MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 01, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) --
WHAT: The OC Tech Collective, a consortium of local, leading not- for-profit technology associations supporting broader access to technology across all social and economic groups, today announced the launch of its second Holiday Event and Annual Roundup of Technologists (H.E.A.R.T.) on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group facility at 7905 Gateway Avenue in the Irvine Spectrum. The event, which will take place in Ford's spectacular showroom, will serve as a unique networking opportunity for the area's technology business leaders, while raising much-needed funds for Habitat for Humanity Orange County's (HfHOC) Technology Initiative called Digital Bridge. The event has drawn in sponsors and attendees from some of Orange County's top technology-related companies. Sponsors of this year's event include: Compuware Corporation, Preston Gates & Ellis LLP, Jackson DeMarco & Peckenpaugh, FileNet Corporation, Verizon Wireless, Liberty IMS, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, iLeads.com, MSX International, Inc., Newport Beach Bacchus Society, VIRTUAL-IMAGE, Finance America, Orange County Business Journal, Bock Communications, Advanced- Media, Ballentyne, Inc., Wells Fargo, Media Communications Association International, VIOSS, Earth Transmission, Ascolta, VitalStream, D-Link and SmithMicro Software. The OC Tech Collective began its support of HfHOC's Technology Initiative last December by hosting the first H.E.A.R.T. event, raising over $9,000 for the project. The group aims to increase the attendance at this year's event in hopes of raising more money for HfHOC's Digital Bridge and leveraging its membership base to provide computer hardware, software, Internet access, hands-on technical support and training for the families. For more details about H.E.A.R.T. and the OC Tech Collective visit www.heartparty.com or contact Cynthia Cotteta at (949) 922-5584. Tickets are $ 40.00 on-line by midnight December 1, and $ 50.00 at the door. To get involved with HfHOC's Digital Bridge, please contact Kenneth Knapp at (949) 294-0403. WHO: About Habitat for Humanity Orange County Habitat for Humanity of Orange County (HfHOC) uses non-government donations of funding, materials, professional services and volunteer labor to build simple, decent homes which are sold to qualified very low-income families for a one percent down payment and a zero-interest mortgage. Habitat families contribute 500 hours of "sweat equity" to the program by building their own home, helping another Habitat family build it's home, or working in some other area of the Habitat organization. Habitat for Humanity has built 100 homes in Orange County since 1988. About the OC Tech Collective The Orange County Technology Collective is a council of leading not-for-profit technology associations leveraging the power of its members to spearhead charitable programs that accelerate broader access to technology across all social and economic groups. Its representatives include members of the American Electronics Association (AeA), Association for Women in Technology (AWT), Digital Coast Roundtable (DCR), Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), Society for Internet Advancement (SIA-OC), Software Council of Southern California (SCSC), Southern California Venture Network (SCVN), Tech Coast Venture Network (TCVN) and Technology and Business Connections Forum (TBCF). WHEN: Tuesday, December 2, 2003 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. WHERE: Ford Motor Company -- Premier Automotive Group 7905 Gateway Avenue in the Irvine Spectrum