British Columbia Technology Industry Association
Encyclopedia
The British Columbia Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) is a not-for-profit member-funded trade association
in British Columbia
, Canada
, which promotes the technology
industry in the province. The technology industry in BC has been growing steadily since the late 1990s and constituted 5.9% of British Columbia's economic output in 2007.
The BCTIA has a membership base of over 2,100 companies ranging from start-ups to established organizations, and spanning a variety of technology-related sectors including education
, hardware
, software, life sciences, manufacturing
, natural resources
, web technology and green energy. The BCTIA facilitates partnerships and programs within the BC technology industry, as well as advocating on behalf of association members and the industry as a whole.
, BC Chapter (ITAC-BC). Over the years, the BCTIA has provided opportunities for professional development, delivered industry-focused events and programs, and exerted political influence on the industry’s behalf, as well as working with the BC government and BC universities to double the number of students graduating in the fields of computing sciences and computer and electrical engineering.
Over the years, the BCTIA has led a number of initiatives designed to support the growth of BC’s technology industry. In 2004, it launched the Integrated Technology Initiative (ITI), a coalition of BC science and technology stakeholders led by the BCTIA that was involved in analyzing and consolidating existing research to develop a competitive strategy for BC’s science and technology industry. In 2006, the BCTIA partnered with the not-for-profit British Columbia Regional Science & Technology Network (BCRSTN) to facilitate collaboration, innovation, and commercialization of research.
In June 2007, the BCTIA joined forces with the Power Technology Alliance to support the growth of the clean technology
industry in British Columbia, which comprises more than 200 companies working to develop clean, green energy and renewable energy sources and services. To this end, the BCTIA has established a Clean Energy Technology Program and a Clean Tech Industry Advisory Group to ensure that these companies have the capital, human resources, and access to markets they need to grow and prosper.
In October 2007, Dr. Pascal Spothelfer, former president and CEO of Spectrum Signal Processing, replaced Rob Cruickshank as president and CEO of the BCTIA.
and Labour Market Development to create a technology action plan for British Columbia. In addition, the BCTIA hosts a number of regular events, including CTO Roundtables, Technology Forums, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Bootcamps, and the annual Technology Impact (TIA) Awards, as well as working to develop and recruit talent through its TechTalent BC initiatives
, Strangeloop Networks
, Business Objects, and EQO
Communications.
The BCTIA also conducts various industry studies to generate a greater understanding of BC’s technology industry. These studies enable industry organizations to offer more targeted industry development campaigns and strategic corporate growth programs. One such study, the 2007 TechTalentBC Labour Demand survey, was undertaken with the assistance of the Information and Communications Technology Council
. This study sought information regarding difficulties companies have in attracting top talent and the strategies they use to increase their headcounts.
, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, PMC-Sierra
, Bell Mobility
, Electronic Arts
(Canada) Inc., IBM
Canada, Maximizer Software
, the Microsoft
Canada Development Centre, Nokia
, Sony Canada
, Sun Microsystems
, Telus
, and Ballard Power Systems
.
BCTIA members also include research and development organizations such as the National Research Council (Canada), government organizations such as the BC Innovation Council
and Industry Canada
, non-profit educational centres such as TELUS World of Science
(formerly Science World), worldwide technology organizations such as the Society for Technical Communication
, and professional services firms that serve the technology industry such as PricewaterhouseCoopers
.
In addition, BCTIA membership includes universities and university offices such as the British Columbia Institute of Technology
, the University of British Columbia
University-Industry Liaison Office, Douglas College
, and the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design
.
Trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, which promotes the technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
industry in the province. The technology industry in BC has been growing steadily since the late 1990s and constituted 5.9% of British Columbia's economic output in 2007.
The BCTIA has a membership base of over 2,100 companies ranging from start-ups to established organizations, and spanning a variety of technology-related sectors including education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
, software, life sciences, manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
, natural resources
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
, web technology and green energy. The BCTIA facilitates partnerships and programs within the BC technology industry, as well as advocating on behalf of association members and the industry as a whole.
History
The BCTIA was incorporated in 1993 with the amalgamation of the Electronic Manufacturers' Association of British Columbia (EMABC) and the Information Technology Association of CanadaInformation Technology Association of Canada
Information Technology Association of Canada is an advocacy group representing members of Canada's information and communications technologies industry....
, BC Chapter (ITAC-BC). Over the years, the BCTIA has provided opportunities for professional development, delivered industry-focused events and programs, and exerted political influence on the industry’s behalf, as well as working with the BC government and BC universities to double the number of students graduating in the fields of computing sciences and computer and electrical engineering.
Over the years, the BCTIA has led a number of initiatives designed to support the growth of BC’s technology industry. In 2004, it launched the Integrated Technology Initiative (ITI), a coalition of BC science and technology stakeholders led by the BCTIA that was involved in analyzing and consolidating existing research to develop a competitive strategy for BC’s science and technology industry. In 2006, the BCTIA partnered with the not-for-profit British Columbia Regional Science & Technology Network (BCRSTN) to facilitate collaboration, innovation, and commercialization of research.
In June 2007, the BCTIA joined forces with the Power Technology Alliance to support the growth of the clean technology
Clean technology
Clean technology includes recycling, renewable energy , information technology, green transportation, electric motors, green chemistry, lighting, Greywater, and many other appliances that are now more energy efficient. It is a means to create electricity and fuels, with a smaller environmental...
industry in British Columbia, which comprises more than 200 companies working to develop clean, green energy and renewable energy sources and services. To this end, the BCTIA has established a Clean Energy Technology Program and a Clean Tech Industry Advisory Group to ensure that these companies have the capital, human resources, and access to markets they need to grow and prosper.
In October 2007, Dr. Pascal Spothelfer, former president and CEO of Spectrum Signal Processing, replaced Rob Cruickshank as president and CEO of the BCTIA.
Current activities
The BCTIA has been working with BC’s Ministry of Advanced EducationMinistry of Advanced Education
Alberta Advanced Education and Technology is a ministry in the Executive Council of the Canadian province of Alberta. The ministry is usually responsible for all post-secondary institutions in their respective jurisdictions.-External links:* *...
and Labour Market Development to create a technology action plan for British Columbia. In addition, the BCTIA hosts a number of regular events, including CTO Roundtables, Technology Forums, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) Bootcamps, and the annual Technology Impact (TIA) Awards, as well as working to develop and recruit talent through its TechTalent BC initiatives
Technology Impact Awards
The annual BC Technology Impact Awards were founded by the BCTIA in 1994. There are three categories of TIA awards: Technology Awards, Company Awards, and Personal Recognition Awards. To participate in the TIA awards, a technology company must have its head office based in British Columbia or have established a significant operating division complete with senior management in the province. TIA winners benefit through media recognition and the opportunity to connect with potential investors, advisors, mentors, and partners. TIA winners in recent years have included AbeBooksAbebooks
AbeBooks is an online marketplace for books. Most books listed are used, many are rare or out-of-print, and a growing number are new books. The company is based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, with offices in Düsseldorf, Germany, and in the US. It was incorporated in 1995 and launched its...
, Strangeloop Networks
Strangeloop Networks
Strangeloop Networks Inc is a company that develops front-end website optimization technology. The company's flagship product is the Strangeloop Site Optimizer, technology that automatically streamlines web page HTML code and resources, allowing pages to render faster at the user's browser level...
, Business Objects, and EQO
EQO
EQO is a downloadable mobile application that brings free instant messaging, low-cost mobile VoIP and free or low-cost text messaging to mobile phones from manufacturers such as Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, LG, BlackBerry and HTC...
Communications.
TechTalentBC
The BCTIA takes an active role in developing local talent and recruiting skilled technology workers through a number of initiatives, including awarding scholarships to BC students who plan to make their careers in science and technology, and offering foreign recruitment workshops and other programs to help fill the 10,000 BC job openings in technology and related fields projected for 2008 alone .The BCTIA also conducts various industry studies to generate a greater understanding of BC’s technology industry. These studies enable industry organizations to offer more targeted industry development campaigns and strategic corporate growth programs. One such study, the 2007 TechTalentBC Labour Demand survey, was undertaken with the assistance of the Information and Communications Technology Council
Information and Communications Technology Council
The Information and Communications Technology Council is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1992 as the Software Human Resources Council...
. This study sought information regarding difficulties companies have in attracting top talent and the strategies they use to increase their headcounts.
Members
High-profile members of the BCTIA include companies such as Sierra WirelessSierra Wireless
Sierra Wireless is a wireless communications equipment designer and manufacturer, founded in 1993 and currently headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada....
, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates, PMC-Sierra
PMC-Sierra
PMC-Sierra is a fabless semiconductor company which develops and sells devices into the communications, storage, printing, and embedded computing marketplaces.-Corporate history:...
, Bell Mobility
Bell Mobility
Bell Mobility is a CDMA and HSPA+ based wireless network and the division of Bell Canada which sells wireless services in Canada...
, Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
(Canada) Inc., IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
Canada, Maximizer Software
Maximizer software
-Overview:Maximizer Software provides customer relationship management CRM software for small and medium businesses and divisions of large enterprises through mobile devices, online or the desktop....
, the Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Canada Development Centre, Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
, Sony Canada
Sony Canada
Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan. Sony provides products that include Blu-ray players, BRAVIA televisions, Cyber-shot digital cameras, Handycam Camcorders, VAIO computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video...
, Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982...
, Telus
TELUS
Telus is a national telecommunications company in Canada that provides a wide range of telecommunications products and services including internet access, voice, entertainment, video, and satellite television. The company is based in Burnaby, British Columbia, part of Greater Vancouver...
, and Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems , located in Burnaby, British Columbia -- a suburb of Vancouver -- is a company that designs, develops, and manufactures zero emission proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells. This company has made a bus that uses only hydrogen fuel cells. These fuel cells combine hydrogen and...
.
BCTIA members also include research and development organizations such as the National Research Council (Canada), government organizations such as the BC Innovation Council
BC Innovation Council
The BC Innovation Council is a Crown Agency of the provincial government of British Columbia, Canada...
and Industry Canada
Industry Canada
Industry Canada is the department of the Government of Canada with responsibility for regional economic development, investment, and innovation/research and development. The department employs 6104 FTEs across Canada....
, non-profit educational centres such as TELUS World of Science
TELUS World of Science
Telus World of Science is a "brand" for a number of science centre, planetarium, and space centre facilities in Canada sponsored by Telus, a Canadian telecommunications company...
(formerly Science World), worldwide technology organizations such as the Society for Technical Communication
Society for Technical Communication
The Society for Technical Communication is a professional society for the advancement of the theory and practice of technical communication.-Overview:...
, and professional services firms that serve the technology industry such as PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers
PricewaterhouseCoopers is a global professional services firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms....
.
In addition, BCTIA membership includes universities and university offices such as the British Columbia Institute of Technology
British Columbia Institute of Technology
The British Columbia Institute of Technology , is a public, coeducational, academic institution of higher education in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. The polytechnic has five campuses located in the Metro Vancouver region, with the main campus in Burnaby...
, the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
University-Industry Liaison Office, Douglas College
Douglas College
Established in 1970, Douglas College is one of the largest public colleges in British Columbia, Canada serving 14,000 credit students, 9,000 continuing education students and 1,000 international students each year.-Programs:...
, and the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design
Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design
Emily Carr University of Art and Design is a public post-secondary University located on Granville Island in Vancouver, BC, Canada...
.