Thurday, September 16

Thursday Morning Breakout Sessions

Financing TBED: Alternative Models and Sustainability

Mid-year rescissions, furloughs and the uncertainty of annual appropriations is no way to develop a long-term economic recovery strategy. Analysts say the fiscal environment in most state and local governments as well as universities will remain constrained for the next two years — at a minimum. There are alternatives to annual appropriation battles — and an increasing number of states and communities are implementing some more creative ways to support and sustain their TBED portfolios. In this session, we'll profile SSTI research on the broad range of options being used across the country, before focusing on one of the more lucrative, long-term models for financing TBED: securing voter approval for bonds, sale taxes and other referenda.

Presenters include:

• Rob Ksiazkiewicz, Policy Analyst, SSTI
• David Wilhelm, Founding Partner, Hopewell Ventures and Adena Ventures

The Federal Innovation Agenda and Your TBED Strategy

Perhaps not since 2000 have state, regional and university TBED programs and policymakers been more interested in what Congress and the federal government will do next to support — or hinder — the innovation strategies that have been in place for decades outside the nation's capital. The need for new financial resources is top among interests for many looking to Washington, but there is opportunity for a more collaborative partnership — particularly as federal purse strings are likely to tighten too in coming years. We'll discuss what we've learned from the federal agencies during the conference and how to mesh federal opportunities and interests with our state and regional innovation portfolios.

Discussion facilitator:

• Rebecca Bagley, President & CEO, NorTech

Distributed, Non-University Models for Commercializing New Technologies

The debate over university technology commercialization persists in the media and nation's ivory towers, think tanks, and halls of government. Meanwhile there are organizations across the country that are not affiliated with universities that are proving quite successful at helping startup, small and mid-sized firms to commercialize technology regardless of its source — academic, federal lab, industry, or their own garages. The models may vary, but the results are the same: viable tech companies moving innovation into the marketplace. We'll learn more about the different models for success, some that have been around for years.

Presenters:

• Duane Roth, CEO, CONNECT
• Rick Ritter, Chief Executive Officer and President, Idaho TechConnect, Inc.

Moderator:

• Mark Skinner, Vice President, SSTI

Closing Plenary

Trends in TBED: What's the Road Ahead?

With heightened global competition, a still changing capital market, enormous fiscal challenges for all levels of government, and political transitions set to occur with the upcoming elections, the issues confronting technology-based economic development (TBED) have never been as challenging for policymakers and practitioners as they are now.

If past history is any indicator, however, those who are prepared to recognize and seize the opportunities presented in such challenging times will have an unparalleled chance to improve economic growth through science, technology and innovation.

SSTI's 14th Annual Conference will wrap up with this capstone session examining the latest trends affecting TBED, the most daunting challenges, the most promising opportunities, the implications and issues for TBED policymakers and practitioners, and a discussion of what road lies ahead for TBED.

Aided by instant polling and active audience participation, SSTI's President and CEO will lead this engaging session, a perennial favorite for regular conference attendees.

Plenary Speaker
Dan Berglund, President & CEO, SSTI