Sarasota, Fl, April 20, 2006 - The city’s first-ever technology conference for company executives, technology professionals and technology students will take place August 31, 2006 at the Hyatt Sarasota. The 2006 Technology Conference: Integration at the Crossroads will connect attendees with the latest technology resources and knowledge to boost their businesses. It will be made up of three sessions as well as a panel discussion and key-note address.

The event is being coordinated by The Young Technology Alliance, a newly formed organization dedicated to bringing technology events to the Sarasota area. Their mission is to nurture technology awareness in the community by harnessing the power of technology through the education and unification of technology professionals. The Alliance has partnered with The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and 82 DegreesTech to bring the 2006 Technology Conference to the area.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce President Steve Queior, CCE, said he is excited about the conference because it will offer “a thought-provoking, educational forum and great networking opportunities for all types of business owners and managers.” He added, “It takes constant updating of one’s marketing, operations and other business strategies and processes to stay ahead of the pack these days. We’re happy conference participants will be able to gain valuable insights about their specific situation and about how to be more competitive through effective technology use.”

Dan Miller, 82 DegreesTech president, noted this event stands out as it “will really be the first event where local technologies companies will be able to demonstrate their capabilities to a very broad audience, while also participating in a unique educational and social opportunity.”

Manatee Chamber of Commerce President Robert Bartz said they are supporting the event because of the significant and vital role technology plays in the operation of businesses today. He continued, “It is so important that the Manatee Chamber of Commerce provide our members with as much access to information about the changing face of technology as possible. This type of information helps local businesses operate effectively in this competitive, worldwide marketplace."

The Young Technology Alliance Chair Anand Pallegar is spearheading this event to bring awareness to the diversity of tech-related companies in the area and provide an outlet for technology professionals to connect. “Our goal is for this conference to provide the perfect venue for industry thought leaders to come together to share information and ideas” said Pallegar.

Below is a brief summary of the Young Technology Alliance board.

Anand Pallegar
Anand Pallegar is the founder of atLarge, Inc. and the co-founder of the S2 Report, the first daily digital publication on the Gulf Coast. The 27-year-old British native moved to the U.S. at the age of 18. He was attending the University of Michigan when he founded Atlas Networks, a web hosting company from his dorm room. A year later, he was recruited as technical director of U.S. operations for EYE4U, a European leader in interactive marketing. In 2001, he founded atLarge, Inc., an interactive Web agency focused on interactive digital solutions. Some of their client experiences include Ford Motor Company, J.D. Powers & Associates and the University of Michigan. Anand oversees the management of atLarge, Inc. and its talent pool of brand strategists, digital artists, programmers and producers.

John Barron
John Barron has worked as a marketing professional for over 15 years. He served as marketing director for a regional theater and a nation-wide furniture chain. He also worked with several clients as an account executive for Marketing By Design, a Florida-based advertising agency. His passion for working with designers and web programmers to create Internet marketing solutions for business owners inspired him to create Barron Productions, an Internet marketing company. He now specializes in search engine marketing.

Sinan Gurman
Sinan Gurman is a marketing analytics and software consultant at the Sequoya Group Inc., a leading provider of automated analytic and forecasting solutions. He is responsible for design, implementation and management of statistically based forecasting software applications and consulting services. Sinan is the lead Sequoya consultant for Colgate Palmolive Company, ConAgra Foods, US Smokeless Tobacco Company and Bayer.
Gurman holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida. He earned his undergraduate degree in Physics from Middle East Technical University in Turkey.

Diane Arthurs
Diane Arthurs is a graphic designer and new media coordinator for Anexio, Inc., a technology and Web site development company.
Diane is originally from Holland. After completing her education in Amsterdam, she came to the U.S. and started a small family business that allowed her and her family to travel throughout the U.S. and Canada. She has always had a great love for art and believes graphic design is an art form that visually connects a business with its current or potential customers.
Diane holds a degree in graphic design from Keiser College.

Amanda Eyer
Amanda Eyer is the marketing coordinator for Tropics Software Technologies, a Sarasota-based software company specializing in software for the workers’ compensation insurance industry. Her duties include general marketing activities such as writing press releases, Web site copy, trade show management and coordinating the annual three-day Users Conference for Tropics clients.
Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida. She is expected to graduate in May of 2006 with a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida.