The 360.Alpha Summit
January 22, 1999
The 360.Alpha Summit at the Four Seasons (Photo: courtesy of Russ Finney)
AUSTIN, TX - The top echelon of Austin industry and community high-tech CEOs and CFOs, managing partners of venture capital and law firms, bank presidents, university officials, and even the Mayor muffled their cell phones and skipped meetings for an entire day to concentrate solely on making Austin a better place. The highly successful 360.Alpha Summit, the first annual issues conference for high-level technology executives and community leaders, is still the buzz in the media and among participants who gathered to share their thoughts, listen to industry leaders and experts, and help develop a roadmap for the future of Austin's high-tech industry and the community.
The 360.Alpha Summit brought together more than 300 invited high-tech execs and other community leaders for the one-day conference, held January 5 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. Co-chairs and event organizers Peter Zandan, Chairman and Founder of IntelliQuest Information Group, Steve Papermaster, Chairman of Powershift Group and Donna Holland, Principal of Holland Rich Marketing & Event Strategy, were very pleased with the Summit's results and have already started planning next year's event.
"We had an incredible turnout of leadership," said Zandan. "We were able to identify the issues that are most important to the industry and the community, and we can now support the steps we must take to get us where we want to be in the future."
"Austin itself is in advanced startup mode," said Papermaster. "This city is facing issues of growth that must be dealt with faster than they ever have before to maintain Austin's quality of life. As a result of the conference, we will identify and support specific action items to ensure that Austin remains a wonderful place to live and do business." An executive summary will be available in several weeks.
The day's dialogue, sometimes heated, covered topics ranging from the city's traffic problems to a lack of collaboration between the high-tech industry and the University of Texas. Panel discussions touched on how to protect the city's environment, avoid urban sprawl and smog, promote alternative transportation systems, develop workforce initiatives, attract and retain good employees, and promote diversity in the high-tech industry. "We'll have to manage our growth or be consumed by it," said Tom Meredith, CFO of Dell Computer Corporation.
Agenda Covers Next Steps in the City's Evolution
The conference's agenda centered around four major panel discussions on critical issues identified by the advisory board and by participants. Tom Meredith led a discussion of the industry's growth and the experiences of more mature technology communities. Jimmy Treybig, the founder of Tandem Computers, led a panel discussion on retaining and recruiting talent in Austin. Lee Walker, Chairman of the Board of Capital Metro and former President of Dell Computer Corporation, led a discussion of community infrastructure, transportation, and environmental issues. Jeff Sandefer, President of Sandefer Capital Partners, led a heated debate on the high-tech industry's relationship with the University of Texas.
Informal surveys were taken on a number of topics throughout the day through IRIS, a quick-response voting mechanism. When asked if they support alternative transportation and mobility measures to reduce sprawl and smog, 89 percent responded yes. When asked if they supported measures to protect and conserve water supply, 96 percent said yes.
Eighty-two percent expressed interest in starting more interaction with schools, counselors, educators, and administrators on education and workforce development issues, and 67 percent said they would you consider moving or growing their businesses in downtown Austin to increase density for effective transportation system and a livable community.
"The surveys showed us just to what level the high-tech community really cares about these issues and their willingness to participate in affecting change for the good of the community at large," said Zandan.
Dell's Tom Meredith speaking as a Panelist (Photo: courtesy of Russ Finney)
Top Keynote Speakers and Panelists
Keynote speakers at the conference were Austin Mayor Kirk Watson; Roger McNamee, General Partner of Integral Capital Partners; Ian Stuart, Partner of Colliers International's West Coast Advisory Group; and author and Reason Editor Virginia Postrel.
Distinguished panelists included Michael Dell, CEO, Dell Computer Corporation; William F. Miller, Professor Emeritus of the Stanford School of Business; University of Texas President Larry Faulkner; Karen Rae, General Manager of Capital Metro; and Robin Rather, President of Reality Research and Chairman of the Board of the Save Our Springs Alliance, among others.
Event sponsors included Hambrecht & Quist; Baker & Botts, L.L.P.; Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P.; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Vignette; Zilliant; Powershift Group; Austin Ventures; Gunderson Dettmer, L.L.P.; Norwest Bank; KVUE-TV; and Holland Rich Marketing and Event Strategy.
The 360.Alpha Summit was the first in a series of annual conferences for high-level executives. It is a non-profit endeavor solely designed to enhance and strengthen Austin's technology community, build relationships with community and state leaders, and address issues that are critical to the industry's future.
