In the September 5, 2007 Issue:

Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2007. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged — please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected.

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Transforming Regional Economies: The Essence of Tech-Based Economic Development
Incubators and accelerators. Angel, seed and venture capital. Research parks. University and industry research. Technology licensing and commercialization. Entrepreneurship assistance. R&D tax credits. Technology workforce development. Regional technology councils. Manufacturing extension. Science and technology advisers.

While all have specific functions, collectively, when supported by public funds, these activities are working toward a single goal of transforming a regional economy to be more competitive in the knowledge-driven global market for innovation and growth.

These are not the same components used for conventional economic development approaches that strive to improve or maintain economic vitality of a geographic area. Technology-Based Economic Development (TBED) is driven to improve the standard of living of the residents and businesses of an area while simultaneously increasing their capacity to generate new opportunities for wealth creation into the future through targeted strategies and investments focused on encouraging a combination of knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

How well TBED programs work together depends on many variables. Not the least important is the degree to which they embrace concepts of cooperation, partnership, integration and unity in vision. Often, this shared interest for transforming the local or state economy gets lost in petty turf issues, lack of community leadership, overlapping services, isolation, battles for limited financial resources, political power struggles, and competing needs for recognition or public credit. The full economic benefit or impact of public investments to encourage growth through science and technology can remain unrealized as a result. SSTI knows, sadly, that the majority of Digest readers will be able to think of at least one segment of their own local, regional or state strategy that suffers from these types of problems.

Fortunately, there is a solution.

There is a single place, a single event, a single phenomenon even, each year at which the leadership and staff from the complete spectrum of programs and practices dedicated to transforming regional economies share common experiences, insights and approaches. During much of the year they may be dedicated to their specific function or role or "silo" of TBED, but collectively they form a national community dedicated to advancing innovation-based economic growth. For a few days this fall, most of the top 350-375 TBED practitioners and policymakers will convene in Baltimore to improve the ability of each participant to positively transform their regional economies through science and technology, R&D, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The event is SSTI's 11th annual conference. The dates are Oct. 18-19. The place is the beautiful Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel. The participants will be drawn from the full spectrum of the TBED practice from across the country — last year, TBED leaders from 46 states were present. It is the only event that draws such a wide cross-section of the TBED community and, as a result, provides the premiere professional development opportunity of the year for launching, re-energizing or improving the TBED talents of your state, region, university or locality.

We invite you to join your peers at this special event. Attendance will be limited to ensure the high quality of interaction, dialogue and community past participants have grown to expect from SSTI's annual conference. This one will sell out so please register early.

More information, including a registration form, is available at: http://www.ssticonference.org/

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Something for Every TBED-er in SSTI Conference Agenda
Once again, SSTI's members have assembled one of our finest slates of sessions yet to anchor the 11th annual conference, Oct. 18-19, in Baltimore. Providing the core of the conference, the 19 sessions are structured to allow ample discussion time among participants, something we're told sets SSTI's conferences apart from the rest.

Additionally, SSTI uses a two-stage survey process each summer to develop the conference agenda rather than having the agenda set by invitation or call for papers many months in advance. The result is all topics to be discussed were ranked as being of highest interest or most pressing need by SSTI's sponsors and affiliates — your peers from around the country! Given the breadth and diversity of interests and perspectives present among SSTI's membership, the slate of sessions is assured to offer at least one topic of interest for nearly every component of the TBED community during each of the five time slots offering concurrent breakout sessions. In many cases there will be multiple sessions you'd like to attend, making the team approach the best way to participate. Bringing multiple members of your state or local TBED community will also enable you to better transform the excitement and new knowledge gained at the conference into a solid action plan when you return home.

The following is a list of the sessions. Full descriptions and lists of speakers are available online at: http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf07/schedule.htm

The conference closes out with the perennial favorite, What's Next for TBED?, an engaging discussion among all conference participants on the trends, challenges and opportunities facing TBED practitioners across the country. As always, the discussion will be led by SSTI President and CEO Dan Berglund.

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Keynote Addresses Highlight Entrepreneurial and Academic Perspectives for TBED
Attendees at SSTI's 11th annual conference will be fortunate to participate in plenary sessions led off by keynote addresses highlighting two of the most critical elements of TBED — successful entrepreneurship and engaged institutions of higher learning. 

Our opening plenary session provides the opportunity to hear from Kevin Plank, chairman and chief executive officer of Under Armour Inc. Call it an enterprising hunch, a brilliant brainstorm or a stroke of pure genius, Mr. Plank started Under Armour in 1995, when he was special teams captain for the University of Maryland football team. Tired of repeatedly changing the cotton T-shirt under his jersey as it became wet and heavy during the course of a game, he set out to develop a next-generation shirt that would remain drier and lighter and consistently perform under the most extreme conditions. A few tireless years later, Mr. Plank oversaw the company's November 2005 IPO, the first to double on opening day in five years, and the December 2006 move from the NASDAQ to the New York Stock Exchange. In 2006, he was the distinguished recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year national award in the Retail and Consumer Products Category. An inspiring speaker, Mr. Plank will provide the perfect opening to why TBED is practiced in every area of the country.

Our second keynote speaker is also a special honor for SSTI. Dr. William E. "Brit" Kirwan is chancellor of the University System of Maryland and a nationally recognized authority on critical issues shaping the higher education landscape. Universities provide the foundation of the most TBED and innovation-based strategies to encourage growth, and nearly every academic institution in the nation is being challenged to adapt to the forces of global competitiveness and fiscal realities. Dr. Kirwan is a much sought-after speaker on a wide range of topics, including diversity, access and affordability, cost containment, accountability, economic impact, gender equity, financial aid, partnerships, and innovation. SSTI is excited to have him enlighten us with his insights during our lunch plenary session.

Full bios for each keynote speaker are provided at: http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf07/keynote.htm

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Inaugural Excellence in TBED Awards to be Presented at Conference
SSTI's annual conference is as much a community homecoming as it a unique professional development opportunity. With our latest addition to the schedule, SSTI is making it even more of both! By attending SSTI's annual conference this year, you have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be present for the inaugural-year announcement of SSTI's Excellence in TBED Award winners. The Award recognizes the longstanding achievements made by the TBED community in promoting research, entrepreneurial development, a skilled workforce, and innovation in existing companies. The celebration will be held following lunch on Oct. 18.

Strong evidence of the need for a recognition program for the TBED community was provided by the breadth and sheer number of applications SSTI received for the first-ever awards in six categories:

Conference participants are certain to be impressed with how the initiatives gained momentum, achieved their success, and used experience, innovation and resourcefulness to create such inspiring programs. Overviews of the winning initiatives will be presented through two specially dedicated breakout sessions during the conference. As one of the selection criteria focused heavily on program replicability, the knowledge to be gained through these examples, alone, is worth the price of admission.

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Location! Location! Location! Baltimore's Inner Harbor Adds Excitement to Conference
It isn't every conference you consider attending that offers so much content in such a dynamic and fun location - so much that this one warrants extending your stay in Baltimore to play over the weekend. Our conference site is strategically located at the center of the Baltimore's exciting Inner Harbor. The active waterfront is beautiful, offering dozens of options to satisfy all of your cravings — dining, tourist attractions, arts, nightlife, shopping and convenient walking tours. The Inner Harbor is just one of the reasons Baltimore is a perennial destination city. Don't just take our word for it, though. Check it out here:  http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf07/amenities.htm

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Opening Night Reception to Showcase Generosity, Spirit of Our Maryland Sponsors
A fun-filled evening of music, drinks and scrumptious hor d'oeurves awaits participants of SSTI's conference with the opening reception at the Marine Mammal Pavilion of the world-famous National Aquarium in Baltimore. This festive event is possible due to the generosity of Team Maryland, a group of 21 Maryland organizations supporting technology-based economic development in their state and region:

Just a short stroll from the hotel, the pavilion is home to the Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and the exhibit, Frogs! A Chorus of Colors! While the opening reception begins Wednesday night, Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m, attendees are invited to take a self-guided public tour of the entire aquarium, beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m. When entering the venue, simply mention that you are a guest of the SSTI conference.

The opening reception affords a wonderful, relaxed environment to reconnect with colleagues and network with other conference attendees, speakers and our local hosts. Please arrange your travel plans for the conference to join us for the fun!

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What to Expect at an SSTI Annual Conference
SSTI's annual conference is the field's most stimulating and rewarding professional development event of the year. We hope you are planning on joining us in Baltimore, Oct. 18-19. You can expect:

If you have come before, you know that each year's agenda provides the newest perspectives, thinking and approaches to dealing with common problems, new issues and the latest trends and challenges facing your efforts to transform your regional economy.

Register today to attend SSTI's 11th Annual Conference, Transforming Regional Economies, at: http://www.ssticonference.org/

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Perfect Partners Make a Perfect Event
In addition to the 21-member Team Maryland, led by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and the University System of Maryland, SSTI's 11th annual conference is made possible by the support of its national partners. SSTI extends its appreciation and thanks to the generous support received by the following exemplary organizations:

Descriptions of all local and national partners, including links to their individual websites for more information, are available at: http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf07/partners.htm

Participants are invited to join SSTI in thanking our partners during the Thursday, Oct. 18 reception, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The hosted reception is the best way to begin decompressing from the full day of intensive conference sessions, to meet our exhibiting partners at their booths, and to continue conversations with your fellow conference participants. Hors d'ouerves and complimentary beverages will be served.

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Looking for More Information?
The full 32-page conference brochure is available as a PDF here: http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf07/brochure.pdf

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