The Business Strategy & Technology Forum was started in March 2002 by the executive of Blaze Communications.  As a small new technology business owner at the time, Blake attended numerous networking events looking for ways to connect with others.  From his POV, few had strategies specific to helping sole proprietors develop larger networks or profitable partnerships.  In his words back then, "If you were a newbie nobody, no one was there helping you connect.  And if you were a seasoned veteran, you were constantly solicited on the latest trend. Overall, there just seemed to be a lack of win-win-win." 

 

After discussing these validated concerns with respected colleagues,  the  informal professional group from a handful of integrity companies endeavored to create an event focused on making introductions and fostering relationships, offering discussion time as a catalyst to creating win-win strategic partnerships.  The goal was to create a value-added, cost effective, educational networking event for executives who would attend and leave, gaining more the time invested than they expected.  

 

By keeping sponsorship limited and under control, events could be about imparting information and facilitating connections instead of selling products or forum memberships.  With the support of a small number of teammates and loyal sponsors, the Business Strategy & Technology Forum emerged to quality reviews.

 

While much single-handed work went into the detailed development of the successful events, Blake always related that the vision would have not gotten off the group without the generous contributions of high quality speakers and business educators like JOE NEWMAN or BILL CASKEY and others who shared their time and industry wisdom. Or without the quality support of main financial sponsors like MELSERNET.   Attendees always walked away with more than anticipated a few hour seminar could offer.

 

The BS&T Forum had three successful events before the founder and main event developer needed to take some time off for multiple family health issues. Thankfully, that situation didn't last beyond a few years and all three family members have survived their issues.  Little by little Blake is getting back to a normal business life, streamlining his main business services and re-engaging the BS&T Forum mission he started as a way to get reconnected and help others interested in marketing and technology trends to do the same. 

 

For friends who helped us early on and would like to do so again, we encourage you to email Blake. For new friends we invite you to sample the forum and think about becoming a sponsor.  With your support the Forum can continue to grow and help all involved to cutting-edge information, quality relationships and net gain.

 

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