Cloud Computing An Even Bigger Phenomenon Than The Advent Of Personal Computing, Google Ceo Says
Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, addressed nearly 900 Utah executives at Utah Technology Council’s 11th Annual Hall of Fame Celebration Event yesterday. All in attendance were wowed by visionary predictions and revelations of how technology will continue to improve the way we do business.
“Cloud computing”—the concept of devices connecting to the internet “cloud” to access powerful applications to accomplish whatever they need, is a concept Google CEO Eric Schmidt has been foretelling for the past 10-15 years. Today it is a phenomenon even greater than the advent of personal computing, he says. Schmidt shared his remarks in a couch-side keynote chat with David Bradford, CEO of Fusion-io, with a sell-out crowd of nearly 900 Utah executives at the Utah Technology Council’s (UTC) 11th Annual Hall of Fame celebration event at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City Friday night.
In his remarks, Schmidt noted that Utah is the best place in America for starting a business. He also acknowledged Utah’s broadband initiatives in Provo and Salt Lake City as key steps in supporting a knowledge economy that will allow a tremendous new wave of business and technology innovation to occur.
At the event, UTC CEO Richard R. Nelson noted interesting data from a recent UTC survey of 172 current UTC member organizations. Of these 172 companies, 8 percent are currently thriving. More than half of the companies queried—58 percent—report they are currently growing. Twenty-nine percent are holding steady. And only 5 percent of the 172—a small minority—report that they are currently in a state of decline.
“Ninety-five percent of our technology companies are thriving, growing or holding steady—a success level that far exceeds the majority of the United States,” Nelson said. “In fact, several national publications have ranked Utah as the region best poised to emerge from the current recession quickly.”
Nelson noted the number of technology companies in Utah has risen dramatically, from several hundred companies in 1999 to more than 5,500 today.
Following the keynote discussion, the UTC formally inducted Greg Butterfield, Managing Partner of SageCreek Partners, and Peter D. Meldrum and Mark H. Skolnick, Ph.D., co-founders of Myriad Genetics, to its 11th Hall of Fame, which honors individuals with ties to Utah who have made key contributions to the technology and life science industries.
“We are extremely honored to recognize these tremendous individuals for their outstanding achievements and for the impact they’ve made on technology throughout the world,” Nelson said.
About Utah Technology Council
Utah’s premier professional association, the Utah Technology Council, has become the essential business resource for life science and high-tech companies seeking to achieve greater success. At its core, UTC exists to foster the Growth of the state’s more than 5,000 technology companies, ensure Utah develops the highest Quality Workforce in the nation, and attract an ever-increasing array of Funding. Members join UTC to share insights with industry peers, counsel with government and academic leaders, and receive help from professional service providers and funding resources. To become a member of this “must join” organization, visit www.utahtechcouncil.org or call 801-568-3500 today.
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Snapp Conner PR
Cheryl Snapp Conner
T) 801-994-9625
cheryl@snappconner.com
UTC Contact
Judy Young
801-568-3500
jyoung@utahtechcouncil.org
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The UTC Hall of Fame Gala was a wonderful event! I really enjoyed have the opportunity to hear Eric Schmidt. The Utah Technology Council is a wonderful organization for Utah based organization. Let me know if you would like to know more, or would like to attend one of the many events.
Bret Harding
UTC Membership Committee
Bret@UtahInsuranceSolutions.com