Innovation '09 - Third Annual Entrepreneurship Conference

Innovation '09 is the premier regional event that will bring together technologists, funders, entrepreneurs and business leaders involved with Innovation! For the first time, this year's conference will showcase some the most promising emerging technologies in the Tampa Bay region. Fifteen innovators from various sectors including life sciences, information technology, clean technologies, aviation & aerospace, homeland security/defense, consumer products manufacturing and wireless communications will be presenting their creative ideas at the opening reception Poster Session. This conference will provide excellent networking opportunities for all attendees, as well as presentations and panel discussions by some of the area's best known business leaders. Conference themes include:

• Entrepreneurship & Intrapreneurship
• High growth ventures
• Innovative business models
• Collaboration for innovation
• Methods & tools for funding innovation through government programs
• Commercializing and financing innovation
• Organizational creativity & idea generation
• Protecting intellectual property
• Challenges of maintaining a competitive edge
• Rapid pace of innovation & technology change

Conference topics & speakers include:

Keynote Session:

• Creating a Culture for Innovation & Collaboration in the Tampa Bay Region Larry Langebrake, Director of Marine Technology Program, SRI International Len Polizzotto, Strategic Business Development & Marketing, Draper Labs Jeff Lyash, President & CEO, Progress Energy Florida (Moderator)

Conference Sessions:

• The Fast Pace of Innovation & Challenges of Maintaining a Competitive Edge in a Global Market James E. Failor, President, CTC Tampa Bay Inc. Doug Martin, Managing Partner, Business Consulting Group, LLC(Introduction)
• Innovation or Expiration: Challenges of Surviving in the Current Economy Dean Akers, CEO, Ideal Image Suzie Boland, President, RFB Communications Group (Introduction)
• Success Breeds Success: High Growth Ventures Tony DiBenedetto, Chairman & CEO, Tribridge Marc Fratello, CEO & President, SOE Software Corporation Chase Stockon, CEO & President, Panther International John West, CEO, Lion Investments Shawn Hughes, President & COO, ThermoEnergy Corporation (Moderator)
• Protecting Intellectual Property Michael Colitz, Shareholder, GrayRobinson Doug Martin, Managing Partner, Business Consulting Group, LLC (Introduction)
• Methods & Tools for Funding Innovation through Government Programs Awilda Lopez-Cepero, CEO, Government Contracting & Marketing Services LLC Peter Grotsky, President, Government Contracting & Marketing Services LLC Nancy Howe, Publisher, Maddux Business Report (Moderator)
• Funding Strategies in the Current Economy Tom Cardy, Managing Director, Hyde Park Capital Partners, LLC David Doney, Shareholder, Fowler White Boggs Matt Rice, Vice President, Ballast Point Ventures Robin Kovaleski, Executive Director, Florida Venture Forum (Moderator)

Reception & Poster Session: Wednesday, June 3rd, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Conference: Thursday, June 4th, 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Register today at: www.STARTECflorida.com/conference