500 Nonprofit and Community Leaders Expected at RTA's ``Schmooze.ORG,'' San Diego's First Large-Scale Networking Event for the Nonprofit Community.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 2003

The Regional Technology Alliance (RTA), a local organization that promotes technology growth in the San Diego region, in partnership with the Waitt Family Foundation (Waitt), Gateway founder Ted Waitt's philanthropic organization, is hosting the inaugural "Schmooze.ORG" networking event for San Diego's non-profit community tonight at The Abbey historical building in Hillcrest.

Running from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., the event is expected to draw approximately 500 leaders from San Diego's non-profit community, including staff from nonprofit organizations, funders and bank officials, foundation staff and community development representatives, as well as media and elected officials.

The RTA, whose mission is to promote sustainable tech-based economic growth in the San Diego region by working with communities and nonprofit organizations to help bridge the digital divide - as well with technology entrepreneurs and policymakers concerned with technology issues - developed Schmooze.ORG for the nonprofit community based on the success of its Big eSchmooze networking event for San Diego's tech and biotech communities, which draws about 1,500 attendees annually and has shown that large scale networking events can help facilitate tech business growth, create jobs and bring in investments.

Using a similar model, Schmooze.ORG aims to give the nonprofit community a chance to benefit and grow by making new contacts and learning about available technology resources. Ultimately, new connections for nonprofits can translate to beneficial collaborations and bring in funding, and taking advantage of various technologies can save costs and help disseminate information faster and more efficiently - all of which greatly help nonprofits enhance their missions, expand their reach and better serve their respective constituencies.

Although spearheaded by the RTA and underwritten by Waitt, Schmooze.ORG is a collaborative event supported by the majority of San Diego's non-profit support organizations, including: African American Digital Connection, San Diego Association of Nonprofits, San Diego Community Technology Coalition, San Diego Futures Foundation, San Diego Housing Federation, San Diego Performing Arts League and InfoTAP/Nonprofit Management Solutions, who are providing a free "Tech Tips" booklet for nonprofits at the event. SBC is a Title Sponsor, Ricochet/NetHere is powering wireless connectivity and San Diego Daily Transcript is a media partner.

"We are really grateful to the Waitt Family Foundation for inspiring us to share our innovative networking model with our colleagues in the nonprofit community," said Tyler Orion, RTA's president and CEO. "We hope that Schmooze.ORG will underscore our commitment to cross pollinating- using our lessons learned in serving the entrepreneurial technology sector to help foster a more tech-savvy approach to solving community problems as well."

"The RTA has done a phenomenal job in reducing the barriers to nonprofits in accessing technology to increase their service delivery bottom line," said Al Panico, director of Grants for the Waitt Family Foundation. "Technological tools available to the business and corporate sector just have not been affordable to nonprofits. This event will go far in spreading the word that nonprofits are tech savvy too!"

The event runs from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. tonight, April 10, at The Abbey, 2825 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92103. Walk-in price is $20 and the event is free for members of the press.

About the RTA

The San Diego Regional Technology Alliance (www.sdrta.org) is a private non-profit corporation that promotes sustainable technology growth in the region by providing direct business assistance to entrepreneurs and high tech and biotech companies, programs to bridge the digital divide, and research and education to help shape public policy and forge effective collaborations.

About Waitt Family Foundation

The Waitt Family Foundation (www.waittfoundation.org) believes strong communities build strong families. We partner with resident-led efforts in communities that seek to understand their pasts, identify current assets and challenges, and take action to achieve their visions for the future. In addition, we support community-based innovations that use technology to improve people's lives, work toward the prevention of violence in the family, and share promising practices to benefit other communities.