2010 / 2011The Year in Review

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YTA Objects of the Corporation, June 1983

1. To provide a forum to act as a catalyst to attract, grow and serve the high technology industry to the mutual benefit of the industry and the community.

2. To assist in the creation of an environment conducive to the attraction and growth of high technology industry.

3. To promote the advantages of the community for high technology industry.

4. To promote the image of high technology industry of the community.

5. To provide a forum for high technology industries for the interchange of ideas.

6. To consolidate the views of high technology industries and dialogue with local, provincial and federal governments to facilitate mutual understanding.

7. To help educate the community of the needs and benefits of high technology industry.

8. To act as a focal point for participation in the short, medium and long term planning activity in the community.

Table Of Contents

to the Board of Directors-yet now it is clear to me that the concept applies equally well to our entire membership.

W is for work. We are an organization that relies significantly upon members to get things done. From or-ganizing luncheons to running Bootcamps to facilitating of the many monthly peer group streams. One count puts the volunteer contribution at close to 15,000 hours per year. We again connected with over 1000 attendees through the topical issues luncheons as well as over 1000 at the peer group meetings throughout the year.

W is for wisdom. Not all members sign up to put in long hours to help run the organization, but they make an impact when they offer access, insight or intelligence on the influences and influencers of the ecosystem in which we operate. They helped bridge alliances and leverage the prominence of the YTA in the past year. They are true Ambassadors for the YTA. With the ITAC Alliance we have nearly doubled the number of technology companies throughout the GTA that now have a direct connection to the YTA.

W is for wealth. We need sponsors to keep the YTA operating and their continued support is both essen-tial and appreciate. As a member-directed organization we have rarely received government funding for the member programs we offer. Sponsors contribute on average 1/3 of our annual operating funds. This past year we did however receive special funding from IRAP and we used that to bolster our peer group program and to run the Solutions Showcase event that profiled technologies and services of members and partner organizations – hosting over 250 attendees. With these contributions the YTA finishes its fis-cal year in great financial position.

W is for Wow. Our members lend credibility and prominence to the YTA simply through their involve-ment. As they achieve growth and recognition in their respective markets, the YTA games profile and recognition as well. Whether blue-chip, rapid growth, or prospective startup company, all have a place within the YTA to contribute lessons, gain insights, and exchange shortcuts to success in the tech space.We opened this year with a change in our name to mark a significant focus towards establishing strategic alliances within the broad ecosystem: alliances to attract new members and to elevate the value that was available to members through their membership in the YTA.

We needed to be entrepreneurial in our own right. We needed to bring different thinking to the organiza-tion that would spark innovation, reach new audiences, provide needed information in a timely manner for members.

You could say that the YTA has moved to distance itself from an aging model of Not For Profit Associa-tions; to become a modern Social Enterprise, applying entrepreneurial thinking, agile management, appropriate risk taking, and delivering social as well as business value.

The YTA has reached out to collaborate, innovate, and educate. We are known for our Knowledge Mobi-lization - as a hub supporting business growth amongst our members, but also for offering scholarships to college and university undergrads, offering collaboration and support to start-ups, being a sounding board for others needing that sense of community.

Good things have happened because good people have given generously in every “Way” they can. As the new board, the new year, and all members embrace the Ambassador role in the YTA there is no doubt that our sector will flourish, and with it the YTA.

I want to make a special note of thanks to the entire board of directors of the YTA. It is their input and collaboration that inspires our growth. I have great confidence in the capabilities of your incoming Chair, John Kitchen and I especially thank him for his kind support. And I end with a thank you to the Execu-tive Director and the YTA staff for their enthusiastic support and innovative approaches toward meeting members’ needs.

Kindest Regards,

Marie WiesePast-Chair, YTA

2. Corporate Objectives

& Report From the Chair

3. Report From the Chair (cont.)

4. 2010/11 at a Glance

5. Membership

6. Monthly Luncheons

7. Monthly Luncheons (cont.)

8. Events

9. Events (cont.)

10. Governance

11. Sponsors

Report From The ChairI hope that as you reflect upon this past year you share my sense of pride for the many accomplishments and achievements of the YTA in 2011.

Early in this board year we updated the mission statement to read that the YTA exists in order “to foster a collaborative community for technology companies to connect and grow”. And connect we did as nearly 3000 members of technology companies and the professional advisory services that support them met, learned, collaborated, and grew. Over 160 events helped make that happen. This year we first spoke of four W’s in describing the leadership roles as it relates

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2010/11 At-A-Glance

•  Changed name to Alliance to emphasize the collaborative outreach to ICT companies and organizations throughout the GTA.

•   Moved YTA offices into the new Markham Convergence Centre; putting the YTA at the heart of the business and innovation hub of York Region.

•  Held first ever YTA Solutions Showcase, profiling YTA members and local technology.

•   Set new sponsorship benchmarks with the first ever YTA Platinum Sponsor and greater involvement by sponsor companies.

•  Held over 150 different events with over 3,000 participants.

•   Over 15,000 volunteer hours contributed by senior executives in our community helping us with events, peer groups and activities.

•   Strengthened relationships with key regional stakeholders, including VentureLab, York University and the Region of York.

•   Established collaborative relationships in Toronto through Branham event support, partici-pation in the OCE Discovery Conference and the Digital Media Peer Group at the Ryerson Digital Media Zone.

 •  Introduced two new Peer Groups: Clean Tech and Digital Media.

•   Awarded two scholarships to students at Seneca College and York University to help them in their pursuit of tech-oriented careers.

•   Held first-ever YTA Technology Leadership Awards, recognizing achievements in categories of Start-Up, Momentum, and Company of the Year.

•   Strategic planning session updated the YTA mission statement to be: “To foster a collabora-tive community for technology companies to connect and grow.”

•   Received first IRAP funding to support community collaboration through the Peer Group Program.

Membership

Participation in the YTA uniquely places our member companies at the centre-point of Canada’s technology corridor with a connection to more than 5,000 lead-ers and influencers of the tech cluster in the Greater Toronto Region.

Membership is based on company size (total employ-ees) and enables all staff to participate under the single Corporate rate.

0

50

100

150

200

250

2006 2008 2009 2010 20112007

YTA Membership

17%

14%12%

29%

28% 21%

9%4%

14%

52%

Tech Members Service Members

100+Persons

51-99Persons

16-50Persons

1-15Persons

1-3Persons

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Monthly LuncheonsMonthly luncheons at the YTA are a chance for members to connect with peers, clients, and top-level professional service providers. These sessions are designed to be ‘Shortcuts to Suc-cess’; keeping members current on the issues, opportunities and technological advances af-fecting their business and connect them with other members of the technology community.

Speakers at these events are leaders in the technology sector and share their knowledge, expertise and lessons learned with members. The experiences, issues and insights at these sessions are current and relevant to your business.

2010/11 Luncheon HighlightsMonetizing Mobile AppsIn November, Kunal Gupta, Founder & CEO of Polar Mobile, spoke to YTA members and guests about the future of mobile and how they can capitalize on the latest mobile trends. At this sold-out event, Kunal outlined the speed at which technology is going mobile and how mem-bers can take their existing content and make it available to mobile users.

Branham300 LuncheonThe YTA again enjoyed the opportunity to host Branham CEO Wayne Gudbranson for the Branham ‘Reveal’ of companies from York Region and the GTA that made the Branham 300 list. Again this year, more than one third of the companies named to the list have head offices within the reach of the YTA, including eight of the top 25 up and comers.

With the generous sponsorship of KPMG LLP we were able to repeat what has become an an-nual marquee networking luncheon.

This year, members and guests were treated to a panel of Executives from Branham300 companies, with Krista Lariviere of gShift Labs and  Mark Miller of Platform Computing joining Wayne Gudbranson in a panel discussion of what worked for their organizations this past year.

Deloitte TMT Predictions LuncheonNearly 150 YTA members and guests came out to the YTA Deloitte Predictions Luncheon to hear Duncan Stewart of Deloitte outline the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) trends for 2011.

Having hit the mark with his predictions in 2010 with a call for increased tablet computing; growth in cloud computing; and the rise of 3D TV, the audience had high expectations for this year. Duncan delivered, giving his usual energetic and informed presentation, and calling for increased use of tablets in the enterprise; a roll-out of wifi at retail outlets; and a continued diversity of mobile and tablet operating systems.

Business growth lessons from Mark RuddockIn May, serial entrepreneur Mark Ruddock shared his lessons learned as CEO of Viigo, a mo-bile information sharing app recently sold to RIM. In his presentation, Mark outlined what members should watch out for as they grow their business and how to keep teams motivated when you decide to sell.

YTA Luncheons by the NumbersYTA Luncheons: 8Total Attendees: 750

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EventsYTA Golf Tournament

The YTA Golf Tournament is one of the organization’s most popular events. A sell-out every year, the tournament brings together leaders from tech companies and partners throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Celebrating 16 years of great networking and golf, the 2010 Golf Tournament was again held at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Stouffville.  From the opening BBQ lunch to the amazing prizes awarded at the end of the night, the golf tournament was full of great networking and good times.

Join us this year for the 17th Annual Golf Tournament, being held at Pheasant Run Golf Club on August 25. Our goal this year is to raise $25,000 for the YTA Scholarship Program, so come out and support a good cause!

YTA Bootcamp TrainingYTA Bootcamps offer attendees an opportunity to learn the tools for growth and business improvement in a way that they can apply them right away. Designed to be content-rich and focused, Bootcamp attendance is limited so that instructors can en-gage everyone in the audience.

Bootcamp sessions present innovative approaches in a compressed time frame that let you quickly make a difference; with the back-up and dialogue that helps you to apply your new-found insight as soon as you are back in the office.

2010 Bootcamps•  Sales Bootcamp: How to be a Successful Hunter•  Social Media Bootcamp: Social Media 101 •  Social Media Bootcamp:  Social Media 201•  Revenue Accelerator Bootcamp•  HR Bootcamp: Social Media Tools for Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent

YTA SeminarsYTA seminars are organized around issues that are current and vital. At these sessions, mem-bers and guests learn the ins and outs of building business, keeping business, promoting business and leading to greater business success.

2010 Seminar HighlightsEquity AcceleratorThis session was designed to help tech entrepreneurs and investors as they start, grow and successfully plan their exit from their investments. It helped attendees clarify the steps that

tech investors can take to enhance their EQUITY VALUE; with a persistent eye on exit strategies and featured presentations from two software company CEO’s who have started, grown and then successfully sold their tech investments.

Developing your web presence road mapThis event, featuring his event, representatives from Marketing CoPilot, gShift Labs and Constant Contact, attendees learned how to tie their web presence together (including email, website, social media and blog) to create an integrated process tied to strategic goals and measured in its contribution to business results.

Is Open Source “Free” | When to AuditAt this seminar, Miller Thomson LLP  lead a presentation on two related yet distinct topics: How do you protect your IP interests, particularly if you use or supply service in or with open source code; and the legal issues being brought about by the increasing demand around Audit of Licenses. Members of the Miller Thomson team were joined by tech company leaders to reveal the learnings they have gained...often the hard way!

Peer GroupsThe YTA Peer Group Program is where fast-growth technology company leaders, entrepreneurs and executives come together to exchange information that will help them expand their businesses. In 2010/2011, more than 1000 people attended the monthly Peer Group meetings, building networks and learning from peers and industry leaders.

YTA Peer Groups are open to all employees of the Association`s member companies.

• Tech Company CEO              • Tech Company CFO        • Human Resources• Technical Project Management      • Marketing Leaders          • Sales Leaders• Leaders of Emerging Companies     • Service Executives          • Digital Strategies• Women Leaders in Technology      • Clean Tech

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

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2010 SponsorsGovernance

Chair

Vice Chair

Past Chair

Treasurer

Secretary

Member Communications

Bookkeeping Event ManagementExecutive Director

Recommendation Recognition Recruitment Membership

Recognition Prospecting Sponsorships

Luncheons (8)Luncheon Programs

Bootcamps (4)Breakfast Seminars (4)

Learning Programs

Monthly Series (12)Peer Group Program

Solutions Showcase Awards GolfEvents and Awards

Mentorship Co-op Program Scholarship Student Program

Gov't & Trade Services AssociationsCommunity Partnerships

Strategic Insight & Direction

Meetings 5 8

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Sub-committees - members at large

2010-2011: Marie Wiese2009-2010: Kevin Tribe 2007-2009: Cal Haverstock 2005-2007: Ted Madden 2003-2005: Doug McIntyre 2000-2003: Dave Carrick 1999-2000: Wayne Scott 1997-1999: Mark Durst 1996-1997: Christopher Stait-Gardner & John Hunter

1991-1996: Christopher Stait-Gardner & Alan D Brenchley1990-1991: Leslie White & Bob Reid 1989-1990: Bob Pritchard & Leslie White 1988-1989: Bob Pritchard & Monty Richardson1986-1988: George Hopkins & Gordon Landon, Honourary Chairman - Don Cousens 1982-1986: Don Cousens & Peter Baines, Honourary Chairman - Anthony Roman

Past Chairs

York Technology Alliance 7271 Warden Ave.Markham, Ontario L3R 5X5t. 905 415 4558www.yorktech.ca