NBIA's 19th International Conference on Business Incubation

NBIA Forum Meetings

NBIA Forums: Meet, Network and Learn

Are you a new incubator manager seeking guidance? An incubator developer interested in funding sources for incubators in the United States? Perhaps you're looking for ways to link your incubator and its clients with incubators and markets in another country. If you’d like to meet and share information with other professionals who have similar interests, don't miss NBIA's Forum meetings. Nearly a dozen special-interest groups will gather during NBIA's conference to talk about concerns and successes. Any conference attendee is welcome to attend these meetings; Forum membership on a continuing basis is a benefit of NBIA membership. For more information about NBIA Forums, visit www.nbia.org/resource_center/forums.

The forum meeting schedule is:

Monday, May 16

Forum: Attracting Homeland and National Security Business to Your Incubator and Its Clients (10:45 a.m.)

At this NBIA Forum discussion, gain information that will help you tap into growing demand for security technology and services that could mean additional revenue streams for your incubator and its clients. Learn practical ways to serve this market and find out about an incubator network being established as a gateway to federal and corporate contracts and grants.
Moderators: John Elstner, CEO, Chesapeake Innovation Center, Annapolis, Md.
Mark Sauter, COO, Chesapeake Innovation Center, Annapolis, Md.

Forum: Challenges in Technology Incubation (2:15 p.m.)

Are you trying to access laboratory space or support client companies developing complex products? Technology incubation professionals will identify critical issues and help find solutions to problems during this NBIA Forum discussion. NBIA Technology Incubation Forum members will continue the discussion online after the conference.
Moderator: Gary Evans, CEO, ANGLE Technology Group, Charlottesville, Va.

Tuesday, May 17

Forum: How New Incubator Managers Can Foster Entrepreneurial Communities (9 a.m.)

Are you a new incubator manager interested in expanding your community's resources for entrepreneurs? Participate in this NBIA Forum discussion to learn ways your incubation program can become a hub for entrepreneurial training, locate well-connected champions and investors, and create a healthy entrepreneurial climate in your community.
Moderator: Morris Windhorst, President & CEO, Muncie Innovation Connector, Muncie, Ind.

Forum: Incubating Arts and Creative Industries (10:45 a.m.)

This NBIA Forum discussion will focus on arts and creative industry incubators in the United Kingdom and the United States. Whether you're already involved in this industry segment or just starting to consider its potential impact on your community's economic development, join this discussion to learn from experts.
Moderators: Mary Kahn Davis, President, Arts Incubation Development Inc., Metairie, La.
Sheila Hoogeboom, Program Manager, Center for Design & Business, Providence, R.I.
Toni Wanklin, Development Manager, UK Business Incubation, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Forum: International Linkages -- Turning Rhetoric Into Reality, Part 1 (2:15 p.m.)

Your incubation program can help entrepreneurs start enterprises outside their home countries. This NBIA Forum discussion will offer examples of successful partnerships in developing and developed regions, explore options for international incubation, and suggest ways to mobilize government support for financing international linkages.
Moderators: Mary Spaeth, Manager, East Sweden Development Agency, Linkoping, Sweden
Rustam Lalkaka, President, Business & Technology Development Strategies LLC, New York, N.Y.

Forum: Keys to Incubation Success in Rural Areas (2:15 p.m.)

Join this NBIA Forum discussion to learn about best practices and programming for incubators in rural areas. Find out how rural programs can create support through public/private partnerships, increase your knowledge of creative fundraising, and discuss the incubator’s role in leading rural economic development.
Moderator: Jeffrey Garrett, Executive Director, Venture Out Business Center, Madison, Ind.

Forum: International Linkages -- Turning Rhetoric Into Reality, Part 2 (4 p.m.)

Forum: Issues Affecting University-Affiliated Incubators (4 p.m.)

This NBIA Forum discussion will cover university incubation as a focus for local and regional economic development, finding the right mix of university- and community-based businesses, minimizing costs of protecting intellectual property, and working with university technology transfer offices, among other topics.
Moderator: Tom O'Neal, CEO, University of Central Florida Technology Incubator, Orlando, Fla.

Wednesday, May 18

Forum: Tribal Economic Development Challenges (9 a.m.)

Many Native American communities are considering business incubation and entrepreneurship support as economic development strategies. This discussion will share ways these communities cope with myriad challenges, such as rural locations and limited access to capital, as they strive to improve their economic health.
Moderator: Lisa Ison, President, The New Century Venture Center, Roanoke, Va.

Forum: Critical Issues in Life Sciences Incubation (10:45 a.m.)

Join this structured NBIA Forum discussion of critical issues facing life sciences incubators. Topics will include identifying community support, accessing capital for life science companies at all stages of development, meeting specialized facility and equipment needs, and lease agreement considerations. Participants will decide discussion topics.
Moderator: Patti Breedlove, Incubator Manager, Sid Martin Biotechnology Development Institute, Alachua, Fla.