The Micro-enterprise Inventors Program of Oregon (MIPO) and the Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (OSBDC) will host the SBIR/STTR 2012 National Conference.
The theme “Crack the Code” is designed to promote discovery of the key issues to successful grant applications – creating connections, fostering new opportunities, showcasing diversity, and exploring innovative possibilities for both new and experienced SBIR recipients.
This conference will provide critical information to small businesses competing for SBIR/STTR grants and contracts, which amount to approximately $2.5 billion in funding annually. Entrepreneurs can meet one-on-one with federal program managers; learn from SBIR/STTR past recipients, and tap into successful commercialization strategiesthrough experts in the field.
“Oregon has a long and proud tradition of entrepreneurship and technology innovation, and it’s one that we must carry on into the 21st century to create new industries and jobs for Oregonians. Our state is home to the city with the most patented inventions in the nation, making Oregon an ideal location for this conference.
The National Small Business Research Innovation Conference is a great place for our innovators to get the resources they need to make their ideas a reality, and I’m pleased that we will be hosting it next year,” says Senator Jeff Merkley.
The event is expected to draw nearly one thousand entrepreneurs and business development professionals from across the U.S., along with federal agency program managers and directors, business executives, federal contractors and university researchers. Speakers are slated to discuss topics covering the winning formulae for successful SBIR/STTR grants, as well as the major factors influencing failure. Technology tracks will include speakers on biomedical/health, defense/security, energy/clean-tech, agricultural/food and much more.
This conference in particular will highlight the incredible success stories of women-owned and minority-owned firms that have built innovative platforms through the SBIR/STTR programs.
Attendees should prepare themselves for three information-filled days of success stories, workshops, presentations, exhibits, and new developments. This conference will also include a small business legal clinic and informative preevent webinars.
Rick Shindell included the following advice regarding this event in the latest edition of the SBIR Insider Newsletter (see www.zyn.com/sbir/insider/sb-insider10-01-12.htm):
If there has ever been a “must attend” National SBIR conference, this is it! With the new SBIR and STTR Policy Directives active and in place, this will be the first time you’ll be able to hear directly from the agencies as to what the changes will be and how each agency is implementing them. You’ll also be able to schedule 1 on 1 time for face to face communication with program managers.
SBA will be there, as will several IGs. As a first, there will be a session with an IG panel that includes a small business advocate attorney, a guy named Jere Glover.
There will also be a session on the reauthorization and congressional intent featuring Ms. Kevin Wheeler, the SBIR superstar Senate staffer who has helped keep SBIR alive since the late 90’s. Ms. Wheeler was the SBIR Person of the Year for 2008. Believe me folks, no congressional staffer has fought longer and harder for your SBIR program than Kevin. Kevin will be joined by Jere Glover and there will be some troublemaker named Rick Shindell to moderate.
Location: Doubletree Hotel Portland, 1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, Oregon
Contact: Kedma Ough , MIPO Director
(503) 546-8813 kedma@mipooregon.org
Please check the following link for conference updates:http://oregonsbir.com/index.html
