Preconference Institute and Activities

Add some focused, subject-specific training to your conference experience by participating in preconference workshops and activities. Please note that all fees listed are early-bird rates. Register by February 9 to take advantage of these rates.

International Trade Forum

Saturday, March 31
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Attendees interested in international trade issues should sign up for this preconference day trip to Tacoma. See international commerce in action during a tour of the Port of Tacoma, which handles a wide range of cargoes going to and from locations all over the world. After a continental breakfast at the port, head to the Tacoma Club, for sessions on trade-related issues, and a luncheon keynote address by Washington Lt. Gov. Brad Owen. Fee: $249 NBIA Members and Nonmembers The following sessions will be included:

• Managing Intellectual Property Risks in China
  Chinese entrepreneurs are notorious for ignoring copyrights and other IP protections, so companies entering the Chinese marketplace for the first time should be prepared. During this session, one of the first patent lawyers to practice in China and a representative from a U.S. law firm that specializes in IP protection will explain how companies should manage IP in foreign markets like China’s.
  William “Skip” Fisher, Shareholder, Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt, Seattle, Wash.
  Fred Liang, Attorney, China Science Patent & Trademark U.S., Bellevue, Wash.
  
  
• Breaking Into Exporting: Two Perspectives
  Entrepreneurs encounter many logistical and psychological challenges when breaking into foreign markets. During this session, representatives from companies of two distinctly different sizes will describe their personal journeys into the global marketplace and share the lessons they have learned.
  Hugh Carr, President, SCS Refrigerated Services, Seattle, Wash.
  Irl Davis, CEO, AD Electronics, Gig Harbor, Wash.
  
  
• Economic Development in Washington State
  The Puget Sound area is home to a number of small and medium-size companies, as well as five major clusters: aerospace, clean technology, information technology, life sciences and international trade. The executive director of the Puget Sound Regional Council will explain how local leaders created a plan to take advantage of these clusters to create 100,000 new jobs by 2010.
  Bob Drewel, Executive Director, Puget Sound Regional Council, Seattle, Wash.
  Bill Stafford, President, Greater Seattle Trade Development Alliance, Seattle, Wash.

Preconference Institute

Saturday, March 31

The Fundamentals of Incubator Management
9 a.m. - 5. p.m.
Managing an incubator involves a variety of responsibilities and expectations. Every program is subject to unique challenges, but there are some best practices and techniques nearly every manager can implement. This workshop will cover different aspects of incubator management, from defining a mission and governance structure to achieving financial self-sustainability. Specific topics will include working with a board of directors, establishing policies, recruiting clients, developing graduation criteria, generating revenue, handling leases and other agreements, and more.
Please Note: This workshop is a requirement of the new NBIA Incubator Management Certificate Program. Go to www.nbia.org/nbia_events/certificate/index.php to learn more about this program and its requirements.
Thea Chase Gilman, Assistant Professor of Business, Mesa State College, Grand Junction, Colo.
Fee: $349 NBIA Members/$399 Nonmembers

Sunday, April 1

Developing a Successful Incubator
9 a.m. - 5. p.m.
This comprehensive course addresses all aspects of incubator development and is essential for anyone just starting in the industry. The presenters have helped launch more than 30 incubation programs, and will draw from their experience to address topics such as needs assessments, incubator business plans, organizational structure, staffing and compensation, marketing and client recruitment, site assessment, and facility design. The workshop will provide case studies, the latest information about industry best practices, lists of key resources, sample documents and more. A perennial favorite, this workshop gives participants the chance to tap into the knowledge of respected industry experts.
Carol Lauffer, Principal, Business Cluster Development, Menlo Park, Calif.
Jim Robbins, Principal, Business Cluster Development, Menlo Park, Calif.
Fee: $349 NBIA Members/$399 Nonmembers

Serving Client Companies
9 a.m. - 5. p.m.
A good incubation program provides more than just facilities for start-up companies, it also offers the services and assistance entrepreneurs need to make their fledgling ventures successful. In this workshop, experienced incubator managers will explain how incubator managers can develop an effective lineup of client services. Specific topics will include teaching business basics, creating service provider networks, setting up financing programs, assisting clients in investment capital, sharing services and space, offering marketing assistance, and more. Please Note: This workshop is a requirement of the new NBIA Incubator Management Certificate Program. Go to www.nbia.org/nbia_events/certificate/index.php to learn more about this program and its requirements.
Adele Lyons, Program Director, Knight Foundation Community Partners, Biloxi, Miss.
Joel Wiggins, CEO & President, Enterprise Center of Johnson County, Lenexa, Kan.
Fee: $349 NBIA Members/$399 Nonmembers

Starting an Angel Organization
9 a.m. - 5. p.m.
Angel investors are often a significant source of financing for new companies, so helping clients connect with them is an important aspect of incubation. This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of the strategic and tactical steps involved in creating the angel group that best fits the characteristics and interests of a specific community. Developed by the Kauffman Foundation, this hands-on course will include expert presentations, small-group case studies and group discussion. All participants will receive an angel group guidebook and a resource CD with forms for conducting a community analysis.
Susan Preston, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City, Mo.
Fee: $349 NBIA Members/$399 Nonmembers

Accelerating Innovation: Tools for Commercialization
9 a.m. - 5. p.m.
Commercializing innovations is an important way to generate wealth, and with the right tool set, incubator managers can create a climate for innovation that connects researchers, entrepreneurs and investors. Find out how to effectively work with emerging technology companies and establish credibility in the commercialization arena. Participants will learn strategies for commercialization, how to evaluate entrepreneurial and commercial readiness, how to help clients create a fundable business plan, and five approaches to assigning value to a venture.
H. Randall Goldsmith, President & CEO, Mississippi Technology Alliance, Ridgeland, Miss.
Fee: $349 NBIA Members/$399 Nonmembers

Achieving Incubator Sustainability Through Client Success
9 a.m. - 5. p.m.
During this workshop, a longtime incubation professional will discuss the tools he has developed over nearly two decades as an incubator manager to help clients succeed and ensure his incubator’s sustainability. He will share sample documents and explain the educational events, advisory services and coaching techniques that have played a part in attracting $150 million of equity investment and creating more than 1200 jobs. Participants also will learn three important advisory techniques to accelerate incubator and client growth by resolving revenue, leadership and financial challenges.
Mark Schaffner, President & CEO, The Ben Craig Center, Charlotte, N.C.
Fee: $349 NBIA Members/$399 Nonmembers

Cultivating a Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
9 a.m. - 5. p.m.
This workshop will focus on an economic development program designed to connect entrepreneurs with the resources they need to achieve national or global success. Presenters will explain how you can create a “venture community” by gathering a committee of investors, established CEOs, service providers and others and engaging them in the work of supporting start-up companies. This is just part of the eight-step program that fosters an environment where entrepreneurship and innovation thrive.
Jon Gregory, President & CEO, Golden State Capital Network, Chico, Calif.
Ira Wolfe, Chair, LancasterProspers Entrepreneur Committee, Lancaster, Penn.
Fee: $349 NBIA Members/$399 Nonmembers

A Measured Approach to Developing Incubator Best Practices
8 a.m. - Noon
During this workshop, participants will be able to measure the performance of their incubation programs against industry best practices and create an action plan for improvement. By the end of the course, participants will have a profile of program strengths and weaknesses, a prioritized action plan for addressing the issues identified, and a roadmap for continuous improvement toward implementing best practices. Please Note: Workshop attendees must bring their own laptops.
Keith Phillips, President, QLBS, Auckland, New Zealand
Fee: $249 NBIA Members/$299 Nonmembers