Politics and more at VORTEX 2004

While John Gallant enjoys his well-earned break from this newsletter over the next two weeks, we’d like to take this opportunity to drill down into some of the events that we have planned for you at VORTEX 2004.

Politics is perhaps one conversation topic that many may prefer to avoid at polite dinner parties, but not us! Over dinner on the night of Oct. 5, John will join VORTEX co-producer Geoffrey Moore to lead a VORTEX Special Town Meeting entitled “Innovation, Politics and the Future of the American Technology Industry.”

A panel of industry luminaries and members of the VORTEX community will gather at the Town Meeting to thrash out a number of topics that are top of mind for many IT executives.

As well as politics and questions over which presidential candidate holds the most promise – and peril – for the industry, the panelists will tackle the thorny subjects of offshore outsourcing and the future of innovation in the U.S. Is technology doomed to a future of cold indifference from Washington, or worse, one of greater regulation and oversight.

We’ll also discuss whether Asia is taking the reins of tech leadership away from the U.S., and ask what will it take for the U.S. to maintain its grip?

You will get to share your thoughts and views on the topics at the microphone or via voting devices. These issues are pretty significant as the Presidential Election moves closer, so make sure your voice is heard and join us at VORTEX 2004.

The panelists taking part at the VORTEX Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 5, are:

* Jeffrey Blumenfeld, Partner, Antitrust & Intellectual Property, Crowell & Moring LLP.

* Umang Gupta, Chairman & CEO, Keynote Systems.

* Mitch Kertzman, Partner, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners.

* David Kirkpatrick, Senior Editor, Internet & Technology, Fortune Magazine.

All the best,

The VORTEX Digest Staff