National Science and Technology Group Selects Cleveland as Location for 2008 Annual Conference; NorTech efforts secure State Science and Technology Institute conference
CLEVELAND, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NorTech, Northeast Ohio's leading technology-based economic development organization, is proud to announce that the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI), the national organization for technology-based economic development, has selected Ohio as the location for its 12th annual conference. The event, which has grown to become the nation's premiere event for sharing ideas on the best ways to encourage technology-based economic development and foster regional prosperity in a global economy, will be held at the InterContinental Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 15-16, 2008.
Cleveland was selected after a national competitive bid process. Key to winning the bid was the efforts of NorTech, (in partnership with the State of Ohio's Department of Development, regional businesses, foundations, research institutions, and the not-for-profit community) in demonstrating regional commitments to technology research, development, innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship to spur economic growth in Northeast Ohio.
In recent years, Northeast Ohio has experienced a transition from a traditional economy to a technology-based economy. The state's Third Frontier Project along with out-of-state venture capital investments has had a significant impact on research, development and commercialization efforts. In addition, programs to support entrepreneurship, retain/attract technology businesses, and the creation of a regional technology strategy has been instrumental in advancing Northeast Ohio's technology-based economic development efforts.
"We are thrilled that SSTI has selected Cleveland to host its next annual conference," said Dorothy C. Baunach, president and chief executive officer of NorTech. "We look forward to sharing with attendees the practices that have made Northeast Ohio a model for sustainable technology-based economic development, as well as our public-private partnerships, which have contributed to the region's successful transformation from an industrial center to an entrepreneurial, innovation-based economy."
"Northeast Ohio provides an excellent backdrop for SSTI's 12th annual conference," said Dan Berglund, president and chief executive officer of SSTI. "The state, and especially the northeast region, has made science and technology a central focus for its economic development investments, so Cleveland is a perfect choice to showcase successful technology-based economic development practices and strategies before a national and international audience."
The annual SSTI conference draws more than 350 business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the country to learn from the nation's leading thinkers and practitioners in technology-based economic development. Previous conference topics have addressed areas such as: university research commercialization; manufacturing excellence; angel and venture capital; university research parks and technology incubators; globalization's impact on local economies; math and science education; and public-private collaboration for science, technology and engineering.
Program topics at the 12th annual conference will draw on the experiences and needs of SSTI's 38 state sponsors, and more than 100 affiliates and supporters from across the country. The agenda for the event will be set in early summer 2008. In 2007, attendees are representing 47 states, as well as the District of Columbia, several Canadian provinces and foreign countries. Previous SSTI annual conference locations have included: Baltimore, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle and Chicago.
Representatives from SSTI made a site visit to Cleveland during the summer of 2007, touring potential facilities and meeting with regional economic development, science and technology leaders, and other technology organizations to discuss potential topics, speakers and logistics. Positively Cleveland, the Cleveland Convention and Visitors Bureau, helped organize the SSTI site visit.
A host committee made up of state representatives, universities, technology organizations, regional economic development offices, and philanthropic organizations will be formed to help facilitate planning for the 2008 conference.
About the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI)
Based in Westerville, Ohio, SSTI is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving government-industry programs that encourage economic growth through the application of science and technology. More information about SSTI's 12th annual conference will be forthcoming on SSTI's website http://www.ssti.org/ .
About the Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition (NorTech)
NorTech, Northeast Ohio's technology-based economic development organization, works closely with regional technology leaders to build a globally-competitive, innovation driven, technology economy by: Leading technology-based projects that have an impact on the region's innovation infrastructure; Linking together regional technology leaders and innovation assets to spur collaboration, entrepreneurship, and commercialization; and Leveraging public and private investments to revitalize Northeast Ohio's economy. Our shared vision for the region is to become one of the top ten places in the world to live, learn, work and invest by the year 2020. http://www.nortech.org/
CONTACT: Kelly C. South of NorTech, +1-216-241-8458, ksouth@nortech.org ,
or Mark Skinner of SSTI, +1-614-901-1690, skinner@ssti.org
Web Site: http://www.nortech.org/
http://www.ssti.org/
SOURCE NorTech