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2024 Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards: Building a Better Tomorrow

Celebrate Colorado Technology Association’s 30th anniversary at our 2024 Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards! This event (part technology conference, part celebration of the best in Colorado tech) brings together pioneers, innovators and visionaries to reflect on three decades of progress, envision the future and honor those who have propelled us forward. 

The Colorado Tech Summit is the place to connect with one another, exchange ideas, and grow. This event includes powerful keynotes, dynamic panels, and interactive company technology and showcases.

The APEX Awards brings the community together to celebrate the exceptional people, companies, and accomplishments of 2023. Recipients of the APEX Awards lead the way for Colorado tech. This year will also feature a special celebration of the Colorado Technology Association community. 

Click HERE to see photos from last year’s event!

Nominations are now open through December 1!

Did your company come up with an incredible innovation this year? Did you see a leader really rise to the top? Is there a rising star in your organization who should be recognized? We invite you to nominate an individual or company for this year’s Colorado Technology Association APEX Awards! Discover further details about the award categories and the application process below.

 

2024 Colorado Tech Summit + APEX Awards

March 8, 2024

Grand Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton St, Denver, CO 80202

2024 EVENT THEME

In a world that is constantly evolving, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping our future. “Building a Better Tomorrow” is not just a theme; it’s a call to action. Throughout this year’s event, we will discuss the limitless possibilities of technology, its power to shape the world around us and how  we can better prepare our community and our workforce. 

Let’s explore the ways in which technology can be harnessed responsibly and ethically to address global challenges. “Building a Better Tomorrow” is a commitment to creating a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and filled with endless possibilities.

Join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of CTA, and together, let’s continue Building a Better Tomorrow through technology.

APEX AWARDS CATEGORIES

Advocate of the Year

  • This individual is advancing the technology industry in Colorado through their leadership in moving forward policies and ideas that ensure our state’s status as a prominent tech hub.

  • 2023 – Lee Wheeler-Berliner, Colorado Workforce Development Council
    2022 – Scott Laband, President, Colorado Succeeds
    2020- Anthony Neal-Graves, CIO & ED, Colorado Governor’s Office of Information Technology
    2019 – Mayor Michael B. Hancock, City & County of Denver
    2018 – State Senator Jack Tate
    2017 – State Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp
    2016 – Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers
    2015 – State Sen. Rollie Heath and U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet
    2014 – Representative Dan Pabon and Paul Washington, Denver OED
    2013 – Rep. Angela Williams and Sen. Mark Scheffel
    2011 – Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, Representative Carole Murray, Senator Cheri Jahn and Senator Linda Newell
    2010 – Representative Mike May, Senator Josh Penry and the Republican Caucus
    2005 – Brian Vogt, OEDIT

Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement

  • This individual has made outstanding achievements and commitments to furthering innovative technology in our community and the state and has contributed to the initiatives of Colorado Technology Association.

  • 2023 – Betty Arkell
    2022 – Sandi Mays
    2020- Barbara Mowry
    2019 – Rich Liner, KidsTek
    2018 – Kristin Russell, Arrow Electronics
    2017 – Andre Durand, Ping Identity
    2016 – Lucy Sanders, NCWIT
    2015 – Steve Halstedt
    2014 – J.B. Holston, Sitrion
    2013 – Dan Caruso, Zayo Group
    2012 – Nancy Sauer
    2011 – John Oechsle, DigitalGlobe
    2010 – Nancy Phillips, ViaWest
    2009 – Jon Nordmark, eBags and Wambo
    2008 – Brad Feld, Foundry Group
    2007 – Barbara Bauer, GlobalSight Partners
    2006 – Scott Burt, Integro
    2005 – Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage
    2004 – Donna Auguste, Leave A Little Room Foundation
    2003 – Wayne Berger, Solano Foundation
    2002 – Donald J. McCubbery, University of Denver
    2001 – Bob Newman, JD Edwards

CEO of the Year

  • These creative, innovative and determined founder or CEO’s lead a Colorado-based tech organization. In addition to the daily role of leading their organization, they work to drive the vibrancy of the tech economy beyond their business.

  • 2023 – Rachel Romer, Guild Education
    2022 – Phil McKinney, CableLabs
    2020- Dan Mackin, Rule4
    2019 – Brandon Ridenour, ANGI Homeservices
    2018 – Brock Berry, AdCellerant
    2017 – Shawn Mills, Green House Data
    2016 – Annette Quintana, Istonish
    2015 – Dave Wright, SolidFire

CIO of the Year

  • This outstanding Chief Information Officer has demonstrated considerable ingenuity in leading an IT team and implementing technology projects that demonstrably improve the effectiveness of their organization.

  • 2023 – David Edinger, City and County of Denver
    2022 – Michelle Bourgeois, St. Vrain Valley Schools
    2020- Atilla Tinic, DISH Network
    2019 – Sandi Mays, Zayo
    2018 – Suma Nallapati, Governor’s Office of Information Technology
    2017 – Jeff Robertson, DigitalGlobe
    2016 – Vin Melvin, Arrow Electronics
    2015 – John Swieringa, CIO of the Year
    2014 – Dave Anderson, CH2M Hill

CISO of the Year

  • This innovative Chief Information Security Officer has implemented a security program that accelerated the success of her/his Colorado-based business. Utilizing people, processes and technologies, this security leader has positioned the security program to deliver on the core mission of the organization.

  • 2023 – Julie Chickillo, Guild Education
    2022 – Artie Wilkowsky, DISH
    2020- Brennan Baybeck, Oracle
    2019 – James Carder, LogRhythm
    2018 – Robb Reck, Ping Identity
    2017 – Matt Shufeldt, Cognizant

Colorado Entrepreneur Excellence

  • This entrepreneurial leader has contributed to multiple businesses, with at least one as a tech company started, grown and operated in Colorado. They have a true passion to seek out problems to solve, and they organize, manage and assume the risk of a business or enterprise.

  • 2023 – Maureen “Mo” Berkner Boyt, The Moxie Exchange
    2022 – Matt Frary, Managed Chaos Holdings
    2020 – Shawn Mills, Lunavi
    2019 – Trent R. Hein, Rule4
    2018 – Sudha Chandrasekharan, Learn-Skillz
    2017 – Elia Wallen, Traveler’s Haven & Hotel Engine
    2016 – Page Tucker, ProStar Geocorp
    2014 – Jeremy Ostermiller, Altitutde Digital
    2013 – Peter Hudson, iTriage LLC
    2012 – Bart Lorang, FullContact
    2011 – Bob Ogdon, Swiftpage
    2010 – Roy Dimoff, ViaWest
    2009 – John Tredennick, Catalyst Repository Systems

Company of the Year

  • This Colorado-based company’s overall performance sets it apart as a leader through technical innovation and concrete examples of how it is meeting a need in the marketplace. This company also is a strong leader in the community and shows corporate responsibility.

  • 2023 – LogRhythm
    2022 – AMP Robotics
    2020 – Convercent
    2019 – CableLabs
    2018 – HomeAdvisor
    2017 – SendGrid
    2016 – ViaWest
    2015 – SpotX
    2014 – LogRhythm
    2013 – Ping Identity
    2012 – Mercury
    2011 – Rivet Software
    2010 – ServiceMagic
    2009 – GTRI
    2007 – Webroot
    2006 – Webroot
    2005 – Webroot
    2004 – eCollege
    2003 – FRxSoftware
    2002 – DataTrend Information Systems

Emerging Leader of the Year

  • This Emerging Leader has demonstrated a commitment to the Colorado tech industry by showing passion for technology and making significant contributions to their organization or the industry overall. They excel at their role and actively seek opportunities to grow professionally and personally. This individual shows great potential to grow in their area of expertise and as a leader in the tech community.

  • 2023 – Drew Port, Rule4
    2022 – Nina Vendhan, Studio Management
    2020- Leidy Pérez, Zayo Group
    2019 – Jamie Cohen, ANGI Homeservices
    2018 – Samuel Thomas Elliot, Amnet

Emerging Tech Company of the Year

  • This is Colorado’s most promising emerging company in operation for five years or less. They are innovative and identified a need in the marketplace for the product or service.

  • 2023 – Rule4
    2022 – Tilt
    2020- Crusoe Energy Systems, Inc
    2019 – Bluestaq
    2018 – Pax8
    2017 – PAIRIN
    2016 – Couragion
    2015 – BluFlux
    2014 – GeoPoll
    2013 – Cloud Elements

Project of the Year

  • This project, implemented by an innovative IT department, solved a business problem with strategic objectives and innovation and overcame obstacles, met goals and demonstrated team collaboration.

  • 2023 – Adams 12 Five Star Schools
    2022 – Governor’s Office of IT 
    2020 – Colorado Department of Revenue
    2019 – St. Vrain Valley Schools
    2018 – Levels Beyond
    2017 – Braxton Technologies
    2016 – Arrow Electronics & Indiegogo Certification Program
    2015 – DigitalGlobe
    2014 – GoCode Colorado, Colorado Secretary of State’s Office
    2013 – Governor’s Office of Information Technology
    2012 – Pixorial
    2011 – PEI
    2010 – Lincoln Trust Company

DE&I Talent Champion of the Year

  • This individual/organization builds and strengthens the technology talent pipeline by leading and supporting initiatives to construct and ensure a strong, diverse local pipeline of tech workers in the state.

  • 2023 – Ashlie Arnold, Pax8
    2022 – Alejandro Dopico, PC’s For People – Denver 
    2020 – Helen Young Hayes, Activate Workforce Solutions
    2019 – Alan Buller, FEDC TechSTART
    2018 – Heather Terenzio, Techtonic Group
    2017 – Global MindED
    2016 – CareerWise Colorado
    2015 – Blind Institute of Technology

DBJ: Colorado Entrepreneur Excellence
DBJ: Advocate of the Year

 

Interested in 2024 sponsorship opportunities? Contact Peter Schwartz at 303-592-4070 or peter@coloradotechnology.org.