Vermont 3.0 Rocked!
The first annual tech jam, "Vermont 3.0," exceeded all expectations on Saturday, January 26, 2008, when more than 1500 job seekers streamed through the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center on the Burlington Waterfront. The crowd included parent-accompanied high schoolers, college students clutching newly printed resumes and career changes of all ages. They networked, they traded resources and yes, they played "Guitar Hero." (Continue reading article...)
2008 Tech Jam photos by John Canning at Physician's Computer Company.
Even Governor Douglas got in on the action. The guv attempted to play Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll" on "Guitar Hero," and, despite coaching from Dave Contois of Contois Music, had a hard time figuring out which buttons to press. He was a good sport about it, though. "I'm not a 'Guitar Hero,'" he concluded after his debut performance. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders showed up later, but wisely steered clear of the musical instruments.
Fifty exhibitors crammed into four beautiful rooms in the "green" building on the Burlington Waterfront. But instead of the lake views, attendees were focused on the myriad career opportunities before them: Nearly every business in attendance was actively looking for employees.
What happened? Ted Adler of Union Street Media reports being "inundated by qualified candidates." Greg Brand of Bluehouse Group testifies, "My staff and I talked non-stop to people all day, including many with the talents for one of the open positions at my company. I received as many qualified resumés during those six hours than during the prior six weeks of recruiting."
Brand continues, "There is a popular misconception that 'there are no jobs in Vermont.' The 50 employers who exhibited at the jam — and the 20 on the waiting list — certainly dispelled that myth."
- For a complete list of 3.0 exhibitors, click on companies.
- For press coverage of the event, click on press.
