Mobile Professionals Group in Michigan

Mobile Professionals Group in Michigan

The Mobile Technology Association of Michigan, which could launch early next year, would connect local start-ups with mobile developers and designers who could bring prominence to the region, said Linda Daichendt, a co-founder of Mobile Monday — Michigan and the founder of the trade organization.

She hopes to recruit board members who will represent all sides of the industry, including carriers like Verizon, manufacturers like Motorola, application developers and designers, and educators.

“I think it can turn around a lot of things in Michigan,” she said. “People don’t realize how big the industry has the potential to be.”

For starters, Mobile Monday — Michigan recently launched a mobile job board. When the trade organization is formed, there are plans to hold job fairs.

At a time when Michiganians are struggling to find work, there are hundreds of mobile jobs available in Metro Detroit, said Keith Bourne, another co-founder of Mobile Monday — Michigan, which is part of an international organization that seeks to have mobile industry workers share ideas, spot trends and promote the growth of the industry.

“These companies are growing and probably their biggest problem right now is finding staff,” said Bourne, who will sit on the board of the Mobile Technology Association. “My concern is if we can’t fill these spots, these companies will have to go somewhere else. That would be a real tragedy.”

Daichendt hopes the Mobile Technology Association will foster partnerships among local startups that could benefit the region. Some startups don’t necessarily compete because they specialize in different sectors. Ann Arbor’s Mobiata specializes in travel, while Mobatech specializes in finance.

The trade association also plans to reach outside the technology sector to create jobs at traditional companies that want to develop a mobile presence, said Daichendt. The group also will promote mobile training at schools and colleges. Via: Detroit News