The National SBIR Fall Conference

Small businesses can learn how to apply for, and what it takes to win, some of the $1+billion in U.S. Government R&D investments at the October 2001 National SBIR Conference in Rapid City, SD.

This conference will feature multiple sessions of programming to address the questions and concerns of small businesses who want to learn more about SBIR and those who are already successful in Phase I and are looking to move forward into financing, partnering and commercialization.

What is the SBIR and why should YOU attend? The SBIR program funds high-risk projects at the earliest stages of development - before companies can attract venture capital. Over $1 billion will be awarded to innovative companies like yours in the next year. Terms are extremely favorable and the small business partner keeps the commercial rights to their intellectual property such as patents. To learn how your company can tap into this resource, join us in Rapid City.

Already participating in SBIR? Why should YOU attend? Focus will be placed on commercialization, utilizing existing technologies and resources. In addition, you will have access to agency, resource, organization and corporate representatives during the conference.

The Program Overview:
Attendees will be able to select sessions that best address their particular needs. In addition, pre- and post-conference hands-on workshops are available.

Pre-Conference, Tuesday, October 23rd, 7:30am-3:45pm (incl. Continental Breakfast & working lunch)

Proposal Preparation Workshop, Phase I – Presented by Jim & Gail Greenwood, Greenwood Consulting, Inc. under sponsorship of Sandia National Laboratories.

A hands-on, full-day workshop to walk you through, in detail, the process of writing a strong proposal. This popular workshop will go over the basics of developing a competitive Phase I SBIR or STTR proposal. A group critique of an actual proposal will give you insights into the whole process. An overview of basic government accounting concepts is included.

Materials Fee: $75. Advance registration is required and closes for this workshop on October 15th or when capacity has been reached. This is a very popular workshop so register early!

*THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELLED* Post-Conference, Friday, October 26^th, See Agenda for Times

Workshop #1: Phase III Commercialization - Business Beyond the Laboratory - Presented by Richard L. Lucas, Ph.D. and Carol E. Rabke, Ph.D., Dawnbreaker.

Today's increased emphasis on commercialization places greater demand on the SBIR/STTR recipient to take technology to the public marketplace. With the ultimate aim of creating jobs and growing the national economy, commercialization can cast the scientist or entrepreneur in an unfamiliar role. The objective of this workshop is to de-mystify the process of commercialization by explaining the steps which will enhance the likelihood of successful business ventures. A clearer understanding of the commercialization process will facilitate the changes in thinking and behavior which are required to grow a business beyond the laboratory.

Materials Fee: $35. Advanced registration is required for this workshop.

Notice: The SBIR Conference may cancel any workshop not receiving adequate advance registration. Should this happen, any fees collected will be refunded and registrants notified prior to the conference.

Workshop #2: Commercialization of University Research Results

This session is designed for university researchers and administrators interested in learning how to effectively commercialize research results. Various options including licensing, sale of technology, spin-off start-up companies, and collaborative research and business ventures with large, small and start-up companies will be discussed.

Materials Fee: $35. Advanced registration is required for this workshop.

Workshop #3: Phase II Proposal Preparation - Presented by Jim & Gail Greenwood, Greenwood Consulting, Inc. under sponsorship of Sandia National Laboratories.

Will your project continue after the initial Phase I effort? Can you compete successfully for a Phase II award and its higher funding level of up to $750K? How do you decide whether to go after Phase II, when should you begin preparing the Phase II proposal, and how will it differ from your Phase I proposal?

The goal of this workshop is to answer these questions and more. This session will draw on lessons learned by successful SBIR/STTR companies that have collectively won more than 125 Phase II awards, plus advice from SBIR/STTR Program Managers.

Materials Fee: $35. Advanced registration is required for this workshop.

Exhibits & One-on-Ones:
In addition to conference sessions and workshops, attendees will have the opportunity to visit agency exhibits and have one-on-one discussions with SBIR Program Managers, procurement specialists and organization and company representatives. The National SBIR/STTR Website & Resources booth will also be available on-site.

A limited number of Exhibit spaces and One-on-One Tables are available for conference attendees. If you are interested in exhibiting or participating in the Networking Room, please complete the necessary information on the Conference Registration Form and you will be contacted. In addition to the basic conference registration fee, a nominal $25 per One-on-One Table fee or a $50 per exhibit (10'x10') fee will be charged to cover direct costs.

Networking is the KEY!
Dedicated Networking Breaks are built right into the program to provide you with time to meet with agency, organization and company representatives.

Tuesday afternoon, October 23rd, the conference gets underway with the Introduction to the SBIR/STTR Program session from 4:00pm to 5:30pm, followed by the Welcome Reception. This reception will start at 5:45pm, after the introductory session. All first-timers are encouraged to attend the 4:00pm session and everyone is invited to join us for a Welcome to Rapid City!

A special Networking Reception is planned for Wednesday evening, October 24th, for all SBIR attendees and presenters after an introduction and overview of the agency programs.

Basically, you could spend countless time and money tracking down the information and contacts you can get at this National SBIR Conference! Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!

Conference Fees & General Registration Information:
Conference Registration is available via fax back forms for this conference. The Full SBIR Conference Registration provides you with all conference sessions, events and activities during conference hours, all materials, meals and refreshments. The Advance Full Registration fee, received by October 15^th, is $225. For planning purposes, we encourage you to register on or before Oct. 15th, however, as a courtesy to those of you who cannot confirm your attendance before this date, we will continue to honor the Advance Registration Fee of $225 for all registrations received after the 15th and for all On-Site Registrations.
See the Conference Registration & Options section for details. Cancellation Policy: Registrations are transferable when requested in writing. All cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing and faxed or mailed to the SBIR Conference Center. Cancellations received by October 15, 2001 will be refunded LESS a $35 processing fee. No refunds will be given for cancellations after October 15 or for No Shows at the conference. Optional workshops/events are offered in conjunction with this conference. In order to cover direct costs associated with providing these additional workshops/events, additional fees will apply. Registration details, deadlines and fees are available after each summary.

The hotel will hold the block open and continue to accept reservations at the conference rate on a space available basis. Reservations, changes or cancellation after October 15th are to be made with the hotel directly at .

Conference Program Detail:
Posting date September 21, 2001. The program presented below is current as of the posting date. Changes and modifications may be made prior to the actual conference dates. Please check for updates!