Submitting a Proposal: NBIA Conference Sessions
Deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 12
NBIA’s 75-minute conference sessions will take place Monday, May 7, through Wednesday, May 9. Seven sessions run concurrently in each time block. There will be three session blocks on Monday and Tuesday and two session blocks on Wednesday. Please make sure you are able to present on any of the three days.
Before you fill out the online proposal form, please read the following information about the Audience Profile, Priority Topics, Session Format Options, Selection Criteria, Speaker Information and Proposal Process. Once you have reviewed this important information, you can submit your proposal by clicking on the link at the bottom of this page. If you have any questions, e-mail education@nbia.org or call (740) 593-4331.If you are interested in presenting during the conference but you aren't sure of what topic to propose, click here.
Audience Profile
NBIA conference attendees represent a broad spectrum of people engaged in entrepreneur support and new business growth, from incubator developers and managers to university officials and economic development professionals. Our attendees come from many types of communities and programs, and their perspectives and challenges vary greatly. The audience also reflects a range of experience levels, from longtime NBIA members to people who are just starting to investigate incubation. The conference attracts a significant number of international attendees, so we seek sessions with content that can be applied globally. Despite their differences, all attendees are looking for practical tools and techniques they can apply to their programs immediately. We strongly encourage presenters to ensure the information they share is broadly applicable and not unique to their specific programs.
Priority Topic Areas
There are certain topic areas we want to be sure to address during the conference. Please note: This list is not exclusive, as the conference will include sessions on a broad range of topics. However, we will offer sessions that fall into the following categories:
- Client Services — One of an incubator manager's most important tasks is helping clients achieve success, so we are especially interested in sessions that provide tips, tools and techniques for teaching entrepreneurs how to handle the various challenges of starting and growing a new business.
- Client Funding — All entrepreneurs must identify funding sources and revenue streams to get their companies off the ground, so we seek sessions that illustrate successful strategies for helping clients access capital, as well as sessions that highlight innovative funding sources.
- Incubator Funding — In addition to helping clients run successful businesses, incubator managers also must make sure their own programs are financially viable. We seek sessions that will help managers identify incubator funding options, tap into resources and generate revenue.
- International Programs — NBIA seeks proposals from international speakers from programs that have a proven track record of success. We want to know what you've accomplished, how you got to that point and how your success can be repeated in other incubation programs around the world. Be sure to mention tools and techniques that are broadly applicable to programs on a global level.
Session Format Options
You will have the opportunity to select one of three session format options on the proposal form. Please read over the descriptions of the format options and be sure to select the one that best suits your presentation. We need to clearly understand the format of your session as we will set up your room accordingly.
- Lecture — A 75-minute session featuring one to three speakers who present material as a public address. We ask presenters to reserve 15 to 20 minutes at the end of the session for audience questions. This format is best for sessions in which specific case studies, techniques or programs are presented as examples. The goal is to provide attendees with information and tools they can implement to improve their programs.
- Panel — A 75-minute session featuring three panelists who respond to a series of topical questions posed by a moderator. The audience should be given at least 20 minutes to ask questions of the panel. This format is a good way for people who have expertise in a specific area to share their perspectives.
- Roundtable Discussion — A 75-minute session in which a facilitator presents a brief 10 to 15 minute introduction to the topic and then leads an informal, interactive discussion with attendees. This format works best for sessions addressing common issues and situations that are conducive to active dialogue. Roundtable discussions do not include PowerPoint presentations.
Selection Criteria
NBIA seeks to fulfill the educational needs of our diverse audience by creating a balanced program that is comprehensive and reflects a multitude of perspectives. A session selection committee will review the proposals and make decisions based on the following criteria:
- Relevance to audience need. We look for sessions that address topics of interest to a large group of conference attendees. We also consider the diversity of the programs with which our attendees work and strive to offer a variety of sessions to meet those different needs.
- Quality of the proposal content. Because most of our audience members are practitioners (rather than academics), we select sessions that will provide tools and techniques people can implement in their own programs. Successful proposals will provide industry-specific examples and include – but not be limited to – case studies of programs with proven track records.
- Contribution to the overall conference content. As the selection committee discusses proposals, we will consider how the topic, format and specific content of a proposed session will fit into the overall scheme of the event. The selection committee will consider each proposal in the context of the overall conference, assessing how the topic, format and specific content fit with other sessions.
- Presenter qualifications. We seek presenters who communicate effectively through lively, organized and well-prepared presentations and helpful handouts. In reviewing a proposal, we consider the presenter's previous training/speaking experience and familiarity with the business incubation industry. In many cases, we also will contact references.
Speaker Information
- We welcome proposals from experienced presenters, international speakers and new voices who haven't spoken at our events previously.
- As a nonprofit association, NBIA is unable to offer remuneration for session presentations, so all session presenters must register for the conference and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Speakers who are able to participate in conference activities only on the day of their presentation may register for a one-day speaker rate of $200.
- Do not use the conference presentation as a vehicle to advertise products or services. Conference sessions are meant to provide information for industry professionals, not to make sales pitches. Attendees will be dissatisfied if they sense a presenter is providing promotional material for his or her own benefit.
- If your proposal is accepted, NBIA will ask you to provide an electronic copy of your PowerPoint presentation and other handouts in advance of the conference so we can provide them to attendees through a password-protected section on our Web site. By making the presentations available in advance, we give attendees the opportunity to come prepared with printed handouts. If handouts aren’t available in advance, attendees usually will express their displeasure during the session or on the evaluations.
Proposal Process
- The deadline for submitting a proposal is Wednesday, Oct. 12. NBIA will not consider proposals submitted after this date. The selection committee will hold several meetings to discuss proposals in the late fall. You will be notified of the committee’s decisions by Wednesday, Nov. 30.
- Selected speakers will receive further instructions and material deadlines in January 2012. Presentations will take place during NBIA’s 26th International Conference on Business Incubation, May 6-9, 2012, in Atlanta.
Click here to submit a proposal.
Contact NBIA
Phone: (740) 593-4331
Fax: (740) 593-1996
20 East Circle Drive, #37198
Athens, OH 45701-3751
info@nbia.org
If you would like additional information about hosting or participating in an NBIA event, send an e-mail to education@nbia.org.