SSTI will be holding its first poster session dedicated entirely to celebrating why states, regions, universities and related organizations engage in TBED. Our goal is to have the best achievements in the field on display as posters at the conference. Each poster will profile a real success story providing hard evidence of how TBED investments are sustaining the nation’s position as a global leader for innovation and competitiveness – one local or regional project at a time.

Join fellow SSTI conference attendees for an opening reception at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland. Just like the music it pays homage to, inside and out, the Rock Hall exudes coolness. In addition to celebrating the opening of SSTI’s annual conference, we will be joined by Ohio Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, director of the Ohio Department of Development to mark the 25th anniversary of Ohio’s Thomas Edison Program and the state’s sustained investment in a broader set of TBED strategies and programs.
 

Crisp, clean air, blue waters and autumn leaves are just a few reasons why fall is the best time to visit Northeast Ohio. Cleveland was ranked as the number one “Most Livable City” in the U.S. by the Economist in 2005, primarily because it has all the benefits of a major city without sacrificing quality of life. Cleveland+ is home to major research institutions and healthcare organizations; major league sports teams; world-class cultural institutions; and great museums and entertainment attractions.

SSTI conference “regulars” know that this event is the field’s most stimulating and rewarding professional development investment one can make. Each year’s agenda provides new perspectives and approaches to dealing with common problems, new issues and the latest trends and challenges facing your efforts to encourage regional innovation. You can expect:

• In-depth examinations of some of the best state and regional approaches to cultivate a bright economic future.

SSTI’s 12th Annual Conference is made possible by the support of our lead host sponsor, NorTech, a team of Ohio co-hosts, and the generous support of our national conference sponsors. SSTI extends its appreciation and thanks to the following exemplary organizations serving as our national sponsors:

• Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation
• Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

Against the backdrop of Northeast Ohio, a region transitioning to a high-tech economy through focused efforts in industry growth and R&D activity, three state economic development directors championing economic growth will provide SSTI conference attendees with answers to the all important question, Where do we go from here? in a highly interactive and future-looking session.
 

An upcoming report finds that Hawaiian high-tech industries contributed $3 billion to the state's economy in 2007.

One of the exciting half-day pre-conference sessions at this years SSTI Annual Conference in Cleveland, Oct. 14-16, is tailored to organizations looking to get in on the action of partnering with federal laboratories across the country. Some of the brightest brains from the leadership of the federal laboratory system and state TBED organizations with successful fed lab experience will be at the session to provide specialized help for those in attendance.

SSTI will be holding its first poster session dedicated entirely to celebrating why states, regions, universities and related organizations engage in TBED. 

With an increased need to compete globally, the need for a highly educated workforce has taken center stage in a number of states. But with the continuing issue of college affordability, states are looking at new ways to increase the number of college graduates within their borders.

Register today to be sure you receive this special rate. On Wednesday, Sept. 24, registration fees will increase by $100. Hosted by NorTech, the 2008 SSTI Annual Conference will be held at the beautiful InterContinental Hotel & Conference Center Cleveland, October 14-16.

This year, SSTI is providing conference attendees with the unique opportunity to take part in plenary and semi-plenary conference sessions through direct involvement and interaction with leaders in the TBED community – industry leaders, economic development directors, and university presidents to name a few.

With a blockbuster agenda, the first block of hotel rooms already sold out and a second block in the nearby Intercontinental Suites filling rapidly, SSTI's 12th Annual Conference in Cleveland, Oct. 14-16, is on pace to be a very special event for those TBED practitioners and policymakers who wisely register soon!

We've been keeping you focused on SSTI's 12th annual conference, coming up Oct 14-16 at the Intercontinental Hotel Cleveland, but believe it or not, we're already working to ensure the 2009 and 2010 are as good or even better!

On Feb. 13, we announced the 2009 conference will be hosted by KTEC, one of the oldest and most successful TBED models in the country. The event will be held in Overland Park, KS on Oct. 20-22, 2009.

States are increasingly seeking new approaches to maintaining a pipeline of skilled workers, qualified to fill the gaps left by baby boomers retiring in the coming years and college graduates pursuing career options elsewhere.

Only 12 days remain for you to register before Encouraging Regional Innovation kicks off on October 14 in Cleveland with four pre-conference sessions. With the economy seemingly changing every hour, there's never been a more important time to join your colleagues at the nation's premier conference on tech-based economic development.

Technology-focused incubators are an important component to fostering entrepreneurial development in a region by nurturing businesses in the earliest stages of development and helping them grow into larger companies that employ high-wage workers and bring new technologies to the market. The following select announcements provide an overview of new incubators from across the nation, illustrating the vital role of entrepreneurial development in growing high-tech regional economies.

For several years governors across the country have announced life science and biotech initiatives that are as broad as they are large. The devil is in the details, and in most cases related to bio-based economic development, so are the opportunities.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) announced earlier this month the establishment of five new university-based centers developing interdisciplinary research and education programs in partnership with industry in the areas of biorenewable chemicals, green energy systems, communications networks, medical implants and smart lighting.

Complete descriptions of these opportunities and others are available at http://www.ssti.org/posting.htm.

Southern Growth hired Ted Abernathy, Jr., former Executive Vice President & COO of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, to serve as its Executive Director, filling the vacancy created by Jim Clinton's resignation in September.

Together, we’re growing a strong and vibrant tech-based economic development community.



State Sponsors

Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Washington Life Sciences Discovery Fund



Affiliates