For years ETEC members have met in Oak Ridge nearly every Friday from 7:30-8:30 a.m. in the UT Outreach Center. In March of 2020, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, meetings were moved online to the Zoom Pro Conferencing platform. As of August 6, 2021, the meetings have now shifted to a hybrid format, with an option for attendees to participate either in-person or via Zoom. All members and their guests are welcome to attend. Registration is required for the Zoom meeting, but NOT for in-person attendance.

ETEC always invites speakers to share interesting and pertinent information about the community, science, technology, special initiatives, and other fascinating topics. The audience includes leaders from the business, federal, and contractor communities. Attendance ranges from 75-125 people each week.

The meetings begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. and end right at 8:30 a.m. The online meeting is open for attendees to gather at 7:15 and breakout rooms are available for networking directly after the meeting. All cameras stay on unless the attendee turns them off. Microphones are on until they are muted by the host for the duration of the meeting. Screen sharing is allowed for the host and speaker(s) only. Q&A is facilitated by the ETEC Chairman through the chat feature.

Those attending in person usually arrive at the UT Outreach Center around 7:15 to network. Attire is usually business casual. Coffee and breakfast-type snacks are provided at no charge. Since ETEC meets in a University of Tennessee facility, we are required to follow UT protocol as well as recommendations made by the CDC. The University is requiring that masks be worn in all classrooms, laboratories, instructional spaces, and at any indoor event.