SSTI Accepting Bids for Site of 2004 Annual Conference

With preparations for SSTI's 7th Annual Conference on October 20-22 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 profession in 2004. Because of the increased interest, SSTI has bumped up its schedule for selecting the 2004 site. We are accepting nominations of host organizations and locations for SSTI's 8th Annual Conference until July 11, 2003.

Held in late September or October each year, SSTI’s annual two-and-a-half day event attracts approximately 300 participants from more than 40 states and several countries. The conference is especially designed for those engaged in tech-based economic development on the local, regional, state or national level.

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 tech-based economic development efforts. Specific benefits include:

• Minimal or no travel expenses incurred for conference attendees from your selected state. This cost savings and convenience facilitates greater attendance by key state and local decision makers and practitioners in the region's tech-based economic development community. The result can be a better understanding and stronger commitment among legislators and civic leaders to building a tech-based economy, as well as reinvigorating your program staff and board with fresh ideas, perspectives and professional development tips from peers from around the country attending the event.
• Opportunity to help determine pre-conference activities, speakers for conference sessions and a local dignitary for the keynote address;
• Conference host, location and site featured in the SSTI Weekly Digest, on SSTI's website in promotional materials and external article placements; and,
• At least 10 complimentary conference registrations for distribution to local funding organizations.

Nominations may be from collaborations of several organizations, with a lead organization designated as host. The lead organization for the 2004 conference must be an SSTI Sponsor or Affiliate in good standing for all of 2004. (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.

SSTI is very excited to hold the 2003 conference at the beautiful Bell Harbor International Conference Center in Seattle. Examples of previous locations include the Ritz-Carlton, Dearborn in Dearborn, Mich. (2002), the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh (2001), the Regal Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago (2000), and the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis (1999).

Interested organizations are encouraged to e-mail SSTI by July 11, 2003, indicating they would like to submit an application. By July 18, SSTI will narrow the list of candidate cities and provide them a full application package. All inquiries may be addressed to Becky Blatt, SSTI's development director, at blatt@ssti.org.