Highlights & Activities

Sunday, April 1

Seattle Regional Tour
Explore the city and the beautiful area that surrounds it during a leisurely Sunday tour guided by a Seattle native. In the city, you’ll see the Locks, where ships pass from freshwater into the ocean, and some of Seattle’s most famous neighborhoods, including one of its oldest, Pioneer Square. Then you’ll head out to Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington’s most popular scenic destinations. Finally, enjoy some of the Northwest’s best wines at the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.
Fee: $94 (includes a box lunch and wine tasting)

Opening Reception and NBIA Expo
Once you’ve picked up your conference registration materials, stick around to meet up with old friends and make new ones during this conference kick-off party. While you’re mingling, check out the NBIA Expo, where you can browse through exhibitor displays and chat with company representatives about the latest products and services that can enhance your program.

Monday, April 2

Breakfast – First-Time Attendees Orientation and NBIA Expo
Are you new to the NBIA International Conference on Business Incubation? If you’d like some tips on how to make the most of your experience, don’t miss the conference orientation for newcomers. Seasoned conference veterans can use this time to wander through the NBIA Expo and chat with exhibitors. You never know what new and innovative products you might discover.

Keynote Address: Kathy Wilcox
During her 12-year tenure as president & CEO of WSA (formerly the Washington Software Alliance), Kathy Wilcox helped the nonprofit organization become the leading advocate for a pro-technology business climate in Washington state. With 1,000 member companies, WSA’s mission is to advance the economic value and global impact of technology companies, which play a critical role in the state’s economic development by employing approximately 11 percent of the population. Recently recognized as one of 20 “Women of Influence” by Puget Sound Business Journal, Wilcox retired from her post at WSA in December 2006, but continues to work as an advisor to for-profit and nonprofit businesses.

Accelerator Tour
The Accelerator, a privately held, venture-backed life science investment and development company that provides critical resources for start-up companies developing life-enhancing technologies, will host a tour and reception for all conference attendees. Located within a 165,000-square-foot facility owned and developed by an affiliate of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., the Accelerator occupies 18,000 square feet and features uniquely designed suites to provide each company with flexible and state-of-the-art laboratory/office space while fostering interaction with other companies and effective management by the Accelerator staff.

Tuesday, April 3

Keynote Address: Glen Hiemstra
As the founder of Futurist.com, a company focused on dissemination of information about the future and how to create it, Glen Hiemstra explores emerging trends in fields such as science, technology, economics, demographics, energy, the environment, education and transportation. As a frequent speaker, he encourages people to look for opportunities to shape the future. He also is a professional advisor for professional, business and governmental organizations, including Microsoft, Boeing and Ernst & Young. Hiemstra’s recent book, Turning the Future Into Revenue (2006), examines global changes that will revolutionize business and how individuals and organizations can profit from these developments.

NBIA Awards Luncheon
Join NBIA in recognizing the industry’s top incubation programs, clients and graduates. Honorees have made significant contributions to their communities, their economies and their industries, demonstrating the tremendous impact business incubation can have. Come see who’s setting industry trends.

International Reception
After two days full of educational conference sessions, you should be ready to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres in a relaxed setting. The conference draws incubation professionals from all over the world -- seek out colleagues from across the globe and learn about how incubation works in different countries.

Wednesday, April 4

Keynote Address: Jeffrey Brotman
Jeff Brotman is no stranger to business success. Since graduating from the University of Washington in Seattle, he has been a director at Seafirst Bank, Starbucks Coffee, the Sweet Factory and Garden Botanika. Brotman is perhaps best known, though, for co-founding the Costco Wholesale Corp. – the largest wholesale club operation in the United States – in 1983. In the early years, he focused on securing investment capital for the company. Since then, Brotman has worked to open warehouses across the country and world. Nearly 25 years since its founding, the corporation has 504 locations in seven countries.

 

Tacoma Incubator and City Tour
The conference officially ends at noon on Wednesday, but the fun doesn’t have to stop there – sign up for this optional trip to Tacoma. The afternoon will start with a tour and reception at the William M. Factory Small Business Incubator, a mixed-use facillity that serves local entrepreneurs with the goal of creating more jobs for the low-income population. From there, you’ll head to the Museum of Glass, which was inspired by the renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly and features contemporary art as well as live glassmaking demonstrations. When you’re finished in the museum, stroll across the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, a tunnel filled with Chihuly’s colorful glass forms, to downtown Tacoma, where you can enjoy dinner in one of the city’s unique restaurants before heading back to Seattle.
Fee: $89 (includes admission into Museum of Glass)