July 2018 Chairman Newsletter

by Peter Cimino on Thursday, July 5th, 2018

It has been two months since we celebrated the Best in Technology - the 2018 Buffalo Emerging Technology Awards & Showcase (BETAS) and we are still receiving accolades for a wonderful event! That is my initial response when I look back at our 2018 Annual BETAS held May 4th at RiverWorks. The Technology Showcase drew more than 550 visitors and over 400 joined us for the Awards dinner. Another amazing program put together by our dedicated BETAS Committee and Board recognizing the Best in Technology for 2017-2018!

First, I need to thank and recognize those that made the BETAS a resounding success: our Chair of the BETAS Committee: Peter Ronca, Shatter I.T.; followed by Kelly Flicinski, 716 Marketing; Megan Wagner, MW Marcom; Chi Desai, IVR Technology Group; Sam Marrazzo, BNMC; Christine Carr, Mission Ignite/Computers for Children; Amy Gordon, Ronco Communications; Tim Finney, Alcott HR; Jennifer Rittling and John Indelicato and our wonderful Director of Administration - Jeanne Hellert.

Secondly, I would like to thank our Gold and Silver Sponsors for making this year's event a success:

Gold Sponsors: BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, LA Cyber, Bond, Schoeneck & King, Shatter I.T., Lume, 716 Marketing, Buffalo Business First, 360 PSG, AT&T, Ronco Communications, and Full Circle Studios.

Silver Sponsors: Colocrossing, MW Marcom, Sedara, Allegra Marketing Print Mail, Synacor, Rich Products, Sinatra & Company Management, Bonadio Group.

This year the BETAS featured a Robot Competition "Mayhem in May" during our Tech Showcase. Approximately 100 High School students and their respective teams competed in a number of Robot challenges to the amazement of the crowds! The First Tech Challenge at Riverworks was realized with the help of Jon Kiddy from the Nichols School, who brought together nine teams from seven schools.

Robot Competition Sponsors: Sunnking, Mission Ignite, Veraview, BNMC, and AT&T

The BETAS - Buffalo Emerging Technology Awards and Showcase celebrates the Best in WNY Technology and we would like to congratulate the following 2018 Winners:

Best Student in Technology: Megha Goyal, UB
Best Cyber Culture:19 Ideas
Best Emerging Tech Company: 3AM Innovations
Best Innovation in Mfg.: UltraCell Insulation
Best Team - Creative Services: 19 Ideas
Best Team - NFP/Education:Jacobs Institute - Engineering Team
Best Team - Service Industries: M&T Bank
Best Team - Tech Services: IVR Technology Group
Best Use of Digital Marketing:Mental Health Association of Erie County
Entrepreneur of the Year: Akash Desai - IVR Technology Group
Women in Tech Award: Kathleen Murphy, University at Buffalo
IT Leader of the Year: Michael Moskal - CUBRC 
Chairman's Community Award: AT&T

At this time, I would like to introduce you to our New incoming Chair of Infotech WNY effective as of June 7th, 2018. He is no stranger to Infotech and our members, Peter Cimino, Director of IT - Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors. I've been fortunate to have an amazing group of talented Board Members and the past two years just flew by!

Please check our website for upcoming events and have a safe and wonderful summer.

Upcoming Events for our members to attend or get involved:

Serious Games Conference - Tuesday July 17 - 19th - Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Building. https://www.seriousplay-ny.com/

If you want to be more involved or explore one of our many committees, please reach out to myself or any of our Board Members. Our contact information is located on our website - www.infotechwny.com/board-of-directors

Patrick Finucane
Outgoing Chair InfoTech WNY

IT WNY GOLD Sponsors

  • As Upstate New York’s largest member services organization, AAA Western and Central New York provides nearly 900,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive related services. Since its founding in 1900, AAA has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Visit AAA at www.AAA.com.

  • 360PSG

    Making Web Development More Accessible To You.

    Our mission is to provide web solutions in such a way that small and mid-size companies have an affordable option, without sacrificing the quality and expertise that is usually associated with large, diverse and expensive agencies.


  • Advance2000 is a full-service managed IT service provider specializing in Private Cloud Computing. From our high performance Cloud Computing to our comprehensive IT solutions, Advance2000 is renowned for streamlining customer’s cumbersome IT infrastructure while helping them optimize their business performance.

  • At AT&T, we’re bringing it all together. We’re helping people connect with advanced mobile services, next-generation TV, high-speed Internet services and smart solutions for businesses.

    Fast, highly secure and mobile connectivity – to everything on the Internet, everywhere, at every moment and on every device – is what drives us at AT&T.

     

  • We strive to provide better healthcare to our members, offer greater value to our customers, and improve the health of our communities.

  •  

    At M&T Tech, we’re a team of makers, doers, and builders working to create the most advanced technology solutions in banking.  We’re not your stereotypical suit and tie bankers: we’re an innovative team of leading tech experts, pushing boundaries, and taking risks. Join us and be part of something new as we build tomorrow’s bank today.

  • Buffalo Business First

    View Daily Local Business News, Resources & more in Buffalo, New York.


  • The Beckage Firm, PLLC is an exclusive law firm that counsels select organizations and high-net-worth individuals on incident response, innovation, business strategy, crisis preparedness, crisis management, and other tech and data security and privacy matters.

  • Rich Products