SHREVEPORT, La. — The Greater Shreveport Chamber has launched Greater Shreveport Tech Connect, an initiative aimed at connecting technology professionals, employers and educators and supporting the technology sector along North Louisiana’s Interstate 20 corridor.
The initiative builds on TechBy20, a technology-focused program of the North Louisiana Economic Partnership and BRF that brought together employers, universities and other organizations to support development of the region’s technology workforce.
Tech Connect will operate under the Chamber’s Business Development Connection with a formal governance structure and expanded programming. Its work will focus on networking, continuing education and peer engagement for technology professionals and employers.
“The Chamber’s job is to make sure the businesses driving our economy forward have the room and the resources to grow,” Greater Shreveport Chamber President Tim Magner said. “Technology is doing that here — has been quietly for years — and it deserved a real home.”
Initial programming will include Greater Shreveport Tech Connect Mixers, a Bites with Byte lunch-and-learn series focused on technology topics and a CIO Council designed to facilitate interaction among technology leaders across industries.
TechBy20 previously worked with companies and organizations including AT&T, Lumen, GDIT, Praeses, Vaco and area universities. The new initiative is intended to carry that network forward while expanding its activities.
“North Louisiana has quietly built a real technology sector, from cybersecurity work tied to the Cyber Innovation Center and Barksdale Air Force Base to a growing base of software and telecom employers,” said Mack Slaughter, chair of the Greater Shreveport Tech Connect Executive Committee. “Tech Connect gives that community a home and a clear plan to grow.”
The Chamber said additional details about Tech Connect programs will be announced in the coming weeks.