Highlights

Keynote Speakers

	Monday, April 29 Plenary Breakfast Keynote Address Dinah Adkins, President and CEO of the National Business Incubation Association
	Monday, April 29 Plenary Breakfast Keynote Address Robert Birgeneau, President, University of Toronto
	Tuesday, April 30 Plenary Breakfast Keynote Address Dr. Masao Horiba, Director General of Japan Association of Business Incubation Organizations
	Tuesday, April 30 Luncheon Keynote Address Jana Matthews, President/CEO of Boulder Quantum Ventures.

Opening Reception
Sunday, April 28
8 to 10 p.m.

An opening reception will mark the official start of Conference 2002. Pick up your registration packet, and then enjoy light refreshments while you check out the offerings in the NBIA Bookstore and the exhibit area. And what would an NBIA reception be without the opportunity for information sharing? NBIA's Connecting Point will make it easy to network, network, network with peers who share your interests.

Awards Luncheon
Monday, April 29
12:15 to 2:15 p.m.

Join us at Monday's luncheon for the annual NBIA awards ceremony. NBIA will announce the winners of this year's hard-won honors: Incubator of the Year; Outstanding Incubator Clients; Outstanding Incubator Graduates, sponsored by Turnstone, a Steelcase Compnay; the Innovation award, sponsored by the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership; and the Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year, an award endowed by The Friends of University City Science Center.

Poster Board Presentations
Monday, April 29
6 to 8:30 p.m.

Want to share your incubation success story with colleagues but unsure of how to go about it? Use a poster board presentation to break the ice with other conference attendees and start building valuable relationships. This year, NBIA has designated a block of time for registrants to display poster boards that showcase their work. Charts, graphs and photos are especially effective. Just be sure to set aside a place for your business cards (and bring plenty of them!). Space is limited, so download an application form today (available in Word format or as a PDF file). Or, e-mail education@nbia.org, and we'll send an application form to you.

International Gala
Monday, April 29
6:30 to 8:30

Get to know your colleagues while you enjoy fare from around the globe. Co-sponsored by the Japan Association of New Business Incubation Organizations and the Chinese Business Incubator Association, this event is sure to bring international flavor to a truly international conference. Take this opportunity to meet up with old friends while making new ones and enjoy a wide range of tasty treats.

Virtual Visit to Toronto Incubators
Tuesday, April 30
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Take a break after conference sessions by attending the Toronto Business Development Centre's (TBDC) Virtual Visit to Toronto Incubators. The venue for the virtual visit is one of Toronto's Heritage Landmarks, Steam Whistle Brewing. Stretch your legs with a short walk from the Fairmont Royal York to the brewery, housed in a converted Canadian Pacific Railway roundhouse. Our conference hosts, TBDC, will welcome you in the Beer Hall, where you'll enjoy refreshments while taking a spectacular video tour — with 360-degree panoramas — of Toronto and its incubators. Learn about the TBDC and the University of Toronto's technology accelerator, The Exceler@tor. See for yourself the innovations in incubation taking place in Canada's most exciting and cosmopolitan city.

Venture Capital Forum
Wednesday, May 1
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Are your clients ready for equity investments? Come watch real-life incubator clients pitch their companies to our panel of venture capital professionals. Find out what it takes to secure the money your clients need as our panel critiques, advises and evaluates companies.

The NBIA Bookstore

The NBIA Bookstore has long been one of the most popular features of Conference. Take this opportunity to browse — in person — through the selections we offer year-round online and through our catalog. You'll find new titles and industry classics. As a special conference bonus, we'll offer members a deeper discount than the everyday low member rate. The bookstore will be open throughout the conference, so don't miss this opportunity to stock up at some of the lowest prices of the year.

Exhibits

Conference 2002 exhibitors will connect you with some of the latest products and services to help your organization and your clients. Be sure to include some time with the exhibitors as part of your conference schedule. Representatives from more than 20 companies will be on hand to share their services and expertise. Many exhibitors have special programs or offers for NBIA members, so make sure to mention that you're a member. Exhibits will be open throughout Conference.

The Connecting Point

Looking for someone? Need something to do? NBIA's membership department will again staff a booth to help attendees connect with one another, the industry and the Association. Here are just a few reasons why you'll want to stop by The Connecting Point: