NBIA Call for Proposals

Submitting a Proposal: NBIA Conference Sessions

Deadline: Friday, Sept. 26, 2008

Sessions and roundtable discussions are 75 minutes long and will take place Monday, April 20, through Wednesday, April 22. 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 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, click here for a list of suggestions generated by the NBIA staff.

Audience Profile

NBIA conference attendees represent a broad spectrum of people 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 are new to the industry. Since the conference attracts a significant number of international attendees, we seek sessions with content that can be applied globally. In spite of these differences, all attendees are looking for practical tools and techniques they can apply to their programs immediately. We strongly encourage presenters to ensure the information they share is broadly applicable and not unique to their specific programs.

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:

Best Practices – In keeping with the conference theme, we're looking for proposals that highlight industry best practices in client service, client entrance and exit, program operations, incubator finances, facilities management, program evaluation and stakeholder relations. Highest consideration will be given to proposals to discuss practices that are innovative, replicable and proven to be effective.
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 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.
Sector-Focused Incubation – Many incubators have a planned focus based on the incubator’s location, the types of entrepreneurs served or the program’s funding source. We are interested in sessions concentrated on best practice for specific industry sectors, including rural, university, bioscience and technology.
International Incubation – As companies become more focused on global markets, many incubators are forming partnerships across borders. NBIA seeks sessions that explore international programs and issues.
Global Updates – Successful incubators from around the world can provide best practices that are applicable to a wide audience. We seek practitioners from outside the U.S. who can offer relevant information about incubation practices in their respective countries and regions.

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 to 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 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 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

Do not use the conference presentation as a vehicle to advertise 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 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, on the conference proceedings CD and as hard-copy handouts.
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 are able to participate in conference activities only on the day of their presentation may register for a one-day speaker rate of $175.

Proposal Process

The deadline for submitting a proposal is Friday, Sept. 26, 2008. 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. 12, 2008.
Selected speakers will receive further instructions and material deadlines in January 2009.
Presentations will take place during NBIA’s 23rd International Conference on Business Incubation, April 19-22, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo.