Can’t make it to the Pittsburgh Technology Council / Innovation Works Public Policy Forum detailing President Obama’s “Innovation Strategy” on Thursday, November 19 fro 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.? No worries. You can watch it live, right here (http://vivolive.com/innovationworks/geography-of-innovation.)

The Pittsburgh Technology Council and Innovation Works are teaming up to convene a presentation and discussion about the nature and direction of President Obama’s recently announced Innovation Agenda. As special guest speakers, we will be hosting Ed Paisley and Jonathan Sallet, authors of Geography of Innovation: The Federal Government and the Growth of Regional Innovation Clusters.

These influential authors will discuss the role of the U.S. Economic Development Administration in coordinating innovation policies with the White House and the potential impact of those policies on Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia.

Don’t miss what promises to be an informative and thought provoking discussion of America’s emerging innovation strategy. Watch it right here.

Just last week, the Pittsburgh SEO Group, led by the guys at Eyeflow Internet Marketing, drew more than 40 people to the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Training Room. Eyeflow’s Chris Hornak and Phil Laboon led a lively presentation on tips and techniques to increase your search engine optimization (SEO) and make those blessed conversions.

Best part, is that you didn’t have to be a technical person to walk away with ideas. Phil and Chris are super open with their knowledge and they invite other SEO geniuses particpate and/or present. They also encourage anyone with an interest in SEO to stop by future events.

Check out some notes on the presentation right here. It’s completely worth your time to give it a quick read and ponder your SEO efforts.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council released its State of the Industry Report for 2009 this fall, which found that several southwestern Pennsylvania technology industry clusters have made considerable strides in growth, particularly with respect to total annual payroll.

The report, which covers the 13-county southwestern Pennsylvania region, examines the role that the technology industry clusters and other key factors play in southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy. It documents the number of companies, total employment, total annual payroll and average wages for six main technology industry clusters, including information technology, advanced materials, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, environmental technology and energy technology, which represents a new industry category for this year’s report.

According to the report, the 13-county southwestern Pennsylvania region has 8,438 technology companies that employ more than 248,000 with a total annual payroll in excess of $14.5 billion. These companies represent 11.2 percent of all companies in the region, yet they employ 19.4 percent of the region’s workforce. In addition, regional technology industries’ total annual payroll represents 27.5 percent of the total payroll for the region, indicating that technology jobs do indeed pay higher than the average wage.

The report also notes that health services represents a significant portion of the life sciences industry cluster, with more than 2,900 establishments and employing more than 105,000. The health services subcluster has a total annual payroll of $5.5 billion. Check out the complete report right here.

Be sure to tune in to TechVibe Radio on Tuesday, Nov. 17,  from 2-5 p.m., on 1360 AM WMNY as the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo interview the region’s coolest tech companies and the personalities behind them.

The show will include:

• Wellspring Worldwide
• Science Communications
• Eyeflow Internet Marketing
• Wombat Security Solutions

Keep your dial tuned to TechVibe radio on these Tuesdays:  Dec. 1 and 15 and Jan. 5 and 19  from 2 to 5 p.m. to stay on top of Pittsburgh’s tech scene.

Lacking an AM/FM radio? No worries, stream the show right here or listen on the phone at 724-898-WMNY (9669)

Be sure to tune in to TechVibe Radio Today (Nov.3) from 2-5 p.m. on AM 1360 WMNY as the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo interview the region’s coolest tech companies and the personalities behind them.

Today’s show will include:

• The Penn State Center
• ATRP Solutions
• ClearCount
• Pennsylvania Business Technology Conference

Keep your dial tuned to TechVibe radio on these Tuesdays: Nov. 17; Dec. 1 and 15; and Jan. 5 and 19  from 2 to 5 p.m. to stay on top of Pittsburgh’s tech scene.

Lacking an AM/FM radio? No worries, stream the show right here or listen on the phone at 724-898-WMNY (9669)

Come and network with some of the best up and coming technology companies from around southwest Pennsylvania. Enjoy hors d’oeuvre and wine at this exciting networking event.

Join us at: 428 S. 27th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 (formerly the Ann Taylor clothing store across from Cheesecake Factory)

November 3rd, 2009 | 5:00PM – 7:30PM

Presented by: Greater Oakland KIZ, Pittsburgh Central KIZ, Beaver KIZ

RSVP by e-mail or phone to: Justin Driscoll, Pittsburgh Technology Council 
jdriscoll@pghtech.org| 412.918.4281

By all means, last night’s Tech 50 Awards gala was a smash hit. If you couldn’t make it, you missed a ton of show tunes and positive energy. Here’s a quick run down of the winners:

• Universal Electric Corp. — Advanced Manufacturing
• Bright Innovation — Art + Technology
• BPL Global — Green Technology
• ANSYS — High Rise
• Vivisimo — Information Technology
• Net Health Systems — Life Sciences
• Bossa Nova Robotics — Rising Star
• Guru.com — Service Provider
• Keith Schaefer — CEO of the Year

Get all of the details right here.

It’s the biggest night of the year for local technology companies as the Pittsburgh Technology Council counts down to the 2009 Tech 50 Awards. We’ve got nearly 600 people signed up and there’s still room for even more. Don’t miss a night to celebrate the success of the region’s fastest-moving technology companies while hob-nobing with the who’s who of the industry. We’ve got a new location at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with a super-fun Cabaret theme. It’s going to be a fast-paced event with a few surprises along the way. Get more details right here.

It’s Technology Tuesday on Pittsburgh Business Radio 1360 AM WMNY as TechVibe Radio takes over the studio from 3-6 p.m. for an afternoon of interviews and profiles of tech companies and the people who make them tick.

Hosts Jonathan Kersting and Audrey Russo of the Pittsburgh Technology Council have a cavalcade of stars lined up, including:

• Markowitz Communications
• KIT Solutions
• I Heart PGH
• AlphaLabs
• UK in the USA

Tune in and learn something new. Don’t have access to a radio? There’s no excuse, stream it right here and hog up all of your office’s bandwidth. It’ll be worth it.

Fall is turning out to bequite busy here at the Pittsburgh Technology Council. We’re gearing up for Michael Baker President and CEO Bradley L. Mallory to speak at our next Breakfast Briefing on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Rivers Club.

He’ll present “Transportation Infrastructure: A Problem in Search of Principles,” to examine the current state of the nation’s transportation infrastructure and how it is funded and maintained while proposing that paradigm shifts in policy and legislative thinking are required to create a safer, more efficient and reliable US transportation system that leverages innovative technologies to help achieve those goals.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Michael Baker and network with fellow Council members. Get more details right here.