Contact: Linda Knopp
Public Relations Specialist
740-593-4331
lknopp@nbia.org
ATHENS, Ohio—The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) will conduct in-depth training workshops to help community leaders learn to create and lead effective entrepreneurial support programs during its 12th Fall Training Institute in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 13-15.
With the theme Entrepreneurship Support Through Business Incubation, the event will feature nine workshops covering a range of economic and community development topics. (Seehttp://www.nbia.org/conf/fti_2002/index.html for full workshop descriptions and registration information.)
Business incubators catalyze the process of starting and growing companies by providing entrepreneurs with an array of customized business support services, such as mentoring, flexible leases, and access to office space, research facilities and manufacturing equipment. These programs diversify economies, commercialize technologies, create jobs and build wealth.
NBIA regularly conducts training programs to help existing incubation personnel learn to better manage their programs and to assist incubator developers in establishing successful programs.
Workshops to be offered at the Nov. 13-15 event include:
- Developers’ Prep Course. Learn how to conduct a feasibility study, develop an incubator business plan, locate and attract prospective clients, and create a self-sufficient incubator.
- Creating the Technology Incubator. Learn how to build a successful technology incubation program through mission definition, program development, budgeting and funding strategies.
- Designing the Sector-Specific Incubator. Receive customized attention to queries about designing an incubator that focuses on a specific industry or adding a new sector focus to an existing program.
- Entrance and Exit Policies: Selecting the Best. Discover the top criteria to use when evaluating prospective incubator clients and learn to set key milestones for graduation.
Get the Private Sector to Invest in YOUR Incubator. Learn how to prepare an incubator to mount a private-sector funding initiative and how to recruit the commitment of top community leaders.
Sirolli Institute: Introduction to Enterprise Facilitation. Find out how the Sirolli Institute uses grassroots efforts to help communities develop sustainable environments for entrepreneurs.
Empowerment Incubators: Working Effectively with Special Populations. Learn to plan and manage programs that work with disadvantaged populations or operate in distressed communities.
Managers’ Forum: Implementing Best Practices. Exchange tips, tools and solutions for incubator management challenges and review industry best practices.
Technology Commercialization: Turning Innovations Into Enterprises. Learn how to turn technology innovations into business enterprises and help clients meet their business objectives.
Hosted by the Florida Business Incubation Association and the University of Central Florida Technology Incubator, the NBIA Fall Training Institute will be held at the Embasssy Suites Hotel, International Drive, in Orlando, Fla. The deadline for early-bird registration is Oct. 18, and attendees registering for two or more sessions will receive a discount. For additional information, call (740) 593-4331 or e-mail education@nbia.org.
With about 1,200 members, NBIA is the world’s leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. It provides professionals with information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies.
