Conference Sessions

With more than 50 sessions to choose from, including lectures, panels and roundtable discussions, NBIA’s 2008 conference will offer something for everyone.

Sessions marked with a qualify as meeting requirements for the NBIA Incubator Management Certificate Program. Click here for more information about program requirements.

Monday, May 5

Sessions 9-10:15 a.m.

Technology Clusters: Accelerating Science-Driven Start-Ups and Convergence Innovation

Collaboration between Alexandria and MaRS in Toronto has led to a new model for science and technology clusters. Learn the 10 critical success factors in replicating their formula for accelerating science-based start-ups and amplifying commercialization outcomes through convergence innovation.
Joel Marcus, Chairman/CEO, Alexandria Equities LLC, Pasadena, Calif.
Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District, Toronto, Canada
Moderator: Keelin O’Leary, Manager, Genesis Centre, St. John’s, Canada

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Understanding EDA Funding Requirements

Many incubators qualify for funding through the U.S. Economic Development Administration, but the application process can be difficult and confusing. Two managers who have secured EDA funding will share their experiences, and an EDA representative will explain the government’s requirements and expectations.
Gina Boesch, Director, New Jersey City University, Jersey City, N.J.
Jim Currie, ATECH Program Director, Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center, Ohio State University, Wooster, Ohio
Edward Hummel, Economic Development Representative, Economic Development Administration Philadelphia Regional Office, Philadelphia, Pa.
Moderator: Jeff Milanette, President, Innovative Partners, Westfield, N.J.

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Incubating Environmental and Clean Technology Start-Ups

Growing demand for clean technology and environmental solutions is creating opportunities for incubators to attract new businesses and increase revenue. Discover the advantages of forming an environmental incubator or developing a clean tech or green focus for an existing incubator.
Carol Lauffer, Partner, Business Cluster Development, Palo Alto, Calif.
Jim Robbins, Executive Director, Environmental Business Cluster, San Jose, Calif.

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Is There a Market for Your Services?

Whether you’re starting a new incubator or running an existing program, you could benefit from assessing your regional market opportunities. Learn how to identify value propositions, assess historic trends and current market conditions, understand competitive forces, and more.
Chuck Wolfe, President, Claggett Wolfe Associates, Auburn, Calif.
Moderator: Bettie Edwards Murchison, President and CEO, W.E.B. DuBois Community Development Corporation, Wake Forest, N.C.

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The Right IT and Telephony Infrastructure for Your Facility

This session will explore how incubators can offer IT and telephony services that meet client needs and generate revenue. Presenters will explain different service options, discuss management implications and talk about the future of technology.
Mike Dailey, Executive Director, Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Frederick, Md.
Evan Jones, Head of Digital & Incubation, Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff, United Kingdom
Moderator: Devron Veasley, Director, Bessemer Business Incubation System, Bessemer, Ala.

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Trends in Business Incubation

Based on results from NBIA’s 2006 State of the Business Incubation Industry study, this session will explore trends in incubator programming, services and facilities. A summary of the outcomes will demonstrate how the business incubation industry is changing.
Dinah Adkins, President and CEO, National Business Incubation Association, Athens, Ohio

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Creating a Mobile/Associate Tenant Program

“I don’t need an office, I need help!” You can assist more clients (and sometimes generate additional revenue) by offering services to nonresident entrepreneurs. Learn creative ways to offer services through a variety of programs, which may even include a mobile unit.
Jim Bowie, Executive Director, Columbus Regional Technology Incubator, Columbus, Ga.
Charles D’Agostino, Executive Director, Louisiana Business & Technology Center, Baton Rouge, La.
Moderator: Lou Cooperhouse, Director, Rutgers Food Innovation Center, New Brunswick, N.J.

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Sessions 10:45 a.m.-noon

Harvesting and Exit Strategies: How to Sell a Business

This session will focus on helping incubator managers understand how clients can prepare their businesses for sale, including forming strategies to maximize profits, identifying buyers, managing the contract and due diligence process, assessing valuation, establishing negotiations and more.
Jim Sanders, Director of New Ventures, Honeywell Technology Solutions, Columbia, Md.
Moderator: Kyle Harfst, Interim Executive Director, Southern Illinois Research Park, and Director of Technology & Enterprise Development, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill.

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Helping Your Clients Prepare for Successful Financing

Clients at the Advanced Technology Development Center have a strong record of fundraising. Discover how you can implement some of ATDC’s innovative strategies and programs to assist your clients with fundraising assessment, development and preparation.
Cindy Cheatham, Director of Business Development, Advanced Technology Development Center, Atlanta, Ga.
Charles Ross, Acting General Manager, Advanced Technology Development Center, Atlanta, Ga.
Moderator: Doug Lee, Managing Director, Wesst Enterprise Center, Albuquerque, N.M.

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Effective Tools for Technology Commercialization

This session will provide incubator managers with resources to support and accelerate the commercialization of new technologies. The presenter will cover topics such as evaluating potential clients, determining where an entrepreneur is in the innovation process, designing a go-to-market strategy and more.
H. Randall Goldsmith, President and CEO, Mississippi Technology Alliance, Ridgeland, Miss.
Moderator: DeAnna Adams, Executive Director, MTA Innovation Center, Jackson, Miss.

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Forming Strong Partnerships to Better Serve Clients

Effective communication and a strong state incubator association have led to successful networking and better entrepreneurial support in Oklahoma. Learn how four organizations have collaborated to offer clients small business lending advice, education and training, research, incubator space and more.
Peter Abramo, Executive Director, Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies, Cameron University, Lawton, Okla.
Ron Duggins, Coordinator, James W. Strate Center for Business Development, Autry Technology Center, Enid, Okla.
Sherry Harlin, Business Development Director, Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Durant, Okla.
Rana Steeds, Economic Development Specialist, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Moderator: Scott Dean, State Coordinator, Small Business Development Services, Oklahoma Department of Career & Technology Education, Stillwater, Okla.

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Successful Business Plan Competitions

Holding business plan competitions is one way to attract potential clients while increasing community awareness of your program. Two managers who run annual competitions will explain the planning process and share tips for success.
Angela Crane-Jones, Assistant Director, Nashville Business Incubation Center, Nashville, Tenn.
Bonnie Herron, Executive Director, Gwinnett Innovation Park, Norcross, Ga.
Moderator: W. Hope Player, Managing Member, The Arcadian Group, Rochelle Park, N.J.

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Designing a Green Incubator

Whether you are building new or renovating, attend this session to pick up tips on sustainable design. The speaker, head of a leading green architecture firm, will share his knowledge of environmentally efficient design and strategies you can apply to your facility.
Bert Gregory, FAIA, President & CEO, Mithun, Seattle, Wash.
Moderator: Mark Loschiavo, Executive Director, Laurence A. Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa.

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Helping Clients Enter Global Markets

Help your clients enter global markets by learning from best practices at the US Market Access Center, a program that helps international businesses establish operations in the U.S., and TechBa, an international accelerator that assists Mexican companies as they expand internationally.
Chuck Erickson, Executive Director & CEO, US Market Access Center, San Jose, Calif.
Luis Medina, CEO, TechBA Austin, Austin, Texas
Moderator: Bob Cohen, CEO & Director of Business Assistance, Braintree Center for Business Innovation, Mansfield, Ohio

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Forum: New Managers

When you’re new to the field, the many varied tasks of managing an incubator can be overwhelming. Join other new managers to discuss how to work with clients, operate a financially viable incubator, maintain realistic program expectations and more.
Moderator: Linda Clark, Director, Ohio University Innovation Center, Athens, Ohio

Sessions 2:15-3:30 p.m.

25 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became an Incubator Manager

Many people don’t know what they’re getting into when they start the unique job of managing an incubator. This panel of experienced industry professionals will share tips for managing incubation programs so you don’t have to repeat their mistakes.
Ed Hobbs, General Manager, Toronto Business Development Centre, Toronto, Canada
Marie Longserre, President & CEO, Santa Fe Business Incubator, Santa Fe, N.M.
Moderator: Jim Greenwood, President, Greenwood Consulting Group, Sanibel, Fla.

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Lessons From the Front Lines: Developing a Successful Incubator

Are you developing an incubator? Learn the dos and don’ts of incubator development and lessons learned through the firsthand experiences of managers who have launched successful programs. Topics will include site selection, securing funding, managing stakeholders, recruiting clients and more.
Carol Lauffer, Partner, Business Cluster Development, Palo Alto, Calif.
Scott Perry, Executive Director, Defense and Security Technology Accelerator, Fayetteville, N.C.
Megan Reichert, Director, Clean and Alternative Energy Incubator, Toledo, Ohio

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Helping Entrepreneurs Avoid Common Mistakes in Writing Business Plans

Good business plans are important tools for entrepreneurs seeking funding and stakeholders. Discover how to steer clients away from common pitfalls in business plan development, including poor organization, overly optimistic assumptions, inadequate information on marketing and sales strategies, and more.
Booker Schmidt, Executive Director, Gainesville Technology Enterprise Center, Gainesville, Fla.
Moderator: Michel Bitritto, President, New Jersey Business Incubation Network, Newark, N.J.

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Turning Engineers Into Entrepreneurs: Tips for Technology Incubator Managers

Many technology companies are led by scientists or engineers who have a product to commercialize but lack entrepreneurial experience. Presenters will explore the unique challenges of working with such clients and offer possible solutions to issues they face.
Gordon Hogan, Business Development Executive, University of Central Florida Technology Incubator, Orlando, Fla.
Tom O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.
Moderator: Joel Stevenson, Jr., Director, USC/Columbia Technology Incubator, Columbia, S.C.

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Creating Successful Business Models for Incubators

Achieving financial sustainability is a key goal for most incubation programs. During this session, presenters from Europe and the U.S. will describe successful incubator business models, explain methods for creating income streams and share best practices for establishing partnerships.
Marc Hamburger, CEO, StartZentrum Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Christina Reddin, Executive Director, The Business Incubator Center, Grand Junction, Colo.
Moderator: Lisa Smith, Principal, ANGLE Technology, Charlottesville, Va.

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Tracking Economic Impact

Evaluating the success of clients and graduates can demonstrate the economic impact of your program. Showing positive results helps retain stakeholders, gain fundraising opportunities and enhance marketing. Find out how collecting the right information can increase your program's — and the industry's — credibility.
Neil Davis, Vice President of Operations, Emerging Technology Centers, Baltimore, Md.
Skip Farrar, Manager: Business Development, Southern California Edison, Irwindale, Calif.
Sam Funchess, President & CEO, Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, Greensboro, N.C.
Moderator: Tracy Kitts, Vice President and COO, National Business Incubation Association, Athens, Ohio

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Global Update: Asia

Speakers will share information on the state of the business incubation industry in Asia. Topics will include demographic trends, challenges and other issues incubators face, and practices specific to different Asian nations.
R.M.P. Jawahar, Vice President, Indian STEP and Business Incubator Association, Noida, India
Robert S.Q. Lai, Director General, Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Taipei, Taiwan
Han Mingyuan, Vice Director, Shanghai Technology Innovation Center, Shanghai, China
Moderator: Annuar Mohd Saffar, President, Kulim Technology Management, Kulim, Malaysia

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Forum: Rural

Incubators in rural areas face unique challenges. Join with others who operate similar programs to discuss the Small Business Administration’s definition of rural; the use of Internet resources; how to develop university partnerships, get products to market, and more.
Moderator: Ken Norris, Program Manager, Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Durant, Okla.

Tuesday, May 6

Sessions 9-10:15 a.m.

Raising Millions of Dollars for Your Incubator

Securing the money you need to operate your incubator can be difficult, but not impossible. Learn the five components of a successful fundraising campaign — from identifying prospective stakeholders to articulating your case — and how to implement them at your program.
Chuck Stein, President, Strategic Development Services, Columbus, Ohio
Moderator: David Cattey, Retired Executive Director, TechColumbus, Columbus, Ohio

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Building Successful Bioscience Programs and Companies

Beyond the usual challenges faced by any start-up, bioscience entrepreneurs must deal with large capital requirements, complex regulatory approval processes and lengthy timelines to market. This session will explore different incubator approaches to establishing and managing the best specialized facility, equipment, service and program infrastructure that will deliver results in this risky industry, for both the programs and for the companies they serve.
David Lohr, Executive Director, Virginia Biosciences Development Center, Richmond, Va.
Melinda Richter, Executive Director, San Jose BioCenter, San Jose, Calif.
Moderator: Deborah King, Director, Business Incubator, Andrew M. Scibelli Enterprise Center, Springfield, Mass.

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Supporting the Microentrepreneur

This session will offer advice for recruiting, retaining, training and supporting microenterprise companies. The panel also will discuss funding sources and current research on the sustainability and value of microenterprises.
Claudia Conner, Financial Development Specialist, Business Investment Growth Austin, Austin, Texas
Vanessa Finley, Executive Director, First Step Fund, Kansas City, Mo.
Mario Riojas, Financial Consultant, ACCION Texas, San Antonio, Texas

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Environmental Incubation and City Economic Development Partnerships

Incubators assisting environmental and clean-tech companies are well-positioned to benefit financially from economic development efforts to incorporate green practices or develop clean-tech sectors. This session will demonstrate how to use an environmental focus to partner with economic development agencies.
Chuck Erickson, Assistant Director, Environmental Business Cluster, San Jose, Calif.
Jim Robbins, Executive Director, Environmental Business Cluster, San Jose, Calif.
John Weis, Deputy Executive Director, San Jose Redevelopment Agency, San Jose, Calif.

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Is There a Soft Landing in Your Future?

The NBIA Soft Landings International Incubator designation recognizes programs that excel in helping nondomestic companies do business in the incubator’s country. Ten incubators from six countries have received this designation so far. During this session, representatives from three designees will discuss the Soft Landings program.
Neil Davis, Vice President of Operations, Emerging Technology Centers, Baltimore, Md.
Hamish Hawthorn, Chief Executive Officer, ATP Innovations, Sydney, Australia
Evan Jones, Head of Digital & Incubation, Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff, United Kingdom

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Regional Economic Development Through Community Cooperation

Learn how to make entrepreneurship thrive in your region. This session will outline four components of successful regional economic development: capitalizing on available resources, catalyzing educational opportunities, building community and creating an entrepreneurial climate.
Karl Lapan, President & CEO, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Mark Long, former President & CEO, Indiana University Emerging Technologies Center, Indianapolis, Ind.

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Roundtable: Avoiding Showstoppers in Angel Investor Fundraising

Explore and discuss the key problem areas angel investors look for during the due diligence process. This roundtable will examine how to anticipate and prevent deal-breaking issues and prepare for private equity financing.
Moderators: Terry Murray, Senior Strategist, SalesForce4Hire, Cary, N.C.
Kevin Schimelfenig, Managing Partner, SalesForce4Hire, Cary, N.C.

Forum: University

University-affiliated incubators offer access to specialized resources, but they also can present unique challenges. Join this forum to discuss ways to encourage faculty involvement, locate funding sources, structure the incubator’s relationship with the university, and work with university licensing/tech transfer offices.
Moderator: Tom O’Neal, CEO, University of Central Florida Technology Incubator, Orlando, Fla.

Sessions 10:45 a.m.-noon

Operating an Efficient Facility

Reduce operating costs and have a positive environmental effect by implementing energy-saving techniques at your facility. Presenters will share tips and techniques to help your program operate more efficiently, make it more attractive and also be “mean and green.”
Colleen Barta, Assistant Executive Director, William M. Factory Small Business Incubator, Tacoma, Wash.
Mark Long, former President & CEO, Indiana University Emerging Technologies Center, Indianapolis, Ind.
Moderator: David Hughes, Business Development Analyst, Appalachian Regional Commission, Washington, D.C.

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Getting Serious About Your Board

Your board can be one of your greatest assets. This session, led by two members of the NBIA Board of Directors, helps you identify appropriate board members, familiarize them with your program, and utilize their skills and expertise.
Marie Longserre, President and CEO, Santa Fe Business Incubator, Santa Fe, N.M.
Joel Wiggins, President and CEO, Enterprise Center of Johnson County, Lenexa, Kan.

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Growing Emerging Sectors in Your Community

Find out how to use incubation as an effective tool to grow emerging industry sectors, or clusters, in your community. Presenters will share best practices through profiles of accomplished sector-focused programs in information technology, life science and other sectors.
Carol Lauffer, Partner, Business Cluster Development, Palo Alto, Calif.
Melinda Richter, Executive Director, San Jose BioCenter, San Jose, Calif.

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Evaluating and Selecting Clients

Choosing clients that have the best chanceof success sometimes can be a challenge. Panelists who run established incubation programs will discuss their client selection processes and share the criteria they use to identify businesses most suitable to their programs.
Charles Aycock, Business Manager, William M. Factory Small Business Incubator, Tacoma, Wash.
Steve Clark, Vice President for Incubation Services, TechColumbus, Columbus, Ohio
Sarah Djamshidi, MTECH Ventures, Technology Advancement Program, College Park, Md.
Moderator: Tom O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.

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The Incubator’s Role in SBIR/STTR Grants and Technology Commercialization

Learn how your knowledge of the U.S. government’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs can attract businesses, help clients secure R&D funding, and enable you to form key relationships with university commercialization programs and federal labs.
Charles D’Agostino, Executive Director, Louisiana Business & Technology Center, Baton Rouge, La.
Carol Ann Dykes, Site Manager, University of Central Florida Technology Incubator, Orlando, Fla.
Moderator: Chuck Stein, President, Strategic Development Services, Columbus, Ohio

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Roundtable: Protecting Client Assets

Many entrepreneurs put their personal assets on the line when they start their businesses. Find out how incubator managers can help these clients achieve financial success and reclaim these assets. Topics will include financial planning, legal protection, cash flow issues and more.
Moderators: Lisa Ison, President, New Century Venture Center, Salem, Va.
W. Hope Player, Managing Member, The Arcadian Group, Rochelle Park, N.J.

Global Update: Western Europe

Join in dialogue about European incubation methods for project detection, pre-incubation, entrepreneurship training and coaching. Presenters from France, Sweden and the United Kingdom will discuss creating value and jobs through incubation programs. Topics include fundraising, business planning tools, international partnerships and more.
Moderators: Karine Chorro, Coaching and International Programs, Montpellier BIC, Montpellier, France
Patricia Reeb, Director, Montpellier BIC, Montpellier, France
Therese Sjölundh, Chairman, SiSP (Swedish Incubators & Science Parks), and Managing Director, Science Park Jönköping, Jönköping, Sweden
Richard Turner, Wales Partnerships Development Manager, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, Cardiff, Wales

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Forum: Bioscience

Exchange ideas about managing bioscience incubators with your colleagues. Possible discussion topics will include handling energy costs, innovative budgeting ideas, rental rate structures, best designs for shared lab space, and policies concerning access to specialized university resources and facilities.
Moderator: Normand de Montigny, Executive Director, Quebec Biotechnology Innovation Centre, Quebec, Canada

Sessions 2:15-3:30 p.m.

Software and Business Tools to Streamline Incubation

Find out what software tools you can use to improve your incubation program, raise revenue and remain accountable to stakeholders. The presenter will describe methods for tracking client and program activities, facilitating effective communication, and assessing the impact of your program.
Karl LaPan, President & CEO, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, Fort Wayne, Ind.

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Roundtable: Restructuring Your Incubator

If your director leaves or the financial future of your incubator is uncertain, you’ll need resources to cope during the transition period. Learn how to assess the situation, make a plan to reorganize your program and how to implement changes.
Moderators: Susan Arcady Barich, Director, Marina Technology Cluster, Marina, Calif.
Chris Khan, Associate Director, Marina Technology Cluster, Marina, Calif.

Demystifying the Small Business Loan Process

Help your clients successfully secure loans by preparing them to interact with loan officers and by learning about types of available loan funds. This session will outline four steps to securing debt financing and provide three tools to prepare entrepreneurs for this challenge.
Tiffany McVeety, Vice President/Co-Founder, WaMu Small Business Banking/Girandola Center, Seattle, Wash.
Moderator: Blake Culver, Manager, Technology and Incubation Programs, Regional Growth Partnership, Toledo, Ohio

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Business Incubation for the Agriculture and Food Industries

The presenters will share lessons learned from working in the agriculture and food industries. Discover how you can start and grow a program to help businesses bring new food products to market in your community and around the world.
Lou Cooperhouse, Director, Rutgers Food Innovation Center, New Brunswick, N.J.
Ken Gossen, Director of Food Processing Development, Alberta Agriculture and Food, Alberta, Canada
Moderator: Sherry Harlin, Business Development Director, Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Durant, Okla.

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Linking Students to Solve Global Problems

What do students from North Carolina, India and Mexico have in common? They have collaborated to help a client in a community college incubator use clean energy to treat wastewater in Third World countries. Learn how they did it.
Bruce Berger, Associate Professor, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, N.C.
Russ Yelton, Executive Director, Entrepreneurial Ventures and Business Incubation, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Candler, N.C.
Moderator: Alan Lish, Doctor of Business Administration Candidate, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

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Trends in University Research Park Development

With similar missions of promoting business development and employment, university research parks and business incubators make good partners. During this session, the speakers will discuss best practices and trends in university research park development, entrepreneurship, tech transfer and innovation.
Marianne Clarke, Director, Washington Office, Battelle Technology Partnership Practice, Takoma Park, Md.
Gregory Deason, Vice President for Real Estate and Research Park Development, Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette, Ind.
Ellen Hemmerly, Executive Director and President, UMBC Research Park Corp., Baltimore, Md.

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Global Update: Israel

Israeli incubators are transitioning from the public to the private sector, and many are focusing on life science activities. Find out how clients have increased their funding due to privatization and learn more about the Israeli life science sector.
Rina Pridor, Program Director, Israeli Technological Incubator Authority, Tel Aviv, Israel
Idan Tamir, CEO, RAD BioMed Incubator, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Forum: Pacific Incubation Network

Incubation professionals from the Pacific regions of the United States and Canada are invited to join this discussion about the benefits of PIN membership, potential PIN Webinar topics, and ways to make the regional association more useful to its members.
Moderator: Chuck Erikson, Managing Director, Software Business Cluster, San Jose, Calif.

Wednesday, May 7

Sessions 9-10:15 a.m.

Innovative Legal Partnerships

Many start-ups need legal counsel to secure their intellectual property and draft business documents. Hear how two incubators networked with local law schools, students and firms to offer clients high-quality legal services at low or no cost.
Deborah King, Director, Business Incubator, Andrew M. Scibelli Enterprise Center, Springfield, Mass.
Michael Urso, Senior Principal Consultant, Sirti, Spokane, Wash.

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Characteristics of an Effective Feasibility Study

Many feasibility studies contain unnecessary information or neglect crucial details due to misconceptions about the purpose of the feasibility study and the process for conducting it. Two experienced consultants will explore common fallacies and explain the components of a good feasibility study.
Jim Greenwood, President, Greenwood Consulting Group, Sanibel, Fla.
Chuck Stein, President, Strategic Development Services, Columbus, Ohio

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Reaching Out to Young Entrepreneurs in the Internet Age

Engaging the next generation of entrepreneurs can be your key to a steady pipeline of high-potential start-ups. Discover inexpensive and effective ways to engage tomorrow’s business leaders in this age of Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, blogs, viral marketing and other online social networking phenomenon.
Dan MacDonald, President & CEO, InNOVAcorp, Halifax, Canada
Moderator: Peter Harman, Deputy CEO, United Kingdom Business Incubation, United Kingdom

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Measuring the Economic Impact of a Statewide Incubator Program

Impact studies of statewide incubator networks demonstrate that incubators are important economic development tools, which can potentially increase funding for the program. This session focuses on measuring the effectiveness of incubator programs, collecting data and reporting information to stakeholders.
Michel Bitritto, President, New Jersey Business Incubation Network, Newark, N.J.
Patrick Longo, Director, Hamilton County Business Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tom O'Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.
Moderator: Heidi Sheppard, Senior Program Manager, Maryland Technology Development Corp., Columbia, Md.

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An Entrepreneurial Approach to Rural Incubation

Learn a new approach to rural incubation through the example of a program in South Dakota. Presenters will explain how they created an entrepreneur network, provided education to innovators and developed business resources, including angel networks.
Marcia Hendrickson, Executive Director, Enterprise Institute, Brookings, S.D.
Al Kurtenbach, Chairman of the Board, Daktronics, Brookings, S.D.
Moderator: David Terry, Executive Director, WTAMU Enterprise Network, Amarillo, Texas

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Roundtable: Communicating Effectively With Clients

Join this discussion to explore ways to establish better communications with your clients as experienced managers share their recommendations. Conversation topics will include practical tips for improving client interactions and ways new managers can learn from the experts.
Moderators: David Cattey, Retired Executive Director, TechColumbus, Columbus, Ohio
Tony Tadasa, Director, Tyler Area Business Incubator, Tyler, Texas
Terutaka Tansho, Lecturer and Collaboration Manager, Shimane University Collaboration Center, Shimane, Japan

Global Update: Africa

Catch up on business incubation in Africa, with a special focus on South Africa. Presenters also will discuss entrepreneurial development – including maintaining communities of investors, mentors and other stakeholders – through the use of Web-based video, online social networking and Web 2.0 tools.
Olusimibo Boroffice, Director, National Board of Technology Incubation, Abuja, Nigeria
Brian Carl Brown, Chief Operating Officer, Blue Catalyst Investments PTY Ltd., Johannesburg, South Africa
Charles Anthony Wyeth, Executive Manager, Seda Technology Programme, Pretoria, South Africa

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Forum: Bioscience – Pharmaceutical

This forum is for incubator managers who work with start-ups that seek FDA approval for their pharmaceutical products. Possible discussion topics will include ways to assist companies in obtaining FDA drug approval, milestones in the approval process and lessons learned.
Moderator: David Lohr, Executive Director, Virginia Biosciences Development Center, Richmond, Va.

Sessions 10:45 a.m.-noon

Creative Incubator Marketing Techniques

The Internet has introduced many new tools you can use to market your incubation program, including blogging, Second Life and YouTube. Learn how to integrate these technologies into your marketing plan to attract potential clients and stakeholders.
Jeanette DeDiemar, Executive Director, Integrated Marketing & Communications, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Oshkosh, Wis.
Evan Jones, Head of Digital & Incubation, Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff, United Kingdom

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Incubation Partnerships in a Global Market

Discover how forming partnerships with organizations around the globe can benefit all parties involved. Panelists will discuss their experiences in developing partnerships with organizations overseas and how that helps them attract companies into their programs and assist domestic companies in opening overseas operations.
David Lohr, Executive Director, Virginia Biosciences Development Center, Richmond, Va.
Darlene Ryan, Executive Director, Tech Fort Worth, Fort Worth, Texas
Paul Zukowski, Assistant Director, Global Commercialization Group, IC2 Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Moderator: Joel Wiggins, President and CEO, Enterprise Center of Johnson County, Lenexa, Kan.

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Incubators in Small Towns and Rural Areas

Incubators in small towns and rural areas often operate in environments with limited resources, scarce technology development and small entrepreneurial pools. Find out how to succeed in these tough markets by holding client-recruiting seminars, offering legal assistance and more.
Jack St. Pierre, Executive Director, CAN BE, the Greater Hazleton Business Innovation Center, West Hazleton, Pa.
David Terry, Executive Director, West Texas A&M University Enterprise Network, Amarillo, Texas

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Maximizing Regional Strengths: The Water and Energy Technology Incubator

In a region economically and environmentally dependent on water, the WET Incubator supports businesses that attempt to solve global water and energy challenges. Learn how to replicate this model for clients that work to overcome similar obstacles in your area.
Craig Scharton, CEO, Central Valley Business Incubator, Fresno, Calif.
Travis Sheridan, Director of Member Services, Central Valley Business Incubator, Fresno, Calif.

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Roundtable: Managing Student Entrepreneurship

If your incubator is located near a college or university, join this discussion to explore ways to work with student entrepreneurs. Topics will include allocating space for student businesses, establishing partnerships between students and community members, holding summer institutes and more.
Moderators: Brad Rickelman, Assistant Director, Center for Business Development, Meridian Technology Center, Stillwater, Okla.
Laurie Watje, Program Associate, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Forum: Kitchen

If you assist specialty food businesses (or want to), join this forum. Discussion topics will include the definition, goals and objectives of a kitchen incubator, plus ways to forge partnerships with universities, regulatory agencies, local governments, farmers’ markets and marketing co-ops.
Moderator: Caleb Zigas, Program Coordinator, La Cocina Business Incubator, San Francisco, Calif.