As West Sound Technology Professionals Association (WSTPA) charts a course into its fifth year, building towards its third annual summit later this month and seeking board candidates for the next two years, the relevant question we ask ourselves is: Why do we support this association and what purpose does it serve?

In taking a step back to look at the question, it’s apparent that technology is already becoming ubiquitous, from desktop computers to cell phones to navigation systems in cars. With so much technology already here, what role does a technology association or cluster play? Is it to keep up with the latest tech developments, mostly obscure from the public view? With our lives increasingly complicated, often because of new technology, shouldn’t we be looking back towards a simpler lifestyle?

The answer is in the big picture. Technology is here to stay, but how effectively do we use it? Instead of how far have we come, it’s how much further we need to go, and for what payoff?

The 21st Century is the information technology century. The economy has been transforming for decades, towards services and information and away from manufacturing. At the same time, trade is exploding and the doors to the world are opening wider. Communications technology makes a call to India as easy as a call to your neighbor. The last time you called customer service, where they in Kitsap or Bangalore? How many products do you notice are made in China?

Economic competition is increasing, and many are rightfully concerned with the possibility of more jobs moving offshore to places where labor costs are measured in dollars per day instead of per hour. How do we compete with this?

One part of the solution lies in a transformation of us, changing habits learned decades ago. It’s learning new job skills, embracing technology and using it to transform the way we work, play, shop, pay our bills, discuss issues with elected representatives, make friends in our community — every day. This is what WSTPA is really about.

As a 501c3 organization, WSTPA is here to educate the public about technology and to help guide this transformation as its core mission. In the last year, the organization has grown from 60 members to over 140 members from a nine-county region, which includes Kitsap, King, Pierce, Mason, Clallam, Jefferson, Pierce, Grays Harbor, and Thurston. Technology is a passion of many members of the association. While many operate or work within IT firms, many others are technology users who deal with its applications in government, education, business and community or economic development sectors.

The association’s influence has been marked by many strategic alliances and partnerships. Beginning with affiliation as a Technology Alliance Associate, WSTPA has since partnered with MIT Enterprise Forum of the Northwest (MITEF), Northwest Entrepreneurs Network (NWEN), Washington Technology Center, and Shidler Center for Law, Commerce and Technology at University of Washington.

Recent corporate sponsors and business members include Kitsap Regional Economic Development Council, Olympic College, Kitsap Regional Library and Kitsap County, underscoring the growing awareness of the critical role technology has in transforming our economy and community.

WSTPA holds monthly meetings, typically at Poulsbo Library on the 3rd Thursday of each month, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Special events, such as its upcoming Western Washington Summit, attract hundreds of attendees to larger venues. Special interest groups (SIGs) also hold events on more technical topics, such as security, wireless, or website development - and the association hosts quarterly Business Breakfast Briefings on topics of interest to the business community.

The 3rd annual “Western Washington Summit: Sustaining Competitive Advantage” (October 21, 4:00 PM – 8:30PM) is being held at the new Kitsap Conference Center adjacent to the Bremerton-Seattle Ferry Terminal. The summit theme focuses on how the region has performed, the challenges it faces and solutions.

Dr. R. Lee Cheatham, Executive Director of Washington Technology Center, will be presenting “Seizing Tomorrow’s Opportunities: An Industry Forecast”. Bob McDowell, Vice President of Critical Business Solutions for Microsoft, will present “The Information Technology Payoff, Positioning for the Rebound.”

A keynote panel of experts will provide insight on the issues of outsourcing, workforce development and training. They include: Dr. Madhu Rao, Principal Investigator — Department of Management, Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University; Joy Howland, Development Director, RATEC and Board of Directors, Society for Information Management (Seattle Chapter) and Ardell “Bud” Albers, Vice President and CTO, Drugstore.com.

The summit includes a technology showcase, with many vendors demonstrating their wares. There’s also a buffet and no-host bar - all for a reasonable fee of $35 for non-members before October 14. Event details and registration information are at www.wstpa.org.

For all its recent successes, the WSTPA still faces many tough challenges. The transformation from a user group focus towards a public association began two years ago. While name recognition has increased over time, the inclusion of “Technology Professionals” in the title gives the false impression that it is only for IT workers. Recognizing that technology is not an end but a means is what matters to most. Much rests on getting others to realize the vision, and then securing their assistance to carry it forward.

In this regard, WSTPA needs the help of the community. The risk is complacency or being reactive to crisis vs. a more proactive approach to the global economy. Meeting this challenge is the role of true leadership and a select few who have made substantial commitments. This effort must be sustained with successive generations of those who share the vision and dedication to take it to the next level. Is that you? Come and join us.