Unmatched Value in SSTI Conference Agenda

Each year, SSTI members assemble timely, relevant session topics offering practical information with lessons that can be directly applied to issues currently facing the TBED community. Rest assured that when you return from the conference, you will be equipped with fresh ideas to tackle your organization’s most pressing needs. SSTI uses a two-stage survey process during the summer months to develop the conference agenda, rather than having the agenda set by invitation or call for papers many months in advance. Given the breadth and diversity of interests and perspectives among SSTI’s membership, the slate of sessions is assured to offer more than one topic of interest for nearly every component of the TBED community. 
 
Back by popular demand this year, SSTI is offering two full- and two half-day pre-conference sessions. This is your opportunity to learn what is working across the country to transform regional economies through science, technology and innovation. A separate registration fee is required to attend the pre-conference sessions.
 
New to this year’s conference agenda are four highly interactive plenary and semi-plenary sessions dedicated to exploring the future look of TBED. We’ll use instant audience polling, a relaxed interview format and active audience participation to explore some of the biggest challenges facing the economic development field, the role of higher education in regional innovation, calls for action to develop and support a federal TBED agenda, and a perennial favorite, "Trends: What’s Next for TBED?".
 
Accompanying the pre-conference and interactive sessions are the more intimate breakout sessions. Led by seasoned professionals in the TBED community, these sessions will explore topics focusing on open innovation, building the high-tech workforce, fostering entrepreneurship, and alternative sources to financing TBED initiatives, to name a few. The following is a list of the sessions. Full descriptions and lists of speakers are available online at: http://www.ssticonference.org/Conf08/schedule.htm
 
Full-day Pre-conference Workshop Options:

• Secrets for Successful Biocommercialization Support
• Introduction to Tech-based Economic Development