executives from Cardlytics, Clovr Media, Oliver Wyman and Cartera Commerce;
Dodd Frank One Year Later with representatives from, SunTrust, Elavon, Global Payments, Alston & Bird and Raymond James; and
Regulatory Changes and Top Trends in FinTech with Madeline K. Aufseeser, a senior analyst with Aite Group.

"Last year's event showed us that there is significant interest in Georgia's influence in the financial, payments and technology space," said C. David Chambless of Abrax Business Services and Chair for TAG FinTech. "This event's participants, content and networking will make FinTech Georgia 2011 one of the best, high-level events in the financial industry and further position Georgia as a leading state for financial technology."

After the sessions, there will be a cocktail reception with panelists and presenters, TAG FinTech board members and executives from Georgia's leading FinTech companies. Registration details may be found at http://www.tagonline.org/TAG-FinTech-Georgia-2011.php.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.tagthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

About TAG FinTech
TAG FinTech was founded in 2010 to address the specific needs of companies, individuals and investors serving the financial industry both domestically and abroad. Financial technology or FinTech encompasses products, solutions, services and information providers, which drive decisions, process payments and facilitate transactions for financial institutions. Georgia FinTech company revenues are more than $34 billion annually, which places it third in the nation behind New York and California. Together, the banking, insurance and capital markets consistently spend more on technology than any other industry. For more information about FinTech, see http://www.tagonline.org/TAG-FinTech.php

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Technology Association of Georgia Strengthens and Expands Presence in Costal Georgia

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2011 -- The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state's leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia's technology industry, today announced it has named Brady Cannon programs director for the TAG Savannah office. Cannon was appointed to this position to help further establish TAG's presence in the region by coordinating unique local TAG events, supporting TAG's annual CFO auction fundraiser and serving as the key liaison with TAG's existing and future partners in the Savannah area.

"The presence of one of the fastest growing seaports in the nation and resources including the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) contribute to making Savannah a key region for Georgia's technology industry," stated Tino Mantella, president and CEO of TAG. "We are pleased to bring Brady on board and are excited to extend the valuable programs and services we provide to the Atlanta region to such a key technology area for our state. "

Cannon will also be coordinating TAG's Economic Gardening program in Savannah. Last year, TAG assisted 26 second-stage (employees of 10-99) companies with their needs in financing, core strategy, management team development and market intelligence. Utilizing a year-long match grant from the Economic Development Administration that TAG has invested over TAG has invested over $200,000 in the ten-county costal Georgia Region through the Economic Gardening program.

Mantella added: "Georgia tops the nation in entrepreneurial activity, but many of our startup companies move out of state as they grow. We are pleased that, through TAG's Economic Gardening program, we've been able to help Savannah companies, such as Digitus Biometrics and iTech, take the next steps in their development and keep them here in Georgia."

Before joining TAG, Brady served in the United States Peace Corps for over two years as an Agricultural and Rural Business consultant in the Republic of Moldova. After the Peace Corps, Brady worked with the Small Business Assistance Corporation as a micro-business finance associate and later as the shipping manager for Savannah Bee Company.

Born and raised in Savannah, Brady has a degree in economics from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.tagthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/08/2011 -- TechAmerica Georgia, the national partner of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), today announced twelve new members to the 2011 TechAmerica Georgia Council advisory board.

The new board members include:

Bruce Kopkin, Mid-Atlantic Sales Director, IBM;
Dan Mondor, President and Chief Executive Officer, Concurrent;
Bryan Martin, Southeast District Manager, Hewlett Packard Company;
Bo Laughlin, Account Executive, Dell, Inc;
David Keating, Partner, Alston & Bird, LLP; Paula Fowler, Senior Vice President of Operations, CresaPartners;
Phil Davis, Senior Vice President, Flex HR, Inc; Jeff Sharritts, Area Vice President – Commercial South, Cisco Systems, Inc;
Bruce Hagenau, President & Co-Founder, Metcam, Inc;
Marilyn Jackson, Client Partner, Verizon Business;
Mary Hester, Chairman & CEO, LAN Systems;
Jeff Schimelman, State and Local Government and Education, Google Enterprise Sales.

Robert Shults, Public Sector Program Manager at Intel continues to chair the 2011 TechAmerica Georgia board and Dan Mondor, President and Chief Executive Officer at Concurrent serves as vice-chair.

"The quality and commitment of individuals that we have on the TechAmerica Georgia Advisory Board continues to grow," said Robert Shults. "The accomplishments we have made thus far in 2011 are a clear indication that the members of the board were chosen well."

TechAmerica Georgia advisory board supports the direction and strategic objectives for the association in Georgia. Georgia board members set the strategic course by playing a key role in the development and execution of the organization's plan; open doors to leverage physical, social, intellectual and political capital; and provide resources to support the procurement of human capital and financial resources. The board's structure is supported by three primary task forces – Membership, Spirit of Endeavor and Government Relations – which ultimately contribute to the association's aspiration.

"TAG's partnership with TechAmerica allows us to extend our support for Georgia technology companies beyond state boundaries and around the world," said Tino Mantella, president and CEO of TAG. "We are pleased our Georgia chapter is expanding with such a diverse and talented advisory board and expect TechAmerica Georgia to help further position the state as a leader in technology."

Additional TechAmerica Georgia Board members include: Adam Beckerman, Partner, Habif, Arogeti & Wynne; Stan Burnette, President, Burnette Insurance; Norman Geddes, Chairman, Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Applied Systems Intelligence; Price Harding, Chairman of the Board, United Technology Group; Joan Herbig, Chief Executive Officer, ControlScan, Inc; Robert Horne, President, CCC, Inc; Jeff Katz, President and Chief Operating Officer, Definition 6; Neil MacKay, President and Chief Executive Officer, EMS Technologies; Jonathan Pine, President, Renova Technologies; Mike Scher, President, Frontline Selling; George Shea, Partner and Information Technology Team, Focus, LLC; Rob Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Quality Group; and Chuck Wilson, Senior Partner, Technology Practice, McKenna, Long and Aldridge.

TAG and TechAmerica partnered to form the TechAmerica Georgia chapter in an effort to to enhance TAG's benefits and offer national reach to Georgia companies. For more information about events and membership benefits visit http://www.tagonline.org/techamerica.php.

About TechAmerica
TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry – the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,200 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry's largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members' top and bottom lines. TechAmerica is also the technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing).It was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA).Learn more about TechAmerica at http://www.techamerica.org.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.tagthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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TAG and TAG Social Business Society Host Upcoming CIO Panel

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/07/2011 -- The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state's leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia's technology industry, and the TAG Social Business society are hosting a CIO panel discussion on accelerating business performance through Social Business enterprise collaboration at 5:30p.m. on September 7, 2011 at Villa Christina at Perimeter Summit.

The discussion will be moderated by Paul Miller, Business Development at McKesson. Panelists include Chris Kenyon, CIO at Elavon; Andy Goodwin, CIO at Georgia Hospital Association; Edwin Marcial, CTO at Intercontinental Exchange; and Jay Ferro, SVP, CIO at AdCare Health Systems, and will focus on the new business opportunities existing through social media platforms and other collaborative tools, including Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft 365. Panelists will share the impact they are seeing in their own businesses by developing collaborative tools, including on productivity, employee retention and competitiveness in the marketplace.

"Social business is about recognizing the value of people," said Hal Schlenger, of Allconnect and TAG Social Business co-chair. "It's about the cultural shift to better enable collaboration and engagement internally as well as various external stakeholders and customers. Many well-known, successful corporations understand this and continue to streamline their companies' performance as a result. The intent of this discussion is to separate the hype from reality in order to facilitate the growth of local businesses by helping them understand the practical application of social business tactics."

TAG Social Business society is sponsored by gold sponsors McKesson, PGi and North Highland Company.

TAG's Social Business society (formerly Enterprise 2.0) focuses on a new breed of IT infrastructure that enables organizations to become more competitive in the age of globalization and accelerating change. It has its roots in consumer social software which has led to breakthroughs in just-in-time relevant communications and collaboration that is now leading directly back into the enterprise. For more information visit: http://www.tagonline.org/tag_social_business.php.

About TAG Social Business
TAG Social Business society provides Georgia business leaders with insights, resources and the opportunity to collaborate to help harness the power of "social" for their companies. Social Business is the adaptation to a new world of work where employees and customers expect to get more and do more, with less. Businesses who have adopted the technologies and embraced the cultural changes have accelerated by focusing on these changes. We are as much about the impact to company culture as we are about the benefits to the customers and employees. The goal of the TAG Social Business society is to empower leaders within Georgia's technology industry with knowledge and networking necessary to begin moving their organizations towards an organizational process paradigm that meets the challenges for the 21st century. For additional information, please visit http://www.tagonline.org/tag_social_business.php or follow the group on Twitter @TAGSocialBiz.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.tagthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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Discussion lead by Ari M. Schwartz, Senior Internet Policy Advisor for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Department of Commerce

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/02/2011 -- TechAmerica Georgia, the national partner of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), and McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP announced that Ari M. Schwartz, Senior Internet Policy Advisor for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Department of Commerce will be speaking at their jointly hosted breakfast discussion on National Cybersecurity Policy from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on September 7, 2011 at the SunTrust Plaza in downtown Atlanta.

The White House recently unveiled its new Cybersecurity Legislative Proposal, which is currently being debated in Washington. If enacted, this legislation will affect many government and private-sector owners and operators of information systems and networks deemed "critical infrastructure", including the transportation, logistics, IT security, payment services, telecommunications, and health care industries, key clusters in Georgia.

Schwartz, the Department of Commerce's top technology policy architect tasked with coordinating the Obama Administration's cybersecurity initiatives, will discuss the implications of these issues and how they could affect area businesses.

"As technology advances and more information and services are offered in the cloud, so do the threats to the security of our information," stated Robert Shults, chair of the TechAmerica Georgia board of advisors and Strategic Public Sector Programs at Intel. "We are pleased to bring one of the nation's top security experts to Atlanta to discuss the impact of national cybersecurity legislation on our businesses."

TAG and TechAmerica partnered to form the TechAmerica Georgia chapter in an effort to enhance TAG's benefits and offer national reach to Georgia companies. For more information about events and membership benefits visit http://www.tagonline.org/techamerica.php.

TechAmerica Georgia is the national partner of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).

About TechAmerica
TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry – the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,200 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry's largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members' top and bottom lines. TechAmerica is also the technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing).It was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA).Learn more about TechAmerica at www.techamerica.org.

About McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP
McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP is an international law firm with 475 attorneys and public policy advisors. The firm provides business solutions in the areas of complex litigation, corporate, government contracts, health care, intellectual property, technology, environment and energy regulations, climate change, finance, international law, public policy and real estate. To learn more about the firm and its services, go to http://www.mckennalong.com.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/26/2011 -- Due to numerous requests from companies and organizations that want to participate in the Intel Innovation Awards portion of the 2011 Health IT Leadership Summit, the deadline for submissions has been extended to September 15, 2011. Presented for the first time this year, the Intel Innovation Awards will recognize companies developing leading-edge technology to improve healthcare delivery and processes. Entry forms may be downloaded from the website at: http://www.GAHealthIT.com.

Interested parties operating in every aspect of the healthcare industry, from startups and large enterprises, to single physician practices and healthcare delivery systems, are encouraged to apply. Four finalists will be selected to present at the 2011 Health IT Leadership Summit and one will be recognized as the top innovator. The winner will also be showcased by Intel as an innovation leader at 2012 HIMSS and in other Intel promotions.

"We've received such great interest in this award—from established companies, start-ups, government departments, non-profit agencies, hospitals and private practices—we wanted to give everyone a chance to participate," explained Pat Williams, chairwoman for the 2011 Summit. "From the applications we've received so far, we've been truly impressed by the collaboration of these groups to find solutions to the challenges facing our health delivery process."

The 2011 Health IT Leadership Summit will take place on November 8, 2011, at the Fox Theatre from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. In addition to innovation, the 2011 Summit will address the programs and initiatives that support a robust health IT cluster, including workforce readiness, special projects, capital investments, public policy and innovation.

The Health IT Leadership Summit was founded in 2010 by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber and Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Health. More than 111 leading health IT companies participated and over 500 people attended the first event, which highlighted Georgia's leadership in the industry and addressed the actions needed to build and sustain a premier health IT workforce and build a robust health IT cluster. Attendance for the second annual Summit is expected to top 500 people.

Additional information and registration: http://www.GAHealthIT.com.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://www.TAGthink.com.

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Industry Expert Will Provide Keynote at August 30th Event

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/26/2011 -- Dan Rastler, senior project manager for the energy storage program at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Palo, Alto, Calif., will be the keynote speaker at a Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) Smart Grid society seminar on battery storage Aug. 30.

Rastler will join several energy storage experts in discussing trends and innovations in the $500 million battery storage industry during the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Alston & Bird, 1180 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta.

The seminar will also include a panel discussion with Ken Caird, senior transmission and distribution systems engineer, GE Energy; Clifton Black, senior research engineer, Southern Company; and Vincent Pusateri, senior director, business development, GS Battery USA. The panel discussion will be moderated by Sean Atkins, partner, Alston & Bird.

"Despite the large anticipated need for energy storage solutions within the electric enterprise, very few grid-integrated storage installations are in actual operation in the United States today," said Rastler. "This landscape is expected to change around 2011–2012, when a host of new storage options supported by more than $250 million in U.S. stimulus funding begin to emerge and, in turn, catalyze a portfolio of new energy storage demonstrations."

The battery storage event is the fourth in a series of programs on a wide range of smart grid technologies sponsored by the TAG Smart Grid society. The group's mission is to raise awareness and the development of smart grid technologies in Georgia.

"We are extremely pleased about the high level of experience and expertise of our speakers for the seminar," said Pusateri, who is serving as program chair for the event. "They will bring tremendous insights to our look at the state of battery storage and its future role in the smart grid eco-system."

The term "smart grid" refers to a modernization of the electricity delivery system so it monitors, protects, and automatically optimizes the operation of its interconnected elements. The Smart Grid encompasses everything from distributed power generation, to renewable energy sources, like solar.

The battery storage seminar is sponsored by Alston & Bird, Atlanta; Exide Technologies, Milton, Ga.; and GS Battery USA, Roswell, Ga. The event, which includes a luncheon buffet, costs $15 for TAG members and $25 for nonmembers. For more information the event, please contact Richie Johnson at TAG at (404) 920-2028 or at Richie@tagonline.org.

For more information on the TAG Smart Grid society, please visit: http://www.tagonline.org/SmartGrid.php.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive.

For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at http://tagthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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Awards Honor Most Innovative Georgia Technology Businesses and People

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/22/2011 -- TechAmerica Georgia and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) are accepting nominations for the ninth annual Sprit of Endeavor Awards through October 14, 2011. The awards program recognizes outstanding technology companies and individuals in Georgia. Honorees and finalists will be celebrated during the awards ceremony over breakfast from 7:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. on December 9, 2011 at Twelve Hotel Atlantic Station in Atlanta and a portion of the proceeds from the ceremony will benefit the TAG Education Collaborative.

The TechAmerica Spirit of Endeavor awards recognize the critical components of creativity and execution of ideas that the technology industry thrives upon. Open to both TechAmerica members and non-members, the awards honor companies and individuals for their significant accomplishments in the technology industry.

Award categories include:

• Outstanding Leadership -presented to an individual who has demonstrated significant leadership in the technology community

• Technology Entrepreneur - presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in bringing technology to market

• Emerging Business - presented to a young company that is recognized for its success in the marketplace

• Technology Innovation - presented to an individual for the development of breakthrough technology

• Cool Technology - determined by onsite text voting and presented to a company as having a "cutting edge" hip new idea

"Georgia is a nationally recognized hub for technology and the Spirit of Endeavor Awards is our opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments," said Bruce Kopkin, MidAtlantic Sales Director at IBM Software Group and chair of the 2011 Spirit of Endeavor Awards. "These awards recognize the 'best of the best' in technology in Georgia and provide a platform for national exposure. So we encourage our community to get involved and get recognized for the great advances they are making in technology every day."

Company nominations and self-nominations are accepted. Nominations are limited to a maximum of three award categories per individual and/or company. Up to five finalists will be chosen for each category by a selection committee comprised of more than 30 representatives from the Georgia technology community.

"The Spirit of Endeavor Awards are a great example of the value our partnership with TechAmerica brings to Georgia's technology community," said Tino Mantella, president and CEO of TAG. "We have so many people and companies who are changing the world through their technology and we are proud to provide them recognition for their hard work and innovation."

The 2011 Spirit of Endeavor Awards would not be possible if it weren't for the dedication and commitment of the prestigious sponsors. Sponsors include Concurrent (Platinum), ASAP Solutions Group (Gold), CresaPartners (Silver), Intel (Silver), and Burnette Insurance (Silver).

For additional information on sponsorship opportunities, nomination information, award criteria as well as event registration, please visit: www.tagonline.org/Spirit-of-Endeavor.php or contact Kate Kelsey at 404.920.2012 or Kate@tagonline.org .

About TechAmerica Georgia
TechAmerica is the largest and strongest voice and resource for technology in the United States and is the industry's leading trade association. TechAmerica Georgia, formerly TechAmerica Southeast, was created in late 2009 under a unique partnership between TechAmerica and the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), which provides operational management for the organization. TAG is a non-profit organization whose mission is to support its members by generating opportunities for personal, professional and business growth. By forging strategic alliances, TAG serves as a primary catalyst to foster a rich environment for economic development in Georgia's technology community. TAG is made up of 8,000 members representing technology leaders from over 1,500 Georgia-based companies, affiliated technology and business organizations.

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Long time Education Advocate to bring Visibility and Fundraising Expertise to Board

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/22/2011 -- TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed), the charitable organization established by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) that is dedicated to preparing the next-generation workforce through better education and real-life job experiences, announced today the addition of Sharon Hendricks to the Board of Directors. Hendricks is a strong advocate for improving the education system in Georgia and has a proven track record for raising funds for organizations supporting this cause.

Dan McDade, President & CEO of Point Clear LLC and Chair of the TAG Education Collaborative Board commented, "We are very pleased that a person with Sharon's knowledge and experience has joined the TAG-Ed Board. Her creativity and passion for education has been evident from our first conversation. Sharon brings a strong voice for doing what is best for the student and her other volunteer activities fit nicely with our efforts to improve workforce readiness for technology careers."

Sharon Hendricks serves as a Vice President of Forsyth County Council PTA and Family Engagement. In her position, she is responsible for assisting families to become more involved in their child's education, as well as engaging with Forsyth County Schools to promote engagement with a renowned national association.
Sharon has been a member of PTA for 15 years and involved in multiple programs to foster advanced curriculums and lead SPLOST funding campaigns focused on education as well as serving as a judge for the teacher of the year for Forsyth County. She has organized, marketed and designed events and fundraisers focused on bringing awareness to the needs of schools and county wide education. In her current capacity with the county she works directly with schools and the school board to ensure that parents are aware of the needs and opportunities for children and focused on improving Georgia's future workforce.
Sharon and her husband, Robert, reside in Forsyth County and have two school aged children that attend Forsyth County Schools.

Tino Mantella, President of Technology Association of Georgia adds, "Sharon will be a tremendous addition to the board. Her passion for helping Georgia's youth, combined with her organization skills will reap dividends for TAG-Ed and ultimately our students, for years to come."

For more information on the Student Internship Program, visit http://www.tagedonline.org or contact Michael Robertson, Executive Director of TAG Education Collaborative at mrobertson@tagonline.org .

About TAG Education Collaborative
TAG Education Collaborative initiatives include a student internship program, the WebChallenge competition for high school students, and the Vine Event, a fundraiser launched in 2009 which has raised more than $80,000 to support STEM education. The TAG Education Collaborative provides middle school and high school programs designed to provide these students with hands-on activities that enable them to gain an appreciation for the opportunities available in STEM careers. For additional information, visit TAG Education Collaborative or contact Michael Robertson at (404) 920 – 2038 or mrobertson@tagonline.org

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

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TAG Annual Run/Walk Encourages Healthy Lifestyles and Supports Organizational Camaraderie through Corporate Team Challenge

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/22/2011 -- The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), the state's leading association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of Georgia's technology industry, is hosting their annual Techie 5K/10K Run/Walk benefitting the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed) on Saturday, October 1, 2011 beginning at 8:00 a.m. The run/walk will be held at 130 Technology Parkway in Norcross, Georgia.

The Techie 5K/10K Run/Walk was created to support healthy competition and networking among Georgia's technology community. This is the first year that the 5K race is being added to the established 10K, and both races are USATF certified for Peachtree Road Race seeding.

Companies are encouraged to sponsor corporate teams as a way to build camaraderie among employees and encourage healthy and fit lifestyles. Sponsorships range from $500 to $5,000 and all corporate teams have an opportunity to compete for the coveted "Corporate Team Cup". Past cup winners include: BLiNQ Media (2009) and AutoTrader.com (2010).

"This is a unique opportunity for Georgia's technology companies to become more directly involved with their community and each other. It's about strengthening the camaraderie within our own businesses as well as within Georgia's technology sector," said Tino Mantella, President and CEO of TAG.

A portion of the proceeds from the run/walk will benefit the TAG-Ed's mission to strengthen Georgia's future workforce by helping science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. Last year, there were close to 300 participants with 25 corporate teams and individuals competing.

In addition to the Corporate Cup challenge individual participants have the chance to compete for awards and prizes including the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female finisher award, fastest C-level runner award and a prize for all who beat the TAG CEO. In addition, this year all participants will be entered to win a Blackberry Playbook.

Regarding the "Who Can Beat the TAG CEO?" challenge, Mantella remarked: "I look forward to competing this year. I am training hard and am interested to see who will beat me and win a prize. My motto is…catch me if you can!"

For more information regarding the event and registration, please visit http://www.tagonline.org/techie10k.php or contact Era Williams at era@tagonline.org or 404.920.2011. Register online or onsite the day of the event.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 13,000 members and hosting over 170 events each year. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 30 industry societies, each of which provides rich content for TAG constituents. TAG's mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia's technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy. The association provides members with access to networking and educational programs; recognizes and promotes Georgia's technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state's economic climate for technology. Additionally, the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG's charitable arm) focuses on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org or TAG's community website at www.TAGthink.com. To learn about the TAG-Ed Collaborative visit http://www.tagedonline.org/.

About TAG Education Collaborative
TAG Education Collaborative initiatives include a student internship program, the WebChallenge competition for high school students, and the Vine Event, a fundraiser launched in 2009 which has raised more than $80,000 to support STEM education. The TAG Education Collaborative provides middle school and high school programs designed to provide these students with hands-on activities that enable them to gain an appreciation for the opportunities available in STEM careers. For additional information, visit TAG Education Collaborative or contact Michael Robertson at (404) 920 – 2038 or mrobertson@tagonline.org

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Program will examine Georgia’s leadership in healthcare information technology and how we will build and sustain our premier Healthcare IT workforce

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/28/2010 -- The Metro Atlanta Chamber, TAG Health and the Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that they will jointly host the Healthcare Information Technology (HIT) Leadership Summit on November 9, 2010. This event, which will run from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM, will examine the national spotlight on healthcare, available federal funding, current economic conditions and the urgent need for jobs in Georgia. This critical event will also provide an opportunity to showcase Georgia's HIT market and career growth in one of the country's fastest growing industries.

Georgia ranks as the leading state for total HIT revenues according to the Healthcare Informatics HCI-100 list. Over the past decade, Georgia has attained the premier nationwide leadership position as an HIT cluster. This notable achievement is due to the vast assets of the state's numerous HIT corporations and healthcare providers, served and supported by the diverse resources of multiple companies located in Georgia. Another vital component of this recognition is the highly trained professional HIT workforce provided by nationally prominent university medical schools, technical colleges and other training programs throughout Georgia.

The primary purpose of the November 9th event is to unite business community leaders, healthcare providers and educators to further advance Georgia as the national leader in HIT. The specific focus of the event is to address current and future industry requirements necessary to expand, equip and sustain the professional workforce required to maximize HIT growth in Georgia.

Registration and information is now available online at http://www.tagonline.org/HIT-11-9-10.php. The event will be held at the historic Fox Theatre in Midtown Atlanta.

About The Metro Atlanta Chamber
The Metro Atlanta Chamber mobilizes and connects the business community to drive economic development and public policies that promote sustainable growth. Our board of directors draws from Atlanta's top business leaders. We have a professional staff of 90 and serve 4,000 member companies who employ nearly 1 million workers. We create value in return for our members' time and investment by producing results on each issue we choose to tackle.

In economic development, our project managers attract the best companies and jobs. In the last decade, we have recruited over 500 companies creating over 85,000 direct and indirect jobs. We focus on recruiting headquarters and international business -- and companies in the supply chain, healthcare IT, bioscience and technology sectors.

In public policy, we tackle crisis issues and critical quality-of-life challenges. In 2010 we achieved an historic "3 for 3" victory by passing all three of our major legislative priorities – transportation, water and school board reform.

For members, we offer 150+ events and activities each year to help them connect and make key business contacts.

For more information on the chamber's healthcare IT initiatives please contact: David Hartnett, 404-586-8443, dhartnett@macoc.com; Molly Taylor, 404-586-8461, mtaylor@macoc.com

About TAG Health
TAG Health is one of 27 special interest groups that make up the Technology Association of Georgia, which is a 10,700-member organization. TAG Health's mission is to create an environment that fosters economic development through health technology in the state of Georgia. That mission is fulfilled through programs and events for our members and guests, which include corporate, government, education and entrepreneurial leaders throughout the state. As the federal government makes funds available for the adoption of healthcare technology, TAG Health is leading the way by bringing together providers, payers, vendors, as well as government and education leaders.

About The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
TAG is a leading technology industry association dedicated to the promotion and economic advancement of the state's technology industry. TAG provides leadership in driving initiatives in the areas of policy, capital, education and giving, and also brings the technology community together through events, initiative programs and networking opportunities. TAG serves as an umbrella organization for 27 special interest groups, or societies, including Women in Technology (WIT). Additionally, TAG's charitable arm, the TAG Education Collaborative, is focused on helping science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education initiatives thrive. For more information visit the TAG website at http://www.tagonline.org or TAG's nonprofit networking organization and technology community at http://www.TAGthink.com.

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