EPIC Toledo Hosts Event to Connect Local IT Talent

On September 2nd nearly 100 IT professionals, from 40+ local companies, gathered for the first ever “Connect IT” event presented by EPIC Toledo at the world headquarters of Fortune 500 company, Owens Corning.

EPIC Toledo is the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional organization whose mission is to connect high-potential emerging leaders to each other and the community.

The event was developed to encourage like-minded IT individuals working in the Toledo Region to connect with others who do the same thing.

Steve Zerby, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Owens Corning, kicked off the event with some insight into IT Leadership at Owens Corning.

Attendees were randomly assigned into groups, followed by breakout sessions on one of five topics: Application Development, Systems Analysis, Project Management, Network Infrastructure, and IT Leadership.

Doug Mallette, Product Manager for HCR ManorCare, said “It was nice to meet IT pros that do the same thing I do, and run into the same issues as well. Going forward the group hopes to meet once a quarter and continue to make valuable connections.”

Attendees were encouraged to use the hashtag “#ToledoIT”, and many tweeted about the event both during and after. 

Tech Toledo whose goal is to connect tech professionals and showcase local noteworthy achievements encouraged their members and participating groups to attend as well.

“A lot of companies in the region, small and large, need Information Technology professionals to run their day-to-day business operations and to create technology to help them innovate. Because technology changes so fast, IT professionals need a community to constantly help them solve immediate problems, develop new skills, and look ahead to important trends.” says Keith Instone, co-founder, Tech Toledo.

“EPIC Toledo’s Connect IT event was great because it helped IT professionals find colleagues who are trying to address similar IT problems (perhaps at another company in the region). We also have a lot of IT talent in the region, but it can be hard to find, and Connect IT helped us discover more of that stellar talent.  EPIC Toledo has been a catalyst and we look forward to having them help us develop, retain and recruit IT talent more in the future.”

EPIC connects young professionals throughout the community on various levels and through different events.

Sara Swisher, Director of EPIC Toledo, explained “EPIC is working to develop and connect leaders for today and tomorrow.  Connect IT is a wonderful way for professionals to network without the typical sales implication that networking conveys.  It’s all about connecting for mutually beneficial outcomes while promoting the tech talent we have in Toledo.”