Real Talk: AI Across the Cascadia Megaregion

Leaders from government, industry, and startups across Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia will gather to discuss how AI is being deployed today and what it means for workforce, enterprise adoption, and regional innovation. Hosted by the Cascadia Innovation Corridor, DIGITAL, the Technology Alliance, and the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO).

Learn more here: Cascadia Responsible AI Hub | Cascadia Innovation Corridor

Register here: Summary - Real Talk: AI Across the Cascadia Megaregion Capacity is Limited.

Session 4: How to Prepare of the Best Exit

March 24, 2025 | IMA Offices, Bellevue | 5-7pm

Most founders don't start thinking like a seller until they get an LOI in hand. By then? It's too late. You've already left 10-20% of your valuation on the table.

Operators Guild Seattle x the Technology Alliance are bringing together Dave Parker, one of the sharpest minds in exits, and Dave Cotter, a Seattle tech veteran with decades of experience across startups and big companies — for a fireside chat you don't want to miss.

📅 March 24th | Bellevue
🍕 Networking + bites from 5:00pm
🔥 Fireside chat kicks off at 5:45pm
🤝 Post-event networking until 7:00pm

"Insights in Hindsight: How to Prepare for the Best Exit" is part of a series built for operators, by operators — real lessons, real talk, no fluff.

And yes — attendees consistently say the post-fireside networking is where the real magic happens. Come with your questions, stay for the conversations.

Register here: OG Seattle x Tech Alliance: Insights in Hindsight - How to Prepare for the Best Exit

April 10th | Dr. Bruce Maxwell, Teaching Professor & Director of Computing Programs, Northeastern University Seattle

What if the way we prepare images for computers is getting in the way of understanding them?
Most digital images are designed to look good to human eyes. But what’s best for people isn’t always best for machines. Bruce Maxwell, teaching professor at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, explores how rethinking image formats—especially how brightness and color are represented—can unlock new capabilities in computer vision.

Inspired by how the human eye processes light, Maxwell’s research shows that using alternative formats can make AI models more stable under changing lighting, reveal hidden patterns, and improve performance across tasks like object recognition and image generation. His experiments suggest that small changes in how we feed images to machines can lead to big improvements in how they interpret the world.

This talk invites us to look beneath the surface of everyday images—and discover how seeing differently might help machines see better.

Agenda

11:30 am to 12 pm - lunch

12 pm to 12:40 pm - presentation

12:40 pm to 1 pm - audience Q&A

Register on Luma: Discovery Series, Dr. Bruce Maxwell, Teaching Professor & Director of Computing Programs, Northeastern University Seattle · Luma

Session 5: TBA

May 5, 2025 | IMA Offices, Bellevue | 5-7pm

Topic and details coming soon.

Metastasis in Slow Motion: Preventing Cancer’s Return

What if cancer didn’t strike in one dramatic moment—but instead lingered, quietly, for years? Long after a tumor seems gone, rogue cells can lie dormant. They wait. And sometimes, they return. This is the mystery of metastatic relapse—and the frontier where Dr. Cyrus Ghajar works. 

 At Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Ghajar leads research into how dormant cancer cells evade treatment and what reactivates them. His lab bridges oncology, immunology, and bioengineering to explore the role of the immune system in suppressing dormant cancer cells. It’s a delicate numbers game that can tip the balance between remission and recurrence. 

Supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Kuni Foundation, U.S. Department of Defense and other funders, Ghajar holds the Peter S. Lefkarites Memorial Endowed Chair. Ghajar’s work is reshaping how we think about metastasis—not as a sudden invasion, but a slow, stealthy process that might be intercepted. Join us to explore how silence in the body might hold the key to preventing relapse. 

Agenda -

11:30 am to 12 pm - lunch

12 pm to 12:40 pm - presentation

12:40 pm to 1 pm - audience Q&A

Register on luma: Discovery Series, Dr. Cyrus Ghjar, Professor, Fred Hutch · Luma

What is the State of Technology Luncheon?

The State of Technology Luncheon is a must-attend event convening over 600 of Washington’s top business, education, research, and government leaders. Each year, we deliver fresh insights and meaningful comparisons that benchmark Washington’s innovation economy—exploring key areas like education, research capacity, and access to capital.

Past speakers have included Satya Nadella, Reid Hoffman, Brad Smith, Brad Tilden, and Jeff Bezos. No matter what sector you're in, this event offers invaluable ideas, inspiration, and connections.

(And yes, a great table gift.)

What to expect this year:

The 2026 State of Technology Luncheon explores how Washington became a global force in space-based connectivity—and what it means for our economy, workforce, and innovation ecosystem.

In a world defined by connection, space is no longer the final frontier—it’s the next infrastructure. With newer ventures like AmazonLeo taking shape right here in the Greater Seattle area (Redmond/Kirkland/Bellevue) is quickly becoming a launchpad for the technologies that will connect billions of people across the globe.

At this year’s State of Technology Luncheon, we’ll explore:

• Why now is the moment for space innovation

• How Washington became a hub for satellite development and advanced manufacturing

• What this shift means for workforce, policy, and future economic leadership

We’re thrilled to welcome a keynote speaker from Amazon’s Project LEO, offering an inside look at the future of satellite internet and the role our state is playing on the global stage.

This is more than a space story—it’s a Washington story.
One of talent, infrastructure, vision, and velocity.

Visit our landing page for more information - 2026 Luncheon — Technology Alliance

Please email events@technology-alliance.com for sponsorship and full table inquiries

For individual tickets - please check out our luma registration page - State of Technology Luncheon · Luma

ADD TO CALENDAR

More information to be announced soon!

Register here: https://luma.com/SEAInvestorSummit2026

Designed to bring together the state's preeminent researchers, innovative leaders, and elected officials who want to stay on top of important advancements being made in our state, each Discovery Series program includes lunch, networking time, a Q&A session, and an opportunity to meet the speaker.

Session 6: TBA

July 28, 2025 | IMA Offices, Bellevue | 5-7pm 

Topic and details coming soon.