Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul University and Illinois Technology Association Announce Newly Formed Education Partnership

Business Wire, Sept 30, 2008

Newly formed partnership will create additional educational opportunities for ITA members.

CHICAGO -- The Coleman Entrepreneurship Center and the Illinois Technology Association (ITA) have announced a new partnership in which the Coleman Center will provide quarterly educational events for ITA members to attend with a focus on common strategic issues faced by owners of technology firms.

The first event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2008 from 8-11:30am at TechNexus, the premier technology collaboration facility in Illinois. The event "Advisory Boards: Building the Right Team of Professional Expertise" will feature a panel discussion with entrepreneurs and technology firm advisory board members who together will discuss the importance and value of advisory boards in the launch and growth of new companies.

"The Illinois technology community is strong and growing, and the ITA is always uncovering new ways to support that growth. The ITA is excited to partner with the Coleman Center to deliver new educational opportunities for our members while focusing on their priorities as technology leaders and entrepreneurs," said Fred Hoch, President of the Illinois Technology Association. "The TechNexus is a great venue for Coleman Center events, with its convenient location and ability to accommodate large groups for technology-focused conferences."

"We are very excited about this partnership with the ITA, and look forward to holding educational events specifically for ITA members with a focus on technology. The ITA mission of helping grow the number of successful ventures created around information technology, combined with the Coleman Center's mission to equip entrepreneurs and business owners with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful, makes this partnership a natural fit for both organizations," said Raman Chadha, Executive Director of the Coleman Center.

About the Coleman Center

The Coleman Center is an outreach center at DePaul University that delivers consulting services and educational programs to entrepreneurs around Chicago. It holds a variety of events that are designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners increase their knowledge so they can move their companies to the next stage of development. ITA represents the interests of a diverse membership of more than 500 companies in Illinois that create, deploy and utilize information technology as a core part of their organization. ITA is focused on building and developing the Illinois technology community through collaboration.

About the Illinois Technology Association

The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) represents the interests of a diverse membership of more than 500 companies in Illinois that create, deploy and utilize information technology as a core part of their organization. By connecting members with industry peers and participants, providing the latest strategic information, market research and critical market insight and by promoting key thought leaders to raise visibility and gain a greater market awareness and presence, ITA is focused on building and developing the Illinois technology community through collaboration. Additional information is available at illinoistech.org.

About TechNexus

TechNexus, located at 200 S. Wacker Dr. in Chicago, is the physical embodiment of the Illinois technology community. It was developed, in partnership, by FastRoot and the Illinois Technology Association (ITA) to serve as a 'clubhouse' and bring IT professionals together to foster relationships and promote a sense of community.

Anyone interested in receiving additional information or registering for the upcoming Coleman Center events at the ITA should visit cec.depaul.edu, or call the Coleman Center at 312.362.8625.