Three Covington-based technology companies are teaming up with city leaders and economic development partners to boost the city's image as an emerging IT hub, and to attract new businesses to Northern Kentucky's urban core. C-Forward, TiER1 Performance Solutions, and 3Z.net will host "Growing IT in Covington" on Friday, Oct. 19, at the Radisson Hotel. Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, the City of Covington, and Northern Kentucky ezone co-present the event. "It's the very first time we've done anything like it, and I think it's the first time an economic development activity has come directly from the business community like this," says Brent Cooper, CEO of C-Forward. The event will give business leaders a chance to tell the story of IT's coming-of-age in Covington and shape a vision for its future growth. Tri-ED, ezone, Covington city officials, and the Covington Business Council/Urban Partnership of Covington will be on hand to showcase economic development opportunities. And because high-tech talent is crucial to the success of any IT company, Gateway Community and Technical College, which is planning a new urban campus in Covington, will discuss training and collaboration opportunities. "Gateway will be bringing technology classes to Covington – and, hopefully, students that will be future employees," Cooper says. Of course, the event also gives companies the invaluable opportunity to network, start conversations, and exchange ideas. The aim is to create a strong, collaborative IT community in Covington. Even competitors benefit from having one another around, and from the city's thriving downtown, Cooper says. "I call it coop-etition," he says. "We refer business to each other in areas we don't compete, and where we do compete, we can still learn from each other. It's been a real benefit to have these kinds of companies in close proximity. [And] an urban core setting like Covington fits well with what we're doing. We can walk to restaurants, we can walk to Reds and Bengals games, we can walk to customers. "As Covington continues to develop and improve," he adds, "we want tech companies to be part of that." Growing IT in Covington is a free event, but registration is required. To sign up, or for more information, call 859-431-1550, ext. 2 or email admin@cbcky.com, or register online at www.cbcky.com.
