NBIA’s 23rd International
Conference on Business Incubation
Building on Best Practices

NBIA’s 23rd International Conference on Business Incubation will take place April 19-22, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. This spring conference is the premier training event for incubation professionals worldwide. Each year, more than 600 people from nearly 40 nations gather to participate in workshops, educational sessions, roundtable discussions and networking activities. The conference provides a venue for incubation professionals to connect with one another, sharing stories and solutions to common challenges. Attendees develop new skills and learn new techniques to improve their incubation programs.

The conference will feature more than 50 concurrent sessions in which experienced professionals will share their knowledge with attendees by making presentations and leading discussions. A Preconference Institute will feature full- and half-day workshops, including two that fulfill requirements for the NBIA Incubator Management Certificate Program. Other conference activities will include keynote addresses, receptions and tours of nearby incubators.

Location

Kansas City has plenty to offer to keep you busy beyond the conference. Learn about the city’s jazz roots at the American Jazz Museum, then experience the music firsthand at the museum’s club, The Blue Room, ranked by Down Beat magazine as one of the 100 top jazz clubs in the world. For a taste of the city’s cuisine, sample mouthwatering, slow-cooked barbecue at any of the 100 or so local restaurants that specialize in this Kansas City treat. For nightlife options, try the Power and Light District, an entertainment hub that features shops, restaurants and clubs. For more information on Kansas City, check out www.visitkc.com.

Conference Hotel

The Westin Crown Center will serve as conference headquarters. NBIA has secured a block of rooms at this hotel with a special rate of $159 per night for a single or double room.

Visit www.westin.com/crowncenter for more information about the hotel.

International Attendees

Conference attendees who will be traveling to the United States from another country may need to obtain a nonimmigrant visitor's visa. NBIA advises visa applicants to start the approval process at least three months in advance of the event. Click here for more information and to request an official letter of invitation.

Conference Sponsors

Whether your organization seeks to build relationships with other groups that support entrepreneurship or the entrepreneurs themselves, you’ll make valuable connections by sponsoring NBIA’s conference. Contact Tim King, NBIA’s development manager, at tjking@nbia.org to learn more about conference sponsorship opportunities.

Please check this Web site for more information about the conference as it becomes available.