82 Degrees Tech to Become Suncoast Technology Forum; Announces Alignment with TBTF to Benefit Members

Sarasota, Fla. (December 2, 2009) – With the goal of growing membership and adding value to the local business community, 82 Degrees Tech, the technology association serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, has announced it will align itself with the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) effective January 1, 2010. To reflect this alignment, 82 Degrees Tech will re-brand itself as the Suncoast Technology Forum.

“This is not a merger or acquisition, but simply an affiliation that will result in benefits to both organizations, their members and the economy,” said Deb Curtiss, chair of TBTF and vice president and general manager of Peak 10. “I would like to credit this outcome to my vice-chair Anand Pallegar, who was really the driving force behind this effort. Now Suncoast Technology Forum members will have the benefit of dual enrollment in the TBTF, granting them access to valuable networking and volunteering opportunities.”

There may be a change in the name of the organization, but the focus of accelerating the technology ecosystem in Sarasota and Manatee counties has not. To foster a vibrant technology industry, the Suncoast Technology Forum will continue to concentrate on supporting technology professionals and their businesses within multiple business sectors, attract and retain top talent and collaborate with schools and universities to develop the highly-skilled workforce the area needs to support high tech growth for the future.

The Suncoast Technology Forum will continue to host its events, but now members will have the opportunity to also attend any of TBTF’s more than 100 high-quality events and participate in TBTF networks such as the CIO/CTO Network, CEO Advisory Forum, Emerging Companies Network, Professional Women’s Network, Sales Executives Network and more.

“If you have thought about expanding your organization into the Tampa market, now is a great time to access more than 450 TBTF members from the seven-county area TBTF serves,” said Curtiss.

About Suncoast Technology Forum
The Suncoast Technology Forum, founded as 82 Degrees Tech in 2005 by a group of local entrepreneurs, professionals and the Sarasota and Manatee economic development organizations, is a professional association whose mission is to accelerate the technology ecosystem in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

About Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Founded in 2000, the Tampa Bay Technology Forum (TBTF) is a professional association whose members work together to make the Bay area a place where technology and innovation thrive. TBTF’s 450+ member organizations represent more than 45,000 employees include technology entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, investors, government representatives, researchers and educators. For more information, visit www.tbtf.org.

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