Investing in a Brighter Future: Building Tech-based Economies - Atlanta, October 19-21, 2005 - SSTI's 9th Annual Conference

Only 13 days left to register early for SSTI's 9th Annual Conference!

Save $100 by Registering Before Sept. 20, 2005.

Registration Form and Most Current Information Available at:

http://www.ssti.org/conference05.htm

Whether you are seeking new approaches and networking opportunities, or wish to share best practices, SSTI's 9th Annual Conference has something for everyone. Keeping with the theme of quality - not quantity - SSTI is pleased to offer 20 timely and effective breakout sessions. Topics for this year's sessions cover a broad range of old favorites and new subjects to engage participants in thinking about the future of Tech-based Economic Development (TBED). Everything from the municipal broadband debate to new commercialization strategies for universities to alternative energy and TBED. Session titles are listed below according to theme. Find a brief description of each topic along with speakers for the session on the conference website listed above.

Offering a full slate for every TBED interest!

Entrepreneurship

• Even Angels Get the Blues: Maintaining Momentum for Investor Groups
• Encouraging Women Entrepreneurship
• VC Isn't Everything: Raising Capital for the Balance of Your Portfolio
• Embedding Entrepreneurship in Universities: New Approaches
• Sound Strategies for Encouraging Regional Entrepreneurship

Universities and R&D Commercialization

• The Changing State-University Relationship: Trends and Implications
• Higher Ed as the Basis for Economic Growth: The Georgia Story
• New Commercialization Strategies for University Research
• Embedding Entrepreneurship in Universities: New Approaches
• Building Effective University-Industry Partnerships

Regionalism

• Fostering Cooperation for Regional Growth: A Roundtable Discussion
• Moving Broadband Beyond the Muni v. Telco Debate
• Rethinking Regional Innovation and Change
• Realizing Results from S&T Planning: The Lessons of Implementation
• Sound Strategies for Encouraging Regional Entrepreneurship

The Future of TBED

• Developing a Workforce Strategy That Works
• Moving Broadband Beyond the Muni v. Telco Debate
• Alternative Energy and TBED: A Powerful Opportunity
• Globalizing Your TBED Strategy: Developing International Partnerships
• New Tools for Web-based TBED

Advanced Sessions -- tailored for seasoned TBED professionals

• Even Angels Get the Blues: Maintaining Momentum for Investor Groups
• The Changing State-University Relationship: Trends and Implications
• Keeping TBED Relevant: A Roundtable Discussion
• Rethinking Regional Innovation and Change
• New Commercialization Strategies for University Research
• Building Effective University-Industry Partnerships

Come Early For Valuable Pre-Conference Sessions

In addition to the always popular session for beginners, An Introduction to Tech-based Economic Development, this year's pre-conference sessions provide a full day of valuable information presented by successful and experienced practitioners. Seating is limited, so register online today: https://www.ssti.org/Conf05/registration.htm

• Developing Successful Angel Organizations: A Practical Guide is presented by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Angel Capital Association and focuses on the development of angel organizations, including a step-by-step process for determining whether or not your community can support an angel organization.
• Technology Square: Proof for the Power of Local Tech-based Economic Development consists of an on-site workshop uncovering the keys to Technology Square's success. You'll hear directly from the people who made it happen: from concept and planning to financing and management.
• Maximizing Impact: Evaluating S&T Programs will dissect applied evaluation tools to assess their replicability across states and regions. At the end of the session, attendees will be able to: identify the appropriate indicators for a given intervention; choose the appropriate method(s) for the evaluation; address causality and attribution; and effectively communicate the analysis and results to different stakeholders.
• An Introduction to Tech-based Economic Development is an interactive workshop examining the fundamental elements of successful tech-based economic development tailored to professionals that are new to the field.

Spotlight on Keynote Speakers

SSTI is pleased to present opening keynote speaker Robert D. Atkinson and luncheon keynote speaker F. Duane Ackerman. Rob Atkinson is vice president of the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) and director of PPI's Technology & New Economy Project. While at PPI, he has written groundbreaking reports on a wide range of technology issues, including the role of IT in homeland defense; Internet taxation; privacy and spam; global e-commerce; digital government; and middleman opposition to e-commerce. Previously, Dr. Atkinson served as executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council and was project director at the former Congressional Office of Technology Assessment. Dr. Atkinson will be speaking at 9:15 a.m. on Thurs., Oct. 20. His talk is entitled, "The U.S. Innovation Economy: Current Conditions and Future Prospects."

Duane Ackerman is chairman and chief executive officer of BellSouth Corporation. Mr. Ackerman also serves as chairman of the national Council on Competitiveness, which recently released Innovate America, the final report of the National Innovation Initiative. In addition, Mr. Ackerman is a member of the board of trustees and past chairman of the renowned Georgia Research Alliance, one the country's most widely respected programs to encourage technology-based economic development. He also serves as chairman of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, board member of the Allstate Corporation, trustee of Rollins College and former member of the board of governors for the Society of Sloan Fellows of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Ackerman will be speaking after lunch on Thurs., Oct. 20. His talk is entitled, "Picking up the Pace: Moving America Forward with an Innovation Agenda for the 21st Century."

Roundtable Discussions Provide Opportunity for Thought-Provoking Exchange

One of the greatest assets of SSTI's annual conference is the opportunity for networking and thought-provoking exchange among practitioners - both new and experienced. Back by popular demand, our roundtable discussions provide the ideal setting for sharing ideas and lessons learned. This year's roundtable discussions include Fostering Cooperation for Regional Growth: A Roundtable Discussion, and Keeping TBED Relevant: A Roundtable Discussion.

SSTI Annual Conference Qualifies for CEcD Credit

Need yet another reason why this conference fits your training needs? SSTI's 9th Annual Conference is recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) as a professional development event that counts toward the recertification of Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs).

CEcDs greatly enhance their skills and marketability by attending the nation's most comprehensive and intensive learning opportunity for building tech-based economies - SSTI's annual conference!

Book Now for Great Rates at the InterContinental Buckhead-Atlanta

SSTI conference registrants receive a great room rate of $165.00 plus tax by booking their stay before Sept. 20, 2005. Buckhead's newest, upscale hotel offers all the amenities you need to make your experience memorable. Guest rooms offer high-speed Internet access, full-size work desk, private voice mail, WorldLink power and phone/Internet connector and WorldPrint fax and printer. In addition, enjoy the convenience of a state-of-the-art 24-hour fitness facility, large heated outdoor pool with whirlpool and rooftop sundeck, and international day spa.

The hotel also houses a fabulous French-style brasserie, and the exceptional Bar XO, specializing in cognacs. This great room rate is honored three days prior and three days after the conference, so why not stay the weekend and explore the busting city of Atlanta? Shopping, dining, historic sites and nearly 60 golf courses surround the city. Links to a sampling of Atlanta's best museums, parks, sports options, and other attractions can be found at: http://www.ssti.org/conference05.htm

Don't Get Closed Out of SSTI's 9th Annual Conference

SSTI's annual conferences have sold out in the past. Because we take pride in the quality of our conference, and feel it is difficult to have productive discussions among several hundred participants, we limit attendance. Take a minute to register now before it's too late: http://www.ssti.org/conference05.htm