Six Themes That Make Next Week's SSTI Conference a "Can't Miss"
What are the steps in building a successful regional alliance?
How can my region benefit from the Obama administration's vision for innovation?
Where should I look for funding now with state budgets so tight?
These questions are probably similar to questions that you are facing in this tough fiscal climate. SSTI's Annual Conference allows you to structure your conference experience around the most vital issues for accelerating your region's innovation successfully. A new addition to the 2010 conference allows you to better tailor your conference experience to resolve your questions!
In our upcoming 14th Annual Conference, to be held Sept 14-16 in Pittsburgh, SSTI has developed three tracks focused exclusively on helping you answer those vital questions. Utilizing survey responses from our members, SSTI developed the six thematic tracks to address the most pressing concerns of the TBED community. With a blend of engaging plenary and intensive breakout sessions, the six thematic tracks will provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to successfully navigate the road ahead. We'll highlight a few examples below, but encourage you to review the full conference brochure to see all of the options available for all the tracks: http://ssticonference.org.
The tracks for the 2010 conference include:
- Federal: The Obama administration has brought new opportunities and new vision for the future of innovation in the country. In these sessions at SSTI's annual conference, talking with the federal agencies and other experts will enable you to capitalize on the increasing federal opportunities and provide insight into the Administration's vision. For Example: A New Partnership: A New EDA
- Capital: The Great Recession and its aftershocks have the nation's equity investment industry in a state of flux, but one thing is certain: maximizing the impact of local sources of seed and early stage capital — both public and private — are more important than ever. SSTI's Annual Conference offers experts providing proven models for increasing the amount and the impact of local sources of capital. They also will provide you the knowledge to navigate the seemingly treacherous national equities market. For Example: Maximizing Equity Capital's Impact in Your Community
- Entrepreneurship & Commercialization: We'll explore new approaches and benefit from different perspectives on developing a thriving innovation-oriented, high growth entrepreneurial community in your region. These sessions will focus on direct lessons from successful and proven TBED programs, regional innovation clustering, and more! With the panels of experts assembled by SSTI, you will discover and discuss new insights into commercialization and entrepreneurship. For Example: Sustaining Entrepreneur-in-Residence & Mentoring Programs
- Universities: Our research-intensive and regional universities and community colleges must play bigger roles in maintaining and sustaining U.S. competitiveness — one researcher, one technology, one region and one worker at a time. SSTI's 2010 Annual Conference will help you to take the steps necessary to build a strong relationship within and within our academic community. For Example: A Decade for Change: Universities' Roles in Innovation
- Strategy & Alliance Building: Tough times call for tough, new strategies! SSTI's Annual Conference will provide the necessary tools and insight for developing strategies in times of fiscal stress and political transition. The preconference, plenary and breakout sessions listed under this track offer a comprehensive array of expertise unavailable at any other individual professional development event for the field. For Example: Developing an Innovation Strategy: The Inside Story
- "How To": These sessions will provide you the knowledge and tools necessary "to get it done." Countless models and proven courses of actions will be described in the sessions listed under the "How To" track. With the wealth of knowledge our experts provide, it is nearly impossible for you to leave the conference without gaining insight into an area of concern for your region. We believe that you will leave these sessions with renewed energy, fresh ideas and increased personal resolve to address the challenges of improving your area's economy. For Example:Financing TBED: Alternative Models and Sustainability
With all of these choices, SSTI's Annual Conference really could be viewed as several conferences in one. But, after reading through the brochure, you may find that there are too many choices relevant to your program's needs! This is one conference your state, regional or university economic development agenda cannot afford to have you miss!
Pennsylvania