Please join the TAO and Northwest Natural Gas for a barbecue lunch and a panel discussion with three of the most significant Cloud Platform Providers:

• Microsoft Azure
• Amazon Web Services
• Salesforce.com’s Force Platform

These three providers will present brief overviews of their Cloud Platform solutions, how companies are leveraging these to extend their infrastructure, and how the differentiate their offering. They’ll then face an open Q and A from the TAO moderator and audience.

Please register here.

Global companies are closely eyeing the opportunity in the now-developing and popular smart grid market. Currently, the U.S. is the hot spot for smart grid development and is also attracting Asian companies from Japan, China and Korea, who are interested in deploying their smart grid technologies in the U.S. However, a majority of the U.S.-based smart grid technology companies in this market are unaware of the opportunities outside of the U.S.

This seminar will off er opportunities to learn what is happening in the smart grid market in Japan and the U.S. Furthermore, in this seminar you will learn ideas on how Japanese and U.S. smart grid companies could complement each other to grow the market together.

The general difference in the current implementation of the smart grid in Japan and the U.S. is that the U.S. seems more business-focused, aiming to reduce energy costs and develop infrastructure, while Japan seems more society-focused, seeking to reduce carbon emissions as a whole. Japan already has a reliable grid and is pushing for advanced integrated control including demand-side to be ready for intermittent renewable energy sources. In the United States, however, there’s a need for highly reliable transmission and distribution networks.

Join us for an opportunity to advance a close working relationship between Japan and the U.S. to develop and deploy the smart grid in each nation.

On behalf of the Software Association of Oregon, you are invited to attend the CIO/IT Manager's Forum for a BBQ and a lively discussion of Vendor selection: local, regional, national or international. Please join the round table discussion of what works best for your organization, does the project matter? what's your driving force? cost, speed, or quality?

Nearly one in ten Oregonians is searching for work. Highly talented people across the state are having difficulty finding employment commensurate with their skills. Now more than ever, job-seekers need to differentiate themselves from the crowd.

  This special panel brings together executives, staffing professionals, and visionaries from companies that continue to grow despite downward economic pressures. They'll present success stories, strategies, and best practices from a variety of vantage points. The MSIG hopes to provide a handful of valuable techniques to help attendees understand resume, interview, and job search strategies from the perspective of decision-makers.

  You'll leave this panel understanding how to better market yourself during these difficult times.

  #SAOpdx #MSIG #employment

Learn how to build long term relationships with your stakeholders and peers while enjoying a midsummer BBQ and a beautiful view of Portland from the 4th floor patio of the NW Natural building.

What to Expect

Learn to Identify Stakeholders

Learn the importance of trust

Learn the 5 Questions of Collaboration

Speaker: Dave Weber, CIO, NW Natural

Series Sponsors: ATSI Group, CSG Professional Services, EasyStreet , Online Business Systems, Stoel Rives, LLP.

Cost: $20 for members $60 for non members

Japan-America Society of Oregon

JASO Beer Garden
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
5:30pm - 7:30pm

NW Natural, 4th Floor
220 NW Second Avenue

Please join us for Annual JASO Beer Garden and celebrate the summer-Japanese style.

Music provided by A-Key-kyo

For more information or reservations, please call us at 503.552.8811