Digital Technology Expo and luncheon will be held Thursday

Information about technology support and software solutions for small to medium businesses will be among the topics of a digital technology expo.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hilton Vancouver, 301 W. Sixth St.

The expo, hosted by the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, will kick off with an education preview featuring approximately 500 high school students from the Camas, Evergreen and Vancouver school districts. Students and faculty from Clark College and Washington State University-Vancouver will also attend the session that is designed to inspire future members of the digital technology sector workforce.

A demonstration stage, presented by the Southwest Washington Stem Network, will feature businesses, students and clubs that impact the technology sector. Event participants will include representatives from the Innovation Partnership Zone in Digital Technology, WSU-Vancouver’s Creative Media & Digital Culture Program, the Columbia River Economic Development Council and Leadership Clark County.

Effective Web Solutions, of Washougal, and Reid Business Services, of Camas, will be among the vendors at the expo.

The luncheon, at noon, will feature a panel discussion with representatives from the Portland Trail Blazers, the Portland Timbers and the Hillsboro Hops. They will talk about how these sports teams are leveraging digital technologies to engage their fan bases.

The cost to attend the lunch is $50 per person. Pre-registration is available at www.vancouverusa.com/events/details/digital-technology-luncheon-edge-out-the-competition-6989.

The digital technology expo will wrap up with a happy hour at 3 p.m. It will include examples of tech companies and individuals who have built businesses within the IPZ.

Questions can be directed to Chandra Chase, programs and communications director and small business assistance program coordinator for the GVCC, at 567-1056 or cchase@vancouverusa.com.