TECNA Summer Conference 2024
August 7-9, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Get Connected
This annual conference for technology council and association staff is a great opportunity to connect, learn and share with your counterparts from across the US and Canada.
The 2024 TECNA Summer Conference is hosted by TECNA Member, Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MTLC). This year, experience Boston, a unique blend of historical charm and innovative spirit.
Insights. Connections. Expertise.
This conference will deliver best practices and impactful information and will include tours of Boston’s innovation tech scene. The 2024 Summer Conference will run throughout 2+ days with 3 simultaneous tracks focusing on Operations & Deliverables, Workforce, and Serving Startups/Entrepreneurs. The agenda will be posted soon.
Featured Speaker
Chris Heivly, author, “Build the Fort: The Startup Community Builder’s Field Guide.”
Chris Heivly is a life-long entrepreneur and multifaceted investor who spent forty years working as, for, and with entrepreneurs. Prior to becoming a successful startup community builder and consultant, Chris co-founded MapQuest—which sold to AOL for $1.2 billion. He currently serves as a managing director of The Startup Factory. Heivly’s book, “Build the Fort: The Startup Community’s Field Guide” helps forward-thinking leaders and builders understand and support their community’s specific needs in supporting a thriving, vibrant startup ecosystem. Attendees will also receive a copy of “Build the Fort: The Startup Community Builder’s Field Guide.”
Operations & Deliverables
- Utilizing AI software/marketing tools for organizations to improve efficiencies ultimately serving members and clients better.
- How are organizations funded? Dues structure? Fee structure? Bundled services? Sustainable revenue sources?
- Utilizing data storytelling in talking about your organization, who do you sell your organization to potential members, clients, sponsors, partners? What are your data baked talking points?
- How can you get your board of directors/advisors more engaged?
- How to know your membership? What are some best practices in tracking engagement?
- Efficiencies in event planning and execution: pricing, venue negotiation, staffing/volunteers, content/speaker acquisition.
Workforce
- Working with member/client companies: How do you get your foot in the door to talk about programs? How do you navigate companies internally to get to the right person to discuss helpful workforce programs?
- The pitch: Once you’re in the door at a company, how are you best heard by the right people? How to sell “The Why” for pathways, initiatives, focusing on serving the workforce.
- AI and the workforce: How to support the changing workforce through technology needs and transitions in training.
- Funding that supports regional workforce efforts – what are the best practices to secure and maintain funding - both government and private – and execute against grant requirements?
- DEI – what are others doing to support regional workforce efforts and members/clients?
Serving Startups/Entrepreneurs
- Building the Fort – In addition to his keynote, Chris Heivly will also be facilitating a breakout on the same topic
- Creative ways to expose your members/clients to new markets in other parts of the world.
- How do organizations know their role in the marketplace? Identifying your regional niche in your region serving entrepreneurs and startups.
- Best practices in supporting entrepreneurs: high impact with low effort
- Connecting startups to funders: Best Practices on what others are doing.
If you are interested in speaking on a panel or sharing a best practice on one of these topics, please email Alina at ahardy@tecna.org to express your interest.
Countdown to the 2024 TECNA Summer Conference
What does my registration include?
- Access to TECNA Summer Conference sessions (some sessions may be for TECNA Members only)
- Connections, learning and networking with leaders from technology councils, associations and incubators from across North America
Registration Costs
Summer Conference Registration excludes travel expenses, hotel stay and Wednesday dinner.
Member Registration
(for TECNA Member Organizations in Good Standing)
TECNA Member Early Bird: $375 USD/person (Extended through April 15)
TECNA Member Registration: $500 USD/person
Non-Member Registration
Non-TECNA Member Early Bird: $550 USD/person (Extended through April 15)
Cost: $750 USD/person
Registration Deadline: Friday, July 19, 2024
Cancellation Policy
You may request to cancel your registration in writing for a full refund, up to July 19, 2024. Cancellation requests after July 19, 2024, may not receive a refund. When you register for this event, you agree to these terms.
Hotel - Room Block Deadline July 16
TECNA secured a block of rooms at The Westin Copley Place, Boston - 10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, 02116. The Westin Copley Place Room Block Rate: $299 USD/night + taxes & hotel fees and is available through Tuesday, July 16, 2024, or until the block is filled.
2024 TECNA Summer Conference Schedule*
2024 TECNA Summer Conference in Boston from August 7-9, 2024!
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
TECNA Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
1:30 – 5:30pm – Summer Conference Begins with afternoon programming sessions
Westin Copley Place6:30pm – TECNA Innovation Awards
Westin Copley Place
Thursday, August 8, 2024
9:00am – 5:00pm - Summer Conference programming sessions
Dinner on Own
Friday, August 9, 2024
Morning – 1:00pm - Tech Tours throughout Boston - Details Coming Soon
*Schedule subject to change
See photos from the 2023 Summer Conference in Seattle below
TECNA Innovation Awards
We will celebrate the 6th annual TECNA Innovation Awards in 2024 at the Summer Conference. The 2024 awards recognize TECNA member staff for their outstanding work completed with a milestone in 2023 on behalf of their tech association or council.
Winners will be recognized at the TECNA Summer Conference held August 7-19, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, at a reception held Wednesday Evening.
#techcouncils #tecna2024 #tecnainnovationawards
Learn More and Nominate Your Organization!
Deadline to apply: Friday, May 17, 2024.
About Boston
Summer is a great time to explore Boston. Affectionately known as "America's Walking City," you can stroll the city's sidewalks, wander its abundance of green parks, or just people-watch at one of the many outdoor cafés.
Discover Boston’s vibrant culture while strolling historic streets through diverse neighborhoods. The unique personality of each neighborhood can be found in the cuisine of the restaurants and in the style of the shops, galleries and open markets and above all, in its people.
A town of champions, Bostonian’s are always finding new ways to stay active. A three-mile trail runs along the Charles River offering a scenic route for walking, running, and biking. Bike lanes hug the street and the Hubway, a bike sharing system, provides more than 1,500 bikes at 155 stations to rent throughout the Greater Boston Area. Canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are all available along the Charles River.
Surrounded by natural beauty, Boston’s 48 square miles are encircled by a bustling harbor, tranquil coastline and a strand of green parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted known as the Emerald Necklace. Two of the parks, the Boston Common and the Public Garden are back to back between the Back Bay and Downtown neighborhoods in the heart of the city.
Thank you to our generous Sponsor Partners!
Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities?
The TECNA Summer Conference is only possible because of our generous partner sponsors. Contact us to request sponsorship information.