Challenges of the New Economy Focus of SSTI’s 3rd Annual Conference

The State Science and Technology Institute’s (SSTI) third annual conference will focus on how to meet the challenge of the New Economy through science and technology programs.

The conference will focus on some of the largest issues facing policy makers and practitioners, including:

• communicating the importance of science and technology in today’s economy,
• meeting the demand for a skilled workforce,
• encouraging the formation of early-stage capital for commercializing locally-developed new technologies in a globally aggressive economy, and
• understanding the implications and opportunities of e-commerce.

The conference program includes the following sessions:



Wednesday, October 6

Two optional, concurrent preconference workshops (seating is limited)

Industry Clusters: Analysis, Implications and Beyond: The workshop will focus on conducting the analysis to determine a region’s industry clusters, the implications of that analysis, and examples of policy options available once the analysis is completed.

S&T Primer: An Introduction to S&T Programs: Designed with those new to technology-based economic development in mind, this workshop will present approaches taken to encourage economic growth through S&T, the rationale underlying the approaches, and the evolution of S&T programs at both the state and federal level.

Thursday, October 7

Innovation Indices: An examination of the increasingly popular S&T report cards, their purposes, development process, and policy implications.

Using the Internet to Deliver Your S&T Program: This session will focus on how the Internet is being used by S&T programs, whether it is as part of a marketing strategy or integrated component of a program’s delivery system.

New Approaches to the New Economy: State S&T activities have spanned four decades and continue to try new approaches. This session will highlight two states attempts to position themselves at the forefront of the New Economy

E-Commerce: In addition to examining the potential of e-commerce, this session will explore how to determine if a region is prepared for e-commerce and steps to be taken to ensure that no region is left behind.



Marketing S&T: Techniques, Tips & Tricks: This session will look at creative methods of strategically marketing S&T programs to industry, legislators, governors’ offices, and other stakeholders.

Tapping the Well: How to Access Early Stage Capital: Many states have created programs to encourage local development of early-stage capital. This session will examine a variety of approaches a number of states have undertaken.

The Role of S&T Programs in Technology Deployment: Where to Draw the Line? There is increasing pressure to work with non-technology companies to deploy technology (e.g., teaching retail operations to implement e-commerce or resolving Y2K problems). This roundtable discussion will consider the following questions: Where

should S&T programs draw the line? What’s the appropriate role for S&T programs vs. the private sector?



Friday, October 8

Trends in S&T Programs: This interactive, plenary sessions will examine the latest advancements in technology-based economic development, the implications for program managers and policymakers, and where those trends may lead.

Addressing S&T Workforce Development Issues: The issue of workforce development and worker shortages is one of the greatest challenges of the New Economy. This session will highlight two states’ innovative approaches to addressing S&T workforce issues.

SSTI’s third annual conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis. Additional information may be obtained from the SSTI website http://www.ssti.org [Link Deactivated] or by contacting the SSTI offices.