SSTI Accepting Bids for 2007 Annual Conference

With preparations for SSTI's 10th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City on Oct. 31-Nov. 2 well underway, we have received many questions from local, regional and state organizations wanting to host the premier event for the tech-based economic development (TBED) profession in 2007. Because of the increased interest, SSTI has bumped up its schedule for selecting the 2007 site. We are accepting nominations of host organizations and locations for SSTI's 11th Annual Conference until July 30, 2006.

Held in October to early November each year, SSTI’s annual two-and-a-half day event attracts approximately 300-400 participants from more than 40 states and several countries. The conference is especially designed for those engaged in TBED on the local, regional, state or national level. Over the past 10 years, SSTI’s annual conference has grown to become the nation’s largest and most diverse gathering of the TBED community.

To be the host organization or location for SSTI's conference is to showcase nationally and internationally the success of your state, region or community TBED efforts. Specific benefits include:

• Minimal or no travel expenses incurred for conference attendees from your selected state. This cost savings and convenience facilitates greater participation and attendance at the conference by your key state and local decision makers and practitioners in the region's TBED community. The result can be a better understanding and stronger commitment among legislators and civic leaders to building a tech-based economy and reinvigorating your program staff and board with fresh ideas, perspectives and professional development tips from peers from around the country.
• Ability to showcase nationally and internationally the success of your state or community’s tech-based economic development efforts through SSTI conference marketing materials, by providing speakers at the conference and by offering on-location tour of facilities;
• Positive economic impact to local area selected to hosting approximately 300-350 conference attendees;
• Ability to assist SSTI in determining pre-conference activities, speakers for conference sessions and local dignitary for keynote address;
• Conference host, location and site featured in the SSTI Weekly Digest;
• Promotion of host organization and conference location in all SSTI conference marketing materials; and,
• No fewer than 25 complimentary registrations for this conference for distribution as they deem appropriate. The actual number of registrations depends on level and timely payment of host financial support toward the conference.

Nominations may be from collaborations of several organizations, with a lead organization designated as host. The lead organization for the 2007 conference must be an SSTI Sponsor or Affiliate in good standing for all of 2007. (More information on sponsor or affiliate membership is available at http://www.ssti.org/sponsors.htm.) The host organization also must be willing to provide funding that helps SSTI keep conference costs affordable to all attendees. This funding can be obtained in part from collaborative partners in the bid. Recent hosts also have provided in-kind support such as on-site conference staffing assistance, audio and visual equipment, printing capability, storage and other services.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact Noelle Sheets <sheets @ ssti. org>, SSTI's director of member services, for a complete bid package.