Community Involvement

SupraNet’s Founder and President, Bryan Chan, co-founded the Forward Festival in 2010 along with Matt Younkle and Nathan Lustig. The Forward Festival is Madison’s flagship technology and entrepreneurship festival, and annually attracts over 5,000 attendees and includes 8 full days packed with 50+ events organized by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.

Whether participants are already plugged into the Midwest tech scene, or they’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to sample what the area has to offer, the Forward Festival is about bringing the technology and startup communities together to learn, share, and have some fun. The Forward Festival provides the rare opportunity to interact with professionals across a wide range of disciplines and at a variety of events. Join the Forward Festival every August as fellow entrepreneurs and creative professionals from the Midwest celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship.

It is important to SupraNet to provide opportunities for the public to come together to share ideas, share experiences and foster a stronger sense of community and partnership, and the Forward Festival serves as an outlet for such collaboration. For more information, click here! 

High Tech Happy Hour’s roots trace back to its inception in August 2001.  It was the visualization of Allen Dines, Craig Parson, and Al Hawkins.  Allen was just joining the UW-Madison’s University Industry Relations, and Craig and Al were recent grads from the Business School’s Wienert Center.  They recognized the fact that Madison had a growing high tech community, but lacked a gathering place where those involved could connect with each other for fun and business.  Thus, began High Tech Happy Hour.

The first HTHH drew about 30 people.  The concept was simple – no agenda, no fees, and no program – just people connecting with other people to leverage ideas and opportunities.  At the time, Allen, Al, and Craig gambled on the notion that sponsors would come forward to make these events possible.  The idea worked!  It is because of consistent support of these sponsors that HTHH has succeeded and grown to what it is today.

In July of 2005, SupraNet Communications, Yahara Software, and Applied Tech Solutions created an alliance and took over HTHH to ensure the continuation and culture of it.  Since this merger, HTHH has seen tremendous growth through a steady and loyal following.  Each event now draws upwards of 300-400 attendees – all interested in learning more about the high tech fields and making connections.

In January 2010, SupraNet Communication and Yahara Software took over sole ownership of High Tech Happy Hour.  Through their dedication and support, HTHH remains a solid foundation in the Madison community.  Every month draws new and old faces alike, and all those involved with HTHH couldn’t be happier with where things are heading! For more information, click here!

SupraNet Communications and Yahara Software, the hosts behind High Tech Happy Hour, have been brining PechaKucha presentations to the Greater Madison area since 2010 and joined forces with Monona Terrace in 2013 to present a unified PechaKucha Night Series to the community.

PechaKucha was devised in Toyko as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. What started out as a small presentation forum, has now turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide.  

Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit-chat”, it is usually pronounced in three syllables like “pe-chak-cha”. It rests on a presentation format in which content can be easily, efficiently and informally shown, based on the idea of: 20 images x 20 seconds. Under this format, a presenter shows 20 images for 20 seconds apiece, for a total time of 6 minutes, 40 seconds, which makes all the presentations concise and keeps things moving at a rapid pace. For more information, click here! 

Since 2013, SupraNet Communications, Inc. has offered complimentary wireless Internet at the Dane County Regional Airport complimentary wireless Internet. SupraNet replaced the previous system where travelers were required to purchase a daily, weekly or monthly Internet pass. The complimentary service allows the more than 1.8 million annual travelers to enjoy complimentary 10 Mbps wireless service; suitable for checking email and Web browsing.

SupraNet is providing the complimentary wireless Internet service at the airport as part of their Responsible Success core value. Giving back to the community is an important aspect of how SupraNet conducts business.  There are currently more than 35 access points throughout the airport to ensure coverage for travelers, with 40,000+ unique devices connecting on a monthly basis.

The Dane County Airport provides a high-quality and convenient option for both leisure and business travelers, with more than 100 flights arriving and departing daily. SupraNet is pleased to be able to offer both residents and visitors to Madison an easy and trustworthy airport Internet solution. For more information, click here!