I love the fact that part of my job as GWATA's Program Manager is simply (attempting) to keep up with the latest in technology. The fact that I love technology and all things gadgety helps a lot. I was cautiously optimistic last month when I received an email from Square about about their new card reader that can be used to charge credit cards using a smartphone. 'Cautiously optimistic' because I had previously received one from Intuit that turned out to be NOT as easy as described.

I've now moved from cautiously optimistic to full blown FAN of Square! It was ridiculously easy to set up, and using it is a breeze. Initially you sign up for an account with Square and they ship you a free card reader for your phone (it plugs into the earphone jack). Install the app on your phone (both iOS and Android are supported), input your bank account information and verify the account...voila' you're ready to go.

There is ZERO monthly fee which was a big selling point for GWATA, as we have many months out of the year with no credit card payments at all. There is a flat fee of 2.75% if you swipe a card, or 3.5% + $0.15 for manually entering a card number. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are accepted. A few other little extras, like being able to text or email the customer a receipt and a location map of where the card was charged are nice as well! 

If you're a small business, or doing business outside of a traditional setting where you may not have power or a phone line for a machine, you may want to look into it. Oh, and I'm happy to show it to you at any GWATA event! If you'd like more information check out https://squareup.com/

I just returned from my first trip to Disneyland and all I can say is 'Wow'! Actually I guess that's not ALL I can say as I'm about to blog all about it, but it was definitely worth a 'Wow'. Technology is employed at Disneyland in an inifinte number of ways, but the first tip of the hat has to be to the rides. I've always loved roller coasters, but they've really become a multimedia experience! The best part is that it is worked into the ride so seamlessly that you may not even notice it. I'm pretty sure that I rode California Screamin' at least 15 times during my trip (yeah, it was that fun  ), and it wasnt until the 5th or 6th time that I realized that there was music playing inside the car with me. It definitely enhances the experience, but not isn't so loud that you're annoyed by it. Space Mountain benefits from the same set up. Then there are the ride/games like Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and the newest of these, Toy Story Mania. Toy Story Mania was outstanding with video screens that allowed you to shoot virtual ping pong balls, darts, and rings at target on the screens. Very accurate targeting and physics...I could have played this one all day long (in between roller coaser rides). The shows are amazing as well, especially the 3D experience, "It's Tough to Be a Bug", even though you're stationary for this show, I probably jumped and squealed as much as I did on some of the big rides! Don't want to spoil it for anyone that hasn't been there yet, but I will say that when a stink bug turns his back to you....you should probably plug your nose!

March 18, 2011

7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Microsoft Executive Conference Center, Redmond, WA

http://www.technology-alliance.com/events/events.html

Designed to focus on what really makes innovation economies grow, the Washington Innovation Summit is the must-attend event for our state's innovation-driven business and economic development community. This day-long conference will identify new, effective strategies that will promote high-impact job growth and provide a framework for Washington's work in technology-based economic development. Explore how innovation is changing the enterprise and our economy with leading technology, business and policy experts, featuring: Crossing the Chasm author Geoffrey Moore; Larry Smarr, Founding Director of the California Institute for Telecommunications & Information Technology; Congressman Jay Inslee; Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna; and Travis Sullivan, VP for International Strategy & Business Development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Registration:

http://innovationsummit2011.eventbrite.com/

Register online by March 11 to receive the early-bird rate of $225. After that date, advance tickets are $255.

As GWATA, the NCW Technology Alliance prepares to host the 11th Annual Innovator Awards presented by LocalTel Communications on Tuesday, March 29th, we have also been busy behind the scenes accepting nominations for Tech Savvy Business of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and Future Technology Leaders. I'm thrilled to report that we got a record number of nominations this year, and that those nominations were all very high quality! 

Top Nominees for Tech Savvy Business of the Year:

Top Nominees for Entrepreneur of the Year:

The Future Technology Leaders award(s) are for student led projects in technology, science, engineering or math fields. Bradley Shipley and the RAMbots 4-H Club will be recognized as the 2011 Future Technology Leaders during the awards luncheon.

GWATA, the NCW Technology Alliance will be holding our annual Innovator Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, March 29 from Noon to 1:30 at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The Technology Alliance is a not for profit organization and all proceeds from the event, featuring a keynote address by  Microsoft’s Rick Bakken, Senior Director Data Center Evangelism with the focus on the Cloud, will support GWATA programs for the year.

Rick represents Global Foundational Services (GFS), the group that is the platform for Microsoft’s search, advertising, live, cloud and other online services. His organization supports over 200 Microsoft online services for consumers and businesses worldwide. GFS designs, builds and administers Microsoft’s global datacenter footprint to include connectivity and service availability. Bakken is an 18 year veteran with Microsoft and has managed IT operations, sales and marketing, business development, procurement, global strategies, product development, technical support, manufacturing and supply chain, and finance practices. He holds a BS in International Management from Muskingum University and is a member of the International Coaches Federation (ICF) and is a practicing executive trainer and coach.