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Preconference Institute

On Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, NBIA will once again assemble a first-class array of trainers to lead six preconference workshops, providing quality instruction along with plenty of time to discuss issues important to you and your program. Whether you want to learn all the ins and outs of starting an incubation program in your community or are looking for information specific to special-focus programs, jump start your learning curve by attending one of the following workshops.

Saturday, April 27

Following a successful session at NBIA's 2001 Fall Training Institute, Lynne Pastor, principal analyst at Inflection Point Consulting, will offer an expanded study of financial analysis for incubator managers and others who advise clients. The workshop will prepare participants to evaluate clients' business models and financial requirements by focusing on four key topics that are critical for the success of any firm: venture feasibility, writing financial projections, evaluating funding needs and options, and valuing equity stakes.

Participants who need an introduction to the basics of financial statement analysis can attend a half-day session on Saturday that will introduce financial statement vocabulary and provide an overview of the four topics. On Sunday, Pastor will expand on those topics in a full-day session for practitioners already familiar with the basics of financial statement analysis (as well as participants who got up to speed on Saturday). Choose to attend either or both sessions.

Sunday, April 28

Analyzing Clients' Financial Needs
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Part two of a two-part workshop)

Following a successful session at NBIA's 2001 Fall Training Institute, Lynne Pastor, principal analyst at Inflection Point Consulting, will offer an expanded study of financial analysis for incubator managers and others who advise clients. The workshop will prepare participants to evaluate clients' business models and financial requirements by focusing on four key topics that are critical for the success of any firm: venture feasibility, writing financial projections, evaluating funding needs and options, and valuing equity stakes.

Developers' Prep Course
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Developing a business incubation program, either for profit or nonprofit, can be a complex undertaking. Jonathan Gorham will present the acclaimed Developers' Prep Course, which will cover how to conduct a feasibility study and develop a business plan, locate and attract prospective clients, create a self-sufficient incubator, and achieve intended goals. Gorham will explain how incubator managers can effectively use the Web to market their programs and help clients achieve success. Whether you're in the conceptual stage or walready knee deep in development, you can't afford to miss this workshop. Gorham, president of Gorham Associates, has taught incubator feasibility and management techniques to more than 1,500 private developers and economic development professionals since 1991.

NBIA has teamed up with the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership to offer a new entrepreneurship education program for economic development professionals. Come to this workshop to gain important perspective on the value of homegrown entrepreneurship — then impart what you learn to your stakeholders. Better yet, bring them to this workshop! Instructors will touch on the benefits of supporting a community's entrepreneurial economy, findings of entrepreneurship research (including the Regional Entrepreneurship Catalyst study of U.S. labor market areas), and assessing your town's or region's entrepreneurial environment. The Kauffman Center will offer an expanded five-day follow-up course in mid-2002 based on the groundwork of this workshop.

This workshop debuted at our 2001 Fall Training Institute in Denver. Then, using attendee feedback, trainer Jim Greenwood worked with NBIA to fine tune the format. Using new methods and tools, this workshop will allow managers and board members of operating incubators to conduct an evaluation of their programs and begin the process of resolving areas of weakness in their operations. The workshop is based on an incubator self-evaluation tool developed by NBIA to help managers and stakeholders of established incubators conduct quick but comprehensive evaluations of their programs. The workshop will be a creative blend of lectures, individual work and group discussions. Brainstorming activities will help participants begin the process of finding solutions to the issues uncovered during the workshop. Greenwood, president of Greenwood Consulting Group, has presented at nearly every NBIA conference since 1989.

University-based incubators stand to benefit faculty, students and communities. These programs reflect universities' increasing emphasis on technology transfer through start-up companies, a growing entrepreneurial spirit among faculty and the attractiveness of university linkages for new technology companies. This workshop will focus on four topics: the emergence of the "engaged" university; the role of early-stage capital in university entrepreneurship and incubation; work with university technology transfer offices; and how to fit an incubator into the fabric of higher education. Highlighting recent research, the workshop will show how incubators can become integral to universities' economic development, educational and research efforts. Presenters include Louis Tornatzky of the Southern Technology Council and Sam Florance, director of the Purdue Gateways Program at Purdue University. Additional speakers will be announced.

City Tour of Toronto
12:15 - 5:30 p.m.

Attend an extracurricular bus tour of Toronto as part of our preconference activities. You'll visit the city from the top of the CN Tower, the world's tallest freestanding structure, and visit Casa Loma, an early-1900s castle. Tour price includes a cocktail at the CN Tower, all admission fees and transportation.

Networking Dinner
6 - 8 p.m.

Welcome old friends and meet new ones before attending the opening
reception. Mix business with pleasure at this event — bring along business
cards, Palm Pilots, lessons learned and burning questions that you'd like
answered. The tables will be set family-style, and we'll make it easy for
you to find a table with people who share your interests in business
incubation.
Cost: $50 per person

Opening Reception
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.