Members of TECNA, an international association that represents technology councils from across North America, will meet July 23-25 in the Madison area for the group’s 25th annual summer conference.

The Wisconsin Technology Council is a member of the Technology Councils of North America and was selected to serve as host organization for the conference, which will attract tech leaders from most of the 50 states, all Canadian provinces and some states in Mexico.

People from Wisconsin’s tech community may register at the TECNA member rate for the full conference, which includes working sessions at Epic Systems Corp. in Verona and a variety of social events during the three-day conference.  Those who would like to attend the a la carte keynote and social options, which will be held at a variety of Madison-area venues, can register separately or as a combined package at $125 for all three.

The keynote plenary panel is available on its own for $50 or in combination with two evening receptions at the reduced rate.  The July 24 panel discussion on Madison Capitol Square will focus on how technology council partnerships can help drive tech economies. It will feature Eric Borgerding, president of the Wisconsin Hospital Association; Lorrie Heinemann, president and CEO of the Madison Development Corp.; Mark Hogan, secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.; and Erik Iverson, managing director of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

Social networking sessions on the evenings of July 23 and July 24 are also open to community members at $50 each or as part of the package.  The July 23 “Welcome to Wisconsin reception” will feature live music by the “Grooving Needles,” comprised of local band members from the area. “Grooving Needles” performs regularly at select Madison venues and events; its sounds include classic rock hits from the 1950s, 60s and 70s.  Also planned for the evening are a supper club themed buffet, walking tours of Alumni Park and trolley tours of the UW-Madison campus.

The July 24 reception will be held at the Madison Children’s Museum, with Concerts on the Square providing musical entertainment.  A variety of local food specialties, as well as craft beers, house wines and custom cocktails, will be available to guests as they roam the museum exhibits and rooftop and experience one of Wisconsin’s most entertaining museums.  To learn more about the conference or the special social package, visit https://tecna2019.com/.

“This year marks the first time TECNA has held its summer conference in Wisconsin,” said Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council. “The group’s other major gathering is held each February in Washington, D.C., to discuss federal issues and trends affecting the tech economy.”

TECNA represents about 50 trade associations that, in turn, represent more than 22,000 technology-related companies in North America.

Founded in 2001, the Wisconsin Technology Council is the science and technology advisor to the governor and the Legislature. It is an independent, non-profit and non-partisan board with members from tech companies, venture capital firms, higher education, research institutions, government and law.

“Visitors from TECNA will see why the Madison area is a leading tech hub, and why Wisconsin is an exciting place to live, work and play,” Still said.

The premier sponsor is Epic. Other sponsors include Promega, UBS/The Burish Group, the Consumer Technology Association, Industrious, Alliant Energy, WARF, M.O.D. Media Productions, AT&T, Slavic 401K and Apprenti.

For information, contact Tammy Ehrmann at 608-442-7557 x5.