NCTA hands out its annual awards on Thursday and plans a business month of events with sessions on risk management, social media and businesses, plus brand strategy.

The schedule:

NCTA 21 Awards Gala

  • Nov. 8, 5:30 – 9:00 pm • Sheraton Imperial Hotel (Durham)
  • The NCTA 21 Awards, North Carolina’s only statewide technology awards program, recognizes companies and individuals who have characterized excellence, innovation and leadership in 2012. The awards process culminates with the NCTA 21 Awards Gala, where nearly 800 leaders from across the state will gather to celebrate the tech sector and honor the finalists and winners. 

NCTA Workshop: How Tech Companies Can Use Risk Management to Increase Their Bottom Line

  • Nov. 13, 7:30 – 8:30 am • Packard Place (Charlotte)
  • Join NCTA Affinity Partner, JJ Wade & Associates, for breakfast and a seminar to learn the secrets behind insurance pricing and how you can use these tactics on your next insurance renewal to improve coverage options and costs.

NCTA Workshop: A 360° View of Social Media

  • Nov. 14, 7:30 – 9:30 am • Hotel Indigo (RTP)
  • Join NCTA Affinity Partner, Business Wire, for breakfast and a panel discussion on successful navigation and utilization of social networking sites. Digital strategy executives from Lenovo, SAS and Quintiles will discuss how social media impacts their organization.

Government Vendor Network Meeting

  • Nov. 29, 3:00 – 4:30 pm • Alphanumeric Systems (Raleigh)
  • Jonathan Womer, State CIO and the newly appointed ITS Procurement Officer (Tentative) will be the featured speakers. All NCTA Interest Networks are open to NCTA members only. This session is free to attend, but registration is required.

Emerging Tech & Trends: Building Your Company’s Brand Through Technology

  • Dec. 6, 8:30 – 11:00 am • Research Triangle Park HQ (RTP)
  • Companies are now leveraging e-commerce, mobile apps and social media to reach their customers and tailor their product or service to each individual. This panel will explore effective digital strategies to build a company’s brand. This event is free to NCTA members and open to the general public – registration is required.