Highlights & Activities

Keynote Speakers | Colonial Williamsburg Tour | Networking Dinner | Opening Reception | Gala Reception — Virginia Museum of Fine Arts | Awards Luncheon | NBIA Forums Luncheon | Richmond Incubators Walking Tour | Atlanta Kickoff Breakfast |Venture Capital Forum | Berkeley Plantation Tour | Connecting Point | NBIA Bookstore | Exhibits

Keynote Speakers

	Monday, May 19 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Grand Ballroom Ernesto Sirolli, President and Founder, Sirolli Institute, International Enterprise Facilitation Inc.
	Tuesday, May 20 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Grand Ballroom Ren C. Luo, President of National Chung Cheng University
	Tuesday, May 20 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Grand Ballroom Mark Rice, Murata Dean of the F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Babson College
	Wednesday, May 21 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Grand Ballroom Kyle Williams, General Manager, Turnstone, A Steelcase Company

Colonial Williamsburg Tour
Sunday, May 18
10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

You’ll take a step back in time when you visit Colonial Williamsburg, which has been meticulously restored to its 18th century charm. Learn about the life of colonists and leading citizens such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. Enjoy a real taste of history at the King’s Arms Tavern, with lunch served by waiters in colonial attire and serenades by balladeers. Following lunch continue your guided tour and shop for Pre-Revolutionary souvenirs–three-cornered hats, candles, soaps and pewter. For more information on Colonial Williamsburg visit www.history.org.
Fee: $118 (includes all admissions, tours and lunch)

Networking Dinner
Sunday, May 18
6 p.m.

Network with colleagues from around the globe! Welcome old friends and meet new ones before attending Conference 2003’s opening reception. Mix business with pleasure at this event—bring along business cards and a hearty appetite.
Fee: $60

Opening Reception
Sunday, May 18
8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The opening reception will mark the official start of Conference 2003. Pick up your registration packet, then enjoy light refreshments while you check out the offerings in the NBIA Bookstore and 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.

Gala Reception—Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Monday, May 19
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

After a busy day at the conference, relax with friends at one of the country’s great art museums. Renowned for a stellar collection of art nouveau and art deco, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the perfect place to unwind. With an inviting sculpture garden and a wealth of masterpieces from around the world, you’ll have plenty to see along with an array of tasty treats to enjoy.

Awards Luncheon
Monday, May 19
Noon to 2 p.m.

Join us at this luncheon for the annual NBIA Incubation Awards ceremony. NBIA will announce the winners of this year’s hard-won honors: Incubator of the Year, Outstanding Incubator Client, Outstanding Incubator Graduate, the Incubator Innovation Award and the Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year. Sponsors of this year’s NBIA Incubation Awards are Turnstone, a Steelcase company; Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation; and The Friends of University City Science Center.

Following the NBIA Incubation Awards ceremony, the Virginia Business Incubation Association (VBIA) will announce the winner of the Donna Noble Award. VBIA annually presents this award to an outstanding client company of one of 27 Virginia incubation programs.

NBIA Forums Luncheon
Tuesday, May 20

NBIA’s newest member benefit, forums facilitate exchanges of knowledge, experience and information among members with a common interest in a particular aspect of business incubation. We’ve designated this time as a working lunch during which attendees can help create new forums reflecting their shared concerns. (Though only members may join forums, everyone can participate in this introductory event.) Forums can extend the conference experience year-round by helping you keep up with the latest developments and professional activities in your field. Forums also can help you keep up with the people you meet at NBIA events. We’ll have tables marked indicating possible forum topics, so sit at a table that reflects your interests.

Richmond Incubators Walking Tour
Tuesday, May 20
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This evening the spotlight will shine on AdvanTech, Richmond International Business Center and the Virginia Biosciences Development Center, all located in the heart of downtown Richmond. At each incubator facility, incubator staff will introduce you to clients and brief you on their latest innovations. Light refreshments featuring Virginian products will punctuate each stop. Choose either to walk or take a bus and see for yourself what’s happening at Richmond’s top incubation programs.

Atlanta Kickoff Breakfast
Wednesday, May 21
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Find out what's in store next year in Atlanta, the site for NBIA Conference 2004. Learn about the host incubator Advanced Technology Development Center, headquartered at Georgia Institute of Technology. Don't miss the Atlanta Kickoff Breakfast — it'll whet your appetite for next year's conference!

Venture Capital Forum
Wednesday, May 21
12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Are your clients ready for equity investments? Find out what your clients must demonstrate to investors to secure the funds that will take their businesses to the next level. This event will feature real-life incubator clients pitching their companies to a panel of venture capital professionals. Find out what VCs look for and learn how to prepare your clients to get the funding they need. The Venture Capital Forum of Richmond, Va. and EntreNet, an entrepreneurial resource center in downtown Richmond, have combined resources and expertise to organize this high-profile event.

Berkeley Plantation Tour and Dinner
Wednesday, May 21
3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Enjoy a scenic drive to the Berkeley Plantation, Virginia’s most historic plantation. William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States, was born at Berkeley Plantation. His father, Benjamin Harrison, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and three-time governor of Virginia. Following a guided tour of the house you will enjoy a delicious meal at the acclaimed Coach House Tavern in an elegant and relaxing atmosphere. For more information on Berkeley Plantation visit www.berkeleyplantation.com.
Fee: $115 (includes all admissions, tours and dinner)

Connecting Point

Looking for someone? Need something to do? Want to know more about member forums, NBIA’s newest member service? NBIA’s membership department will 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:

• Color-code your name badge to show everyone the type(s) of incubation programs you want to talk about


• Post or retrieve messages


• Buy or sell extra tickets to optional conference activities


• Pick up information about NBIA and the business incubation industry


• Join a member forum or find out how to establish a new one

NBIA Bookstore

Come browse through more than 80 titles on business incubation, entrepreneurship, economic development and more. You’ll find new titles, industry classics and some fun new products, too. As a special conference offer, members will receive a deeper discount than the everyday low member rate. Stock your bookshelves at some of the lowest prices of the year.

Exhibits

Conference 2003 exhibitors will connect you with some of the latest products and services to assist your organization and your clients. 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 remember to mention that you’re a member. Be sure to include some time with the exhibitors as part of your conference schedule.