MGA will be continuing its Section-sponsored Smart Tech industry workshop series in 2017. The Smart Tech events (formerly called Metro Area Workshops) were developed in collaboration with the MGA Strategic Direction and Environmental Assessment Committee (SDEA). Under the direction of SDEA Chair, Murty Polavarapu, these workshops grew out of the committee’s focus on addressing the needs of industry professionals and consistently receive high satisfaction ratings from attendees.

This year we will be piloting a new incentive rebate structure for Sections that sponsor this one-day event. In addition, Sections will receive one-on-one support by our on-staff conference planner, Francesca Mingione, in all event logistics. Our goal is to encourage your Sections to focus on speaker recruitment, local marketing, volunteer engagement, and program development by providing them with financial and staff resources.

MGA would greatly appreciate your help in distributing information about the program to your Sections. Attached is a presentation with complete details and information on how Sections can submit their proposal to host a Smart Tech Workshop. This information is for immediate distribution to all of your Sections, or you may suggest specific Sections that would be best suited to run a Smart Tech Workshop. MGA will be selecting only two proposals for approval in 2017, with hopes to expand the incentive program in 2018. Event planning activities will be expected to start by April 17th, with the Workshops scheduled in early December 2017.

Smart Tech proposals are due to MGA by April 7th.

Submit proposals at http://ieee.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/eperez/smart-tech-call-for-proposals/

Please feel free to direct any of your questions to me, Murty Polavarapu (SDEA Chair) [email protected], or Francesca Mingione (MGA Conference & Event Manager) [email protected].