NBIA Call for Proposals

Submitting a Proposal: NBIA Conference Sessions

Deadline: Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007

Sessions and roundtable discussions are 75 minutes long and will take place Monday, May 5, through Wednesday, May 7. Seven sessions and roundtable discussions run concurrently in each time block. There will be three session blocks on Monday and Tuesday and two session blocks on Wednesday.

Before you fill out the online proposal form, please take a few minutes to read the following information about the Audience Profile, Selection Criteria, Priority Topics, Session Format Options, Speaker Information and Proposal Process. Once you have reviewed this important information, you can submit your proposal by clicking on the button below. If you have any questions, e-mail education@nbia.org or call (740) 593-4331.

If you are interested in presenting during the conference but you aren’t sure of what topic to propose, please e-mail education@nbia.org. Provide a brief explanation of your areas of expertise and NBIA will try to connect you with an appropriate session topic and/or co-presenter.

Audience Profile

NBIA conference attendees represent a broad spectrum of people who are engaged in entrepreneurial support and new business growth, from incubator developers and managers to university officials and economic development professionals. They come from many types of communities and programs, so their perspectives and challenges vary greatly. The audience also reflects a range of experience levels, from longtime NBIA members to people who are just starting to investigate incubation. Historically, up to 60 percent of conference attendees have been newcomers. Also, the conference attracts a significant number of international attendees, so we seek sessions with content that can be applied globally.

Selection Criteria

NBIA seeks to fulfill the educational needs of our diverse audience by creating a balanced program that is comprehensive and reflects a multitude of perspectives. A session selection committee will review the proposals and make decisions based on the following criteria:

Relevance to audience need. We look for sessions that address topics of interest to a large group of conference attendees. We also consider the diversity of the programs with which our attendees work and strive to offer a variety of sessions to meet different needs.
Presenter qualifications. We seek presenters who communicate effectively through lively, organized and well-prepared presentations and helpful handouts. In reviewing a proposal, we consider the submitter’s previous training/speaking experience and familiarity with the incubation industry.
Quality of the proposal content. Because most of our audience members are practitioners (rather than academics), we select sessions that will provide tools and techniques people can implement in their own programs. Successful proposals describe programs with proven track records and provide industry-specific examples.
Contribution to the overall conference content. As the selection committee discusses proposals, we will consider how the topic, format and specific content of a proposed session will fit into the overall scheme of the event. The selection committee will consider each proposal in the context of the overall conference, assessing how the topic, format and specific content fit with other sessions.

Priority Topic Areas

There are certain topic areas we want to be sure to address during the conference. Please note that this list is not exclusive as the conference will include sessions on a broad range of topics. However, we will offer sessions that fall into the following categories:

Client Services – One of an incubator manager’s most important tasks is to help clients achieve success, so we are especially interested in sessions that provide tips, tools and techniques for working with entrepreneurs on the various challenges they will face in starting a new business.
Client Funding – All entrepreneurs must identify funding sources and revenue streams to get their companies off the ground, so we seek sessions that illustrate successful strategies for helping clients access capital, as well as sessions that highlight innovative funding sources.
Incubator Funding – In addition to helping clients run successful businesses, incubator managers also must make sure their own programs are financially viable. We seek sessions that will help managers identify funding options, tap into resources and generate revenue.
Environmental Programs – In keeping with this year’s conference theme, Innovation for a Strong Economy and Healthy Planet, NBIA seeks sessions that provide case studies, tools and advice for incubators that work with clients who have developed “green” products and technologies. We also seek sessions that showcase incubators that are implementing environmentally friendly practices through their programs and facilities.
Latin American/International Issues – As companies become more focused on global markets, many incubators are forming partnerships across borders. NBIA seeks sessions that explore international programs and issues. Because the conference will be held in San Antonio, we are particularly interested in sessions related to Latin America.

Session Format Options

Lecture – A 75-minute session featuring one to three speakers who present material as a public address. We ask presenters to reserve 15-20 minutes at the end of the session for audience questions. This format is best for sessions in which specific case studies, techniques or programs are being presented as examples. The goal is to provide attendees with information and tools they can implement to improve their programs.
Panel – A 75-minute session featuring three panelists who respond to a series of topical questions posed by a moderator. The audience should also be given at least 20 minutes to ask questions of the panel. This format is a good way for people who have expertise in a specific area to share their perspectives.
Roundtable Discussion – A 75-minute session in which a facilitator presents a brief (10-15 minute) introduction to the topic and then leads an informal, interactive discussion with attendees. This format is best for sessions that address common issues and situations and are conducive to active dialogue. Roundtable discussions do not include PowerPoint presentations.

Speaker Information

Please do not use the conference presentation as a vehicle for advertising products or services. Conference sessions are meant to provide information for industry professionals, not to make sales pitches. Attendees will be dissatisfied if they sense a presenter is providing promotional material for his or her own benefit.
If your proposal is accepted, NBIA will ask you to provide a presentation outline so staff can review the planned content in more detail. We will also ask you to provide an electronic copy of your PowerPoint presentation and other handouts in advance of the conference so we can provide them to attendees via our Web site and on the conference proceedings CD.
As a nonprofit association, NBIA is unable to offer remuneration for concurrent session presentations, so all session presenters must register for the conference and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Speakers who attend only on the days of their presentations may register for a one-day speaker rate of $150.

Proposal Process

The deadline for submitting a proposal is Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007. NBIA will not consider proposals submitted after this date.
The selection committee will hold several meetings to discuss proposals in the late fall. You will be notified of the committee’s decisions by Friday, Dec. 21, 2007.
Selected speakers will receive further instructions and material deadlines in January 2008.
Presentations will take place during NBIA’s 22nd International Conference on Business Incubation, May 4-7, 2008, in San Antonio, Texas.