Partnership Brings Laser Photonics to Wekiva High School

Orange County Public Schools, Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Laser Systems business unit and Valencia Community College publicly announced the formation of Florida’s first high school Laser Photonics Academy, at Wekiva High School.

The Wekiva High School Laser Photonics Career Academy enables students to combine academic course work with practical hands-on learning experiences using state-of-the-art equipment. It will prepare students for a career in laser photonics. The academy is open to students who maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average and allows them to earn 48 college credits if they successfully complete the four-year program. Students will have the flexibility to enter the workforce right after graduation, or continue their formal education at the college level.
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[Used with permission from the 14 December 2009 newsletter of the Manufacturer's Association of Central Florida (MACF - www.macf.biz).]

Jim Lipscomb Receives Award for Outstanding Contributor of the Year from the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF)

Suzanne & Jim Lipscomb at MACF annual dinner where Jim received award for Outstanding Contributor of the Year from the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF). Jim is with Northrop Grumman Corporation, Laser Systems (NGC/LS) in Apopka, Florida. NGC/LS is a member of the Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC) and a Bronze sponsor of the FPC.

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[Posted with permission from the 14 December 2009 newsletter of the Manufacturer's Association of Central Florida (MACF - www.macf.biz)]

FPC Member represents American optics interests in Berlin ISO meeting

Ray Williamson Consulting, an FPC member, represented American optics interests in a recent Berlin ISO meeting. Good international standards facilitate commerce, but writing them is not easy. This is the job of ISO, and the U.S. supports ISO's optics standards through ANSI's Optics and Electro-Optics Standards Committee (OEOSC.)

Ray Williamson, as a voting expert in OEOSC, volunteers time at OEOSC meetings several times per year, edits American and ISO documents, and attends ISO meetings. In November 2009, he was part of the American delegation in Berlin along with Allen Krisiloff of Triptar Lens Company, David Aikens of Savvy Optics, Marla Dowell of NIST, and Gordon Boultbee of JDSU.

Ray's major effort this year was fixing numerous problems in ISO 10110-6 (centering tolerances) and adding definitions and and notations for runout and beam deviation at the request of American manufacturers. The new version is expected to be available in 2011.

Florida Venture Capital Conference

The Florida Venture Forum is holding its 2010 Florida Venture Capital Conference 2-3 February 2010 at the Omni Orlando Resort. Full information on the event, registration, and sponsorship opportunities are online at www.floridaventureforum.org.

Schedule for OC Grant Consulting Capacity Building Seminarsfor 2010

Are you inspired to start a new non-profit organization? Are you a new non-profit who have not obtained 501c3 tax exemption? Do you want to increase your chances of obtaining funding for a new or existing program?. If you answered yes to any of the above, the Capacity Building Seminar Series is the right training for you. These seminars are designed for aspiring or new nonprofit Executives, Managers, Administrator and leaders of grassroots, faith and community-based organizations.

Capacity Building Seminars for Non-profit Faith and Community-based Organizations

Seminar I: How to Start a Non-profit Organization & Obtain 501(c) 3 Exemption – 01/9/2010
Seminar II: Board Development for New Nonprofits – 01/23/2010 Seminar III: Program Design & Planning – 01/30/2010 Seminar IV: Volunteer Management – 02/13/2010
Seminar V: Introduction to Grant Writing – 02/27/2010


All Seminars will be held at the Orlando Business Development Center-District 2
3218 E. Colonial Drive, Suite G
Orlando, Florida 32803 (Colonial Landing Shopping Plaza)
All Seminars are held Saturdays 9:00-11:30 a.m.
All Seminars are $25.00 each. Register for 4 Seminars and the 5th is Free.
Register on-line at www.ocgrantconsulting.com



OC Grant Consulting Associates LLC
Orlando Business Development Center,
3218 E. Colonial Dr. Suite G
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: 321-281-8346 Fax: 321-281-8380

Florida Today: Photonics holds promise for job creation

Several FPC members recently corresponded with a writer at Florida Today on an article about the importance of photonics to the state of Florida. You can now view the article online (see below). I've also extracted it in a WORD version (see attached). It's a fine article on photonics and its job creation potential in Florida. I'm quoted in it as are Keith Riffee (Triple Play Communications), Jennifer Ogburn (Harris Corp.), and Warren Seale (Gooch & Housego).

To view the contents on www.floridatoday.com, go to: http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200912060108/BUSINESS/912060311

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

UCF Community Jobs Forum

Community Jobs Forum

Friday, December 11, 2009 3 to 5 p.m.
University of Central Florida

Receive an invitation with an RSVP to tbryer@mail.ucf.edu.

• The forum is free and open to the public.
  
• The Community Jobs Forum offers Central Florida community members an opportunity to share insights and ideas on ways to create jobs in the current
  economic climate.
  
• The forum was planned in response to a recent call from the White House for community leaders to host job forums.
  
• The information gathered at the forum will be shared in a report submitted directly to the White House administration.
  
• Last year, UCF’s Department of Public Administration held a community forum on health care in response to a similar call from the White House. The forum was one of four out of 3,276 conducted around the country to be featured in a final report from the White House administration.

LightPath Technologies New Product Announcement

LightPath Technologies Introduces RoHS compliant, High Index Molded Glass
Aspheres for telecommunications systems.

(December 1, 2009) Orlando, FL. LightPath Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: LPTH - News), is pleased to announce the introduction of a new family of RoHS compliant, high index of refraction molded glass aspheric lenses designed specifically to for the telecommunications market.

Molded aspheric lenses made from lead based glasses have long been used in laser to fiber coupling systems inside of transceiver packages. RoHS compliance has been difficult to achieve based on the high performance requirements of these systems and the inherent capabilities of lead based glasses. LightPath Technologies has developed a set of lenses that replaces LightPath’s current lead-glass based products and meets the RoHS standards. Current demand for LightPath’s family of new RoHS compliant lenses is strong. The requirement for these lenses is being driven by the infrastructure upgrade for 3G wireless networks and new networks in developing countries, such as China which has over 700 million subscribers and continues to grow. LightPath Technologies is currently manufacturing these lenses in production
volumes through our facility in Shanghai, China.

Contacts: Ray Pini, Director of Marketing
LightPath Technologies, Inc.
Phone: (407) 382-4003
Email: rpini@lightpath.com
Internet: www.lightpath.com

This news release includes statements that constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute
to such differences include, but are not limited to, factors detailed by LightPath Technologies, Inc. in its public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
GRADIUM® is a registered trademark of LightPath Technologies

House R&D Caucus hears about light-based innovation in SPIE-sponsored briefing

SPIE sponsored an R&D Caucus event in DC last week and according to SPIE it went well; the program was excellent. The ppts and audio have been posted in the SPIE newsroom at http://spie.org/x38175.xml. The FPC and UCF federal relations staff were among those encouraging this interaction to increase the visibility of how important photonics is to advances in biotech, energy, and other high-priority areas.

UCF Research & Commercialization Nationally Noted in FY 2009

The power of research & commercialization at UCF was noted in a variety of publications in FY 2009 and a newly released annual report includes a selection of those articles that cited the strength of UCF's patents, the impact of research grants on the Central Florida economy and UCF's contributions to the innovation economy.

You can read about what others say about UCF and ORC here, in the ORC's FY 2009 Annual Report: http://www.research.ucf.edu/AnnualReport.html

Congratulations to MJ Soileau, VP for Research, and to Tom O'Neal, Assoc. VP for Research & Commercialization, and all the ORC staff, on the fine recognition and on a great year for ORC!

Register Now for the Community College Conference on Legal Issues

EARLY- BIRD REGISTRATION RATES OFFERED THROUGH JANUARY 5th

Register Now for the Community College Conference on Legal Issues
An opportunity to increase your confidence in handling challenging situations on the job and to update your knowledge of the constantly evolving laws that impact your work.

Join your colleagues for the Community College Conference on Legal Issues at The Peabody Orlando, January 31 – February 2, 2010 in Orlando, Florida. Attendance will allow opportunities to examine case studies, scenarios, policies and best practices on key topics relevant to the distinctive legal challenges community colleges face.

Hosted by Valencia Community College, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Council on Education, Florida Association of Community Colleges, the College Board, and the National Association of College and University Attorneys, this dynamic conference addresses the complex issues, current trends, and numerous legal matters unique to community colleges. Conference sessions will serve as a forum for communication among front-line workers and practitioners at all levels. Come join us as we learn from the experts and consider how we each can apply what we learn in areas including:

Campus safety and emergency preparedness
Recruitment and hiring practices
Discrimination and harassment
Considerations of race and diversity factors
Student privacy issues
Intellectual property
ADA compliance
Employee relations
Social networking
First Amendment rights

Register early and receive a discount!

Early-Bird Registration ends January 5, 2010.

For more information, visit www.valenciacc.edu/communitycollegelaw or call Valencia's Conference & Meeting Planning Services at 407-582-3219. We look forward to seeing you in Orlando! Sincerely,

Bill MullowneyVice President for Policy and General CounselValencia Community Collegebmullowney@valenciacc.edu

Susan KelleyVice President for Institutional AdvancementValencia Community Collegeskelley@valenciacc.edu

CREOL: Making the most of your presentation

Making the most of your presentation

Dr. Jean-luc Doumont, Stanford University
February 26th, 2010 - 4-6pm
CREOL 102 & 103

ABSTRACT

Strong oral presentation skills are a key to success for engineers, scientists, and other professionals, yet many speakers are at a loss to tackle the task. Systematic as they otherwise can be in their work, they go at it intuitively, sometimes haphazardly, with much good will but seldom good results. Based on Dr Doumont’s book _Trees, maps, and theorems_ about "effective communication for rational minds", this lecture proposes a systematic way to prepare and deliver presentations. Among others, it covers structure, slides, and delivery, as well as stage fright.
　
BIOGRAPHY:

An engineer from the Louvain School of Engineering and PhD in applied physics from Stanford University, Jean-luc Doumont now devotes his time and energy to training engineers, scientists, business people, and other rational minds in effective communication, pedagogy, statistical thinking, and related themes. Articulate, entertaining, and thought-provoking, Dr Doumont is a popular invited speaker worldwide, in particular at international scientific conferences, research laboratories, and top-ranked universities. For additional information, visit www.principiae.be.

For More Information:

Christina Willis
407-823-6832
cwillis@creol.ucf.edu

NIH Seeks Imaging Research Proposals (Applications Due: April 11, 2011)

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting research proposals for its "Quick-Trials for Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions: Exploratory Grants" program. The program "is intended to support clinical trials conducting preliminary evaluation of the safety and efficacy of imaging agents, as well as an assessment of imaging systems, image processing, image-guided therapy, contrast kinetic modeling, and 3-D reconstruction and other quantitative tools." Applications are due by April 11, 2011.

From "Quick-Trials for Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions: Exploratory Grants" Grants.gov (09/18/09)

Courtesy OSA R&D Insider: New Grant Opportunities

DARPA Seeks Research Proposals on Bioinspired Photonics (Applications Due: August 16, 2010)

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for its Bioinspired Photonics program. The program's goal "is to design and fabricate structured materials that will demonstrate either dynamic tunability of the optical response, or sensing capability of organic volatiles, using bioinspired photonic structures capable of operating in the visible and near infrared." Applications are due by August 16, 2010.
From "Bioinspired Photonics" Grants.gov (08/17/09)

Courtesy OSA R&D Insider: New Grant Opportunities

Nelson Talks Shuttle Extension, Workforce Retention (Source: Florida Today)

Sen. Bill Nelson is not lobbying specifically for flying the shuttle longer, but rather for the president to take the recommendation of his blue-ribbon panel and increase NASA's budget long-term. That would help speed development of whatever replacement is chosen. The senator reinforced that the White House panel had cited safety as a potential drawback of extending the shuttle program. Nelson added the White House and Congress must "commit to help the workforce during the disruption" between retirement of the shuttles in 2010 or 2011 and the ramp-up toward the replacement system's first flights. Click here to view the interview. (11/9)

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

More Florida Members Sign-On to Kosmas NASA Funding Letter (Source: NSS)

The National Space Society reports that the bipartisan "Dear Colleague" letter sponsored by Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas and Congressman Ken Calvert, seeking an addition of $3 billion to NASA's budget, has gained several signatures from representatives around the nation, including the following Florida members: C. Brown, A. Grayson, A. Hastings, K. Meek, R. Klein, D. Wasserman-Schultz, R. Wexler, B. Posey, and T. Rooney. (11/12)

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

NIH NBIB Application for Phase II U01

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) invites U01 applications for Phase II implementation of the NIBIB Quantum Grant program. The goal is to achieve a profound (quantum) advance over present-day approaches in the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a major disease or national public health problem. Applicants need not have received a Phase I award to submit a Phase II application. Up to 3 awards may be made from $8 million in FY10. Eligibility is unrestricted. Letters of intent are due Dec 22 with applications due Jan 22. More information regarding RFA-EB-09-003 is available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-09-003.html

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

NSF's CHE-DMR-DMS Solar Energy Initiative

The purpose of NSF's CHE-DMR-DMS Solar Energy Initiative is to support interdisciplinary efforts by groups of researchers to address the scientific challenges of highly efficient harvesting, conversion, and storage of solar energy. Groups must include three or more co-Principal Investigators of whom one must be a researcher in chemistry, a second in materials, and a third in mathematical sciences in areas supported by the Divisions of Chemistry, Materials Research, and others. Visit http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503298&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

NRL Solicitation for Remote Explosive Detection System

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has announced its intent to issue a solicitation to investigate prototype research for a Remote Explosive Detection System suitable for field testing, based on a NRL developed infrared photo-thermal breadboard system. It is anticipated that only one award will result from this procurement for a final prototype design and an option for building and testing the designed prototype. No information on eligibility, response date, or release date of the full solicitation is provided. More information regarding N00173-10-R-SK01 is available at: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/ONR/N00173/N00173-10-R-SK01/listing.html

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

DARPA Invitation

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) invites research proposals to investigate high-energy pulsed fiber lasers and amplifiers that can be coherently combined to efficiently form a near-diffraction limited laser beam in the far-field. Approximately $6.3 million will be available to fund 2 proposals. The solidification currently has unrestricted eligibility. First round proposals will be due Dec 12. More information regarding DARPA-BAA-10-13 is available at: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/DARPA-BAA-10-13/listing.html

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

USAF SBIR

On or about Nov 12, the Department of the Air Force will open its 2010 Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I Program. SBIR Phase I awards will not exceed $100,000 and eligibility is limited to U.S. small businesses. The deadline for proposals is Jan 13. More information regarding DoDSBIR2010_1 is available at: http://www.dodsbir.net/solicitation

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

AIAA Plans Aerospace Sciences Event in Orlando on Jan. 4-7 (Source: AIAA)

The AIAA will hold the 48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting (including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition) at the Orlando World Center Marriott on Jan. 4-7. This is a major multidisciplinary event for aerospace scientists and engineers from around the world. It provides an forum for scientists and engineers from industry, government, and academia to share and disseminate scientific knowledge and research results with a view toward new technologies for aerospace systems. New additions to the event for 2010 include a Jan. 4 session entitled NASA Research: Then and Now. The early-bird registration deadline is Dec. 7. Click here for information and registration.

Courtesy FLORIDA SPACErePORT

UCF Professor Helps Launch New Space-Travel Industry (Source: UCF)

More than 40 years after man first set foot on the moon, space travel remains for its many fans a lifelong dream that is rarely realized. Joshua E. Colwell, an associate professor of planetary science at the University of Central Florida, is about to help change that. In the past three months, Mr. Colwell and a few other university scientists have begun working with a group of small companies that are close to launching a new generation of privately built spacecraft that would let human passengers routinely travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere to the beginning of outer space. The companies bear such names as Space Adventures, SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Orbital Outfitters. They expect their flights, at about $200,000 a ticket, to cater mostly to wealthy tourists, at least at first. (11/18)

Courtesy FLORIDA SPACErePORT

Florida Gets $98.7 Million Thus Far for Stimulus Research Projects (Source: WIRED)

More than $20 billion in economic stimulus money has poured into the nation’s universities, according to a new collection of data gathered by a trio of research consortia. “This is the largest investment in science and research probably since Sputnik,” said Bill Andresen, a vice president at the University of Pennsylvania in charge of Federal affairs and president of The Science Coalition.

California’s institutions were the big winners, snagging 1,602 grants worth almost $1.2 billion, but the money was spread across the country. Florida is ranked 21st, with 310 grants worth over $98.7 billion, or $5.39 per capita. Click here to view a table showing data on all 50 states. (11/17)

Courtesy FLORIDA SPACErePORT

FPC in Article from the Progress Energy Fall 2009 Issue of Circuit

The FPC is featured in the recent Progress Energy issue of Circuit, the economic development publication from Progress Energy. It cites such important contributions from photonics as direct employment of 5,700 workers and generation a $3.6 billion annual economic impact on Gross State Product and features thoughts from Bahaa Saleh, dean of the College of Optics and Photonics at the University of Central Florida (UCF), Rob Randelman, president of Ocean Optics and Alex Fong, FPC President and Senior Vice President of Life Sciences and Instrumentation, Gooch and Housego (Optronic Laboratories and ChromoDynamics).

Photonics is increasingly important and visible as a key element of Florida's economy. Check out the article in the Progress Energy Fall 2009 issue of Circuit on "Florida Photonics Cluster Enabling Growth of Jobs, Businesses" in which FPC President Alex Fong is quoted: http://www.progress-energy.com/community/relocating/Circuit_Fall_2009.pdf

Luncheon with VP of Facebook

Facebook: No longer just a teen’s obsession, it’s your business branding - in real time.

Mike Haines, Regional VP of Facebook, is the keynote speaker for the Wednesday, November 18, 2009 luncheon of the American Marketing Association—Central Florida Chapter.

Time: 11:30 am at the Marriott Orlando Downtown.
Go to www.amacentralflorida.org to register.
You do not need to be a member to attend.

With a highly engaged global audience in excess of 250MM active users, Facebook represents a shift in the way people are choosing to communicate with one another and the information they share. With that comes tremendous opportunity for companies of all sizes to connect with this audience and leverage Facebook’s platform as a marketing, PR, advertising, and CRM vehicle. Come learn how to harness the Facebook platform for yourself and see how others are using it successfully to accomplish their marketing objectives.
You will learn:

• How businesses, of all sizes, can establish a Facebook platform
• See examples of how direct marketers use social media and viral marketing to impact consumers and build brands
  

Cost: $20 for AMA members and students; $35 for nonmembers.

************************************

Esther Vargas-DavisSite Manager
UCF Incubator-Winter Springs
1511 E. S R 434, Suite 2001
Winter Springs, FL 32708Phone: (407)278-4880

World Usability Day (WUD) Project to Make 1,000 LED Spot/Bulbs Available for Free

How many light bulbs does it take to change the world? Just one, if you make it LED.

The World Usability Day (WUD) project will make 1,000 LED spot/bulbs available for free via their website http://www.worldusabilityday.org. “Assume the following math: 1,000 bulbs can replace all of the light bulbs in 20 medium-sized houses,” said Brian Sullivan, the usability principal at the Sabre Human Factors Center in San Francisco, CA, and co-chair of World Usability Day. “The LED bulbs are easily three times more efficient than standard bulbs. So that is the equivalent of lighting 100 houses,” said Brian Sullivan, co-chair of World Usability Day. By using 1 LED bulb rather than 3 filament bulbs you will save 268.24 kWh.
The WUD free light bulbs will be offered worldwide. The project is being made possible by Next Generation Lighting Supply (NGL Supply) and Seoul Semiconductor, Inc. (Seoul). NGL Supply will provide the bulbs with Edison bases (standard in most lamps, ceiling fans, and recessed lighting outlets) and fulfillment, and Seoul will supply the inner workings. WUD web site visitors will fill out a form with a DISCOUNT code. When the visitor clicks a button from the WUD site (after filling out a form), they are taken to the NGL site for fulfillment. Participants will pay for shipping and handling (which is very common for FREE items).

“We are thrilled to be able to offer free LED light bulbs,” said Elizabeth Rosenzweig, founder and president of WUD. “These products are just now reaching the market; they’re very cutting edge,” said Rosenzweig. “Thanks to NGL Supply and Seoul, we will change the world one light bulb at a time. It’s just that simple.”

“Seoul Semiconductor is proud to be part of this event and share our Acriche LED technology with those concerned about making a better world. Our basic tenets, starting with our CEO Mr. C.H. Lee, include being a good corporate citizen along with doing the right thing for the environment. The WUD event is a showcase for responsible products available today that will make a better future,” said Doug Hardman, Americas Strategic Marketing Director, Seoul Semiconductors.

“Working with WUD makes it possible for NGL Supply to make LED technology readily available to 1,000 people who wish to make the change to energy efficient environmentally friendly lighting solutions,” said Kennie Alton, principal, Next Generation Lighting Supply.
The Fifth Annual World Usability Day will be celebrated globally on November 12 with the theme “Designing for a Sustainable World.” Countries that announced WUD projects last week included Estonia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates bringing the total number of countries to 38 and the number of events to 112.

Source: http://www.worldusabilityday.org/

Courtesy AZoOptics.com

Participate in Florida Trend's Best Companies To Work For 2010 program!

Florida Trend magazine is commencing its search for Florida's best workplaces in its 2nd Annual Florida's Best Companies To Work For program. Participation in this program is free!* Companies with at least 15 full-time, regular employees are eligible to participate, and the list of winners will be published in our annual Florida's Best Companies To Work For issue in August 2010.
Join the companies who made the list in 2009 and received the following benefits:
Recognition as a "Florida's Best Companies To Work For" helped their recruiting and retention
Learning and sharing with other companies what it takes to be a Best Company To Work For
Promoting best employment practices in Florida
Promoting Florida as a great place for business
Can you afford not to be on the list?
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 29, 2010
For more information and to register, visit www.bestcompaniesfl.com
*There is no fee to companies who, along with their employees, can complete the corporate and employee surveys online. Companies requiring paper surveys will be charged a nominal non-refundable fee to cover the cost of printing, processing and shipping the paper surveys.

bioBUZZ: Burnham Research Briefing Presentation

Please join us for the following event:

Thursday, November 19th from 10:00 to 11:00 am the Burnham Institute for Medical Research presents internationally-renowned physician scientist Dr. Daniel Kelly in a FREE public presentation about how his research is exploring new ways to treat the unique form of heart disease that affects diabetics. Seating is limited; please RSVP to 407-745-2010 or rsvp@burnham.org. Please see the attached document for more details.
We look forward to seeing you!

Distinguished Entrepreneur Speaker Series FeaturingHarris Rosen, President & COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts

Keynote Speaker Harris Rosen - November 19th - Orlando

SAVE THE DATE! Holiday Party - December 2nd - Orlando



Distinguished Entrepreneur Speaker Series Featuring Harris Rosen, President & COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts


WHEN: Thursday, November 19th, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

WHERE: Rosen College of Hospitality Management
9907 Universal Blvd., Orlando 32819

Pre-Registration Rates: Members $20 Non-Members $35
(On-Site Registration: Members $25 Non-Members $40)

Click Here to Register

This speaker series showcases the stories of individuals who have overcome obstacles and tackled challenges in order to achieve significant entrepreneurial success and will significantly contribute to the education of the audience in the field of entrepreneurship. They have become a major entrepreneurial success in our local community while maintaining their essence as a real person of integrity. That is Harris Rosen. Mr. Rosen will share the story of his journey from a child raised in New York's lower eastside to becoming Florida's largest independent hotelier, with seven Orlando hotels totaling close to 6,300 rooms. Read more...


2009 Holiday Party


WHEN: Wednesday, December 2nd, 6 pm - 8:30 pm

WHERE: Sheraton Downtown Orlando
60 South Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando 32804

Pre-Registration Rates: Members $35 Non-Members $50
(On-Site Registration: Members & Non-Members $60)

Click Here to Register

Network with Orlando's greatest organizations... TiE Florida, ACG Orlando, TMA, FEI & CFMA at Central Florida's best Holiday Party of the season!Free Drink Tickets and Heavy Appetizers...


Through our collaboration with Microsoft, TiE offers you fast, easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and production licenses of server products; professional technical support from Microsoft; and connections to a global community of entrepreneurs who can help guide startups through the hurdles of growing their business. Contact us for more details...


TiE Florida Mentor Program


Our mentoring program, available ONLY to members, is one of TiE Florida's most successful and notable programs. Mentoring provides a structured framework in which experienced Charter Members are paired with Members to provide guidance and advice regarding your entrepreneurial/business challenges.Please click here for additional program details and an application. Please feel free to contact us at erincarpenter@tieflorida.com with any questions.


Special Thanks to our Annual Sponsors

For Questions Regarding TiE Florida Registration, Membership or Chapter Information Contact:
407.286.1921 http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102793846598&s=1&e=001PjK-Jcpb6knAHOhEmesozMOywh5UCQ3bWp6oGrrldIUBGqYWkxA3xN2EsDEGSg5clfSQFTnNosk-E-SxW5fMcVZfkiUxVnAzzJ8osrCIuyc9UMW0U2mSOA==
ErinCarpenter@TiEFlorida.com


All TiE Florida event registration fees are non-refundable and no refunds are offered for cancellations. * Please note "Members" refers to new and regular Members, Charter Members or Sponsors whose current yearly dues have been paid in full. All others will have to enroll/renew their membership before signing up for any event or workshop.

NOTE: The UCF Business Incubation Program has forwarded this information to you as a courtesy to one of our partner organizations.

FPC General Members Meeting - New Date!

FPC meeting, Tuesday, 12/1/09
Location: UCF Office of Research & Commercialization 12201 Research ParkwayOrlando, FL 32826
(407)823-3778

3:00pm -- FPC Board Meeting (5th floor small conference room)

Agenda – General Members Meeting
Chair: Alex Fong, President
4:00pm – Welcome – FPC General Members Meeting (2nd Floor Large Conference Room)
4:05pm -- FPC business, if any
4:20pm -- Seminar by Tom O'Neal on "Starting a new business"– how to use SBIR/STTR in small businesses, VC funding, UCF Incubator resources, etc., with Q&A
5:00pm -- Presentation by Lisa Rice on RAWI* -- program, survey results, etc. -- followed by discussion
5:45pm -- Reception & networking; hosted by UCF Office of Research & Commercialization
7:00pm -- Adjourn. Go to dinner at local restaurant if sufficient interest


*Regional Aerospace Workforce Initiative
This is a partnership between Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Brevard Workforce, Workforce Central Florida and the Center for Business Excellence that will bring together leaders from across the region in areas of economic development, workforce, education, technology transfer and industry. The RAWI is tasked with:
- reviewing the region’s existing and emerging assets;
- obtaining feedback from community leadership;
- participating in a SWOT analysis to help guide the overall development of a regional strategy with a shared identity and vision for the regional economy.

OSA hosts Congressional briefing on the needed switch to LED lighting

November 6, 2009–With energy efficient technology becoming a government priority, cities across the country are investing in greener lighting sources. The Optical Society (OSA; Washington, DC), in conjunction with the House of Representatives’ Research & Development (R&D) Caucus, is hosting a Congressional briefing next week to discuss how solid-state lighting, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), can significantly reduce the amount of energy used for residential, commercial, automotive, and street lighting (see also “OIDA/SPIE hope message “resonates” in Congress” and “OSA members to support research into renewable energy sources“).
Lighting uses 22% of the electricity and 8% of the total energy spent in the U.S., according to government reports. A panel of experts will discuss current and future LED technologies, why municipalities across the country are switching to them, cost savings associated with LEDs, and the role of government in LED-related research. The briefing is free and open to the public.
The Congressional Luncheon Briefing is entitled LEDs: Cities Investing in a Greener Future and will be held at B340 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 on Thursday, November 12, 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Speakers include Andrew Brix, Energy Programs Manager, City of Ann Arbor, Michigan; James Brodrick, Solid-State Lighting Program Manager, U.S. Dept. of Energy; and Matthew Sommers, LED Design Manager, GE Lumination. The presentations will be moderated by Alex Fong [Ed: Florida Photonics Cluster President], Senior Vice President, Life Sciences & Instrumentation at Gooch and Housego.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act makes investing in energy efficient technologies and reducing the cost of high-performance lighting products a priority. Continuing advances, with the support of federal funding for energy efficient technologies, can accelerate progress toward creating a U.S.-led market for high-efficiency light sources that save more energy, reduce costs and have less environmental impact than conventional light sources. LEDs use half the energy (or less) and last 10 to 12 years longer than conventional bulbs. Additionally, LEDs contain no mercury, unlike compact fluorescent light bulbs. Studies suggest that a complete conversion to the LEDs could decrease carbon dioxide emissions from electric power use for lighting by up to 50% in just more than 20 years.
For more information, contact Angela Stark at the OSA at astark@osa.org.
Courtesy Gail Overton, LaserFocusWorld

NIH Seeks Imaging Research Proposals

(Applications Due: April 11, 2011)
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting research proposals for its “Quick-Trials for Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions: Exploratory Grants” program. The program “is intended to support clinical trials conducting preliminary evaluation of the safety and efficacy of imaging agents, as well as an assessment of imaging systems, image processing, image-guided therapy, contrast kinetic modeling, and 3-D reconstruction and other quantitative tools.” Applications are due by April 11, 2011.
From “Quick-Trials for Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions: Exploratory Grants”Grants.gov (09/18/09)
Courtesy OSA

OSA Press Release: Photonics Included in List of Industries Targeted to Receive New Small Business Grants

OSA thanks Rep. Kosmas for efforts to add photonics industry to House bill

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30—The U.S. House of Representatives accepted an amendment yesterday by Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-Fla.) that would add photonics technology to the list of targeted industries eligible to receive federal grants under a new early-stage investment program.

The Kosmas amendment was accepted to H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act of 2009. The legislation aims at improving the Small Business Administration’s programs that provide entrepreneurs with access to capital.

H.R. 3854 also establishes the Small Business Early Stage Investment (SBESI) Program, which is a public/private partnership grant program to channel investment capital to emerging companies. Rep. Kosmas authored an amendment, which was adopted by voice vote to add the photonics technology industry to the list of targeted industries qualified to receive grants under this new early-stage investment program. Under the SBESI program, the Small Business Administration will provide matching grant funding to act as a co-investment in highly qualified investment companies that will focus on investing in small businesses, with particular emphasis on investing in early-stage small businesses in targeted capital-intensive industries. The bill will now be considered by the Senate before being sent to the President for signature.

“OSA is thrilled to see Congress recognize the importance of investing in small businesses that focus on photonics technologies,” said Elizabeth A. Rogan, CEO of the Optical Society (OSA). “OSA thanks Congresswoman Kosmas for her efforts to include photonics in this legislation. The state of Florida has a strong photonics industry and many companies there and across the country have the potential to benefit from the Congresswoman’s work.”

Photonics is a specialized field of physics and engineering, based on the science of light. From fiber optics and lasers used in telecommunications to medical imaging and detection to aid cancer research, optics and photonics are critical technologies that are prevalent in almost every aspect of day-to-day life.

About OSAUniting more than 106,000 professionals from 134 countries, the Optical Society OSA) brings together the global optics community through its programs and initiatives. Since 1916 OSA has worked to advance the common interests of the field, providing educational resources to the scientists, engineers and business leaders who work in the field by promoting the science of light and the advanced technologies made possible by optics and photonics. OSA publications, events, technical groups and programs foster optics knowledge and scientific collaboration among all those with an interest in optics and photonics. For more information, visit www.osa.org.

Contact:
Angela Stark
The Optical Society202.416.1443
astark@osa.org

Press Release: Gulf Fiberoptics Expands With New Photonics Division

Contact: Craig Vogeley
Gulf Fiberoptics, Inc.
+1 813.855.6618
www.gulffiberoptics.com
contact@gulffiberoptics.com

Gulf Fiberoptics Expands With New Photonics Division

Oldsmar, Florida—November 02, 2009—Gulf Fiberoptics announced its entry into the Photonics industry by launching a line of fiber optic products and accessories.

“We are very excited about our expansion into Photonics,” said Patrick Bennetts, President of Gulf Fiberoptics. “Our new line of specialty fiber optic patch cable assemblies and related application solutions for spectrometers and LED light sources is a perfect complement for our well-known medical and industrial fiber optic solutions,” added Bennetts.

The Photonics Division’s business development is headed up by industry veteran Cicely Rathmell. Having over ten years in the optics and spectroscopy markets, Rathmell seized this enormous growth opportunity. “My passion is applications,” says Ms. Rathmell. “It’s exciting to bring my experience in spectroscopy and life science instrumentation to a new group of products. Fiber is such an elegant way to transport light, and has the power to really become an enabling design element when applied in novel ways.” Christopher Bailey leads the engineering department, and rounds out the team with his broad experience in fiber optic technology and a strong manufacturing background. Rathmell and Bailey have worked together in the past and are in the process of developing a potent staff for the new Gulf Fiberoptics division.

The Photonics Division already has a full line of patch cables in inventory and is currently building its stock of bifurcated and reflection probe assemblies with additional product offerings planned in the next 6 months.

Gulf Fiberoptics is a leading manufacturer of fiber optic products for the medical, industrial, visual illumination, and photonics markets. For further information about Gulf Fiberoptics, please visit: gulffiberoptics.com, telephone: +1 813.855.6618, or email: contact@gulffiberoptics.com.

# # #

Pinellas Technology & Business Innovation Exchange

The Pinellas Technology & Business Innovation Exchange (PTBIE), hosted by Congressman C.W. Bill Young and presented by STAR TEC and Pinellas Area Federal Contractors Association (PAFCA), is a reverse trade show where subcontractors exhibit and defense industry contractors meet new suppliers. By matching United States Department of Defense contractors with local subcontractors, PTBIE strengthens the defense and advanced manufacturing sectors by increasing local sales and developing partner and vendor relationships. PTBIE was rated highly by participants and sponsors, who requested an expanded program for the coming year.
This year's event is scheduled for Friday, November 13th at the Tradewinds Island Grand Resort on St. Petersburg Beach. Interested companies can register by visiting http://www.pinellastechnology.com/.

NOTE: The UCF Business Incubation Program has forwarded this information to you as a courtesy to one of our partner organizations.

THROUGH THE PRISM: SOFTWARE FROM THREE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS

UCFTI Lunch & Learn sponsored by Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kanter & Reed

Date: Thursday, November 12th Time: 11:30-1:00

Fee: $20 (Free to Incubator Clients) Lunch will be provided

Location: University Tower 12201 Research Parkway, 2nd Floor, Orlando, FL., 32826

Please RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or via email rayala@mail.ucf.edu

This presentation will cover issues related to software licensing and development from three different viewpoints: (i) Software Licensors; (ii) Software Developers; and (iii) Software Licensees/Users. We intend to explore the most important issues that arise for each of these three groups when negotiating, reviewing and drafting software license and development contracts. In addition we will discuss, explain and provide examples of key language that should be included in all software license and development agreements. Our goal is to provide the audience with useful and practical knowledge that can be applied immediately in the course of operating a software licensing or development business, as well as in operating any other type of business that purchases or licenses software from developers.

Speakers and other representatives from Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kanter & Reed will be available to meet with luncheon registrants to take one on one appointments to better answer all their business questions. Let Renee know what time slot you would like and with whom. (1:30, 2:15 and 3:00)

Speakers: Other representatives available for
after luncheon meetings:

Thomas C. McThenia, Jr Joseph W. Zitzka, Jr
Practice Areas Practice Areas
Intellectual Property and Entertainment Matters Federal Tax
Licensing, Software and Technology International Tax
Internet and E-commerce Practice Florida Tax
Business and Corporate Transactions Estate Planning
Corporate and Securities
Teddy Shih
Practice Areas Angela M. Miller
Intellectual Property Practice Areas
Intellectual Property Litigation Intellectual Property
Copyrights Technology and Internet Law
Patents Sports and Entertainment Law
Software, Technology and Internet Law
Trademarks/Service Marks Jacqueline E. Hartt, Ph.D.
Trade Secrets Practice Area
Commercial Transactions Related Patent Prosecution
to Intellectual Property

Chad Duberke
Practice Areas
Intellectual Property
Corporate and Securities
Mergers and Acquisitions

Ground-Based Lasers Could Interfere With Orbiting Satellites

In October 2006, the military affairs journal Jane's Intelligence Weekly reported that U.S. Army officials detected a "sudden decline" in the effectiveness of some its spy satellites throughout the fall as they passed over China. Before receiving an explanation from the Chinese military, initial fears were that the country had intentionally aimed ground-based lasers at the U.S. satellites to temporally disrupt their ability to collect information, or worse, materially damage them. Was this a hostile attempt by the Chinese to test its laser anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, obstructing U.S. military reconnaissance missions in Low Earth Orbit?Probably not, said a pair of military affairs experts at a recent AAAS co-sponsored briefing. More likely, they said, the Chinese may have been trying to glean details of the satellites orbital path or, perhaps, conducting a test to see if we could detect their laser against our spy satellites. But the case does raise questions about protecting satellites in orbit. In 2000, DOD established the Laser Clearinghouse Program, which was designed to protect satellites against accidental lasing which could damage or disrupt satellites. Based at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the program requires all U.S. government organizations, including the U.S. military, to register their lasers which might damage satellites. A similar program could be considered for implementation world-wide to safely manage all peaceful laser firings into space. (10/15)

(Source: Space Daily)

Courtesy FLORIDA SPACErePORT

Florida Ranks 12th for Federal Funding to Universities/Colleges

Florida's share of federal R&D obligations for universities and colleges rose to $609 million in 2007, placing the state at #12 nationwide. The funding level represents a 12.5% increase since 2003, but that increase was just under the U.S. 5-year rate of inflation, which was 12.7% for that period. Based on its rate of growth for such R&D funding, Florida was ranked at #25 nationwide. New Mexico had the largest percent increase over the five-year period, rising 45.7 percent to $182 million in 2007. (10/16)

(Source: SSTI)

Courtesy SPACErePORT

Florida Delegation in Bipartisan Pursuit of at Least $3 Billion for Spaceflight

Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas and Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL-15), along with Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), led members of the Florida Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to President Obama calling on him to shift at least $3 billion in unspent Recovery Act funds to NASA’s human spaceflight program. Kosmas, Posey and Nelson were joined on the letter by Florida Representatives Tom Rooney (R-FL-16), Kendrick Meek (D-FL-17), Corrine Brown (D-FL-3), Alcee Hastings (D-FL-23), Ron Klein (D-FL-22), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-20), Adam Putnam (R-FL-12), John Mica (R-FL-7), Kathy Castor (D-FL-11), Alan Grayson (D-FL-8), Robert Wexler (D-FL-19) and Ander Crenshaw (R-FL-4) and Senator George LeMieux (R-FL). The Texas Congressional Delegation also sent a similar letter to the President earlier this month. (10/16)

(Source: Rep. Kosmas)

Courtesy SPACErePORT

Advisory Board Council Reception...Save the Date

SBDC Advisory Board Council 315 East Robinson Street Suite 100 Orlando FL 32801

NOTE: The UCF Business Incubation Program has forwarded this information to you as a courtesy to one of our partner organizations. If you wish to register, please call the SBDC at 407-420-4850.

The B.I.G.Summit

The B.I.G.* Summit (*Business Innovation & Growth) is breaking all the rules. What comes to mind when you think of today's creative workforce? Blue jeans, tee shirts, flip flops and tats? Facebook, Twitter, Texting and You Tube? It's a whole new world out there and change is the name of the game.

Entrepreneurs and Emerging Businesses are defining our future. Passion, flexibility and focus are what's driving business today. What drives you?
Business decisions are no longer based on A little dab'l do ya or Where's the beef? You're in good hands, or because you're part of the Pepsi Generation. Gen Xers know that If it fits, it ships! Think outside the bun, Same day delivery and No interest for 24 months will seal the deal.
At The B.I.G. Summit*, you'll have the opportunity to better understand expectations, buying decisions, and quirks about how messages are communicated. You'll hear from entrepreneurial practitioners about driving products to market. You'll discover economic gardening tools that can work for you. A fast-paced roundtable of experts will discuss the myths and realities of money for growth, and how to take your business to the next level.

Host Sponsors, Tony Jenkins, Market President for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, and Gary J. Earl, President/CEO of Workforce Central Florida, represent two industries that are at the center of the economic challenges facing business owners and workers today. "We believe that we must look at our business sector through a new prism. The creativity and innovation that Entrepreneurs and Emerging Businesses bring to our economy throughout the Central Florida Region can be utilized to energize more traditional business models bringing the business sector out of the recession with vitality and the hope of future possibilities."

Reserve your space today! The B.I.G. Summit* is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 2009, at the new Hilton Orlando, 6001 Destination Parkway, Orlando, FL 32819. To learn more, visit www.orlando.org/big.

NOTE: The UCF Business Incubation Program has forwarded thisinformation to you as a courtesy to one of our partner organizations. If interested, please register through the 2nd link below.

If unable to view Summit information, please click link:http://www.orlando.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=BIG&category=BIG

Click here to register:https://www.orlando.org/index.php?src=forms&ref=2009+BIG+Summit+Registration&id=2009+BIG+Summit+Registration If you have any problems registering call Pam Clancy at 407.835.2486 toregister.

Please help: Survey for Regional Aerospace Workforce Initiative

The FPC is assisting the Regional Aerospace Workforce Initiative (RAWI), which is a partnership between Florida High Tech Corridor Council, Brevard Workforce, Workforce Central Florida and the Center for Business Excellence that will bring together leaders from across the region in areas of economic development, workforce, education, technology transfer and industry. The RAWI results will also assist the FPC in its work with UCF Continuing Education to provide photonics technician training to displaced workers over the coming year.
The intended outcome of the RAWI effort is to develop a regional strategy that will indicate current and future economic events that will positively effect the transition of the aerospace workforce capacity throughout the region. Through regional alignment of workforce, education and economic development the region will better understand organizational, process and program gaps in their respective systems to help build a more comprehensive regional approach that will diminish impacts to the aerospace workforce capacity.
The RAWI is tasked with: reviewing the region’s existing and emerging assets; obtaining feedback from community leadership; and participating in a SWOT analysis to help guide the overall development of a regional strategy with a shared identity and vision for the regional economy. The link included here leads to a survey that will provide benchmark data and feedback to help identify successful processes and gaps that exist in the current system. Results of this and earlier versions of this survey will be presented in aggregate at the FPC meeting on Dec 2. We ask your cooperation in completing this survey by Friday, 30 October. If someone else in your company is more appropriate to complete the survey, please forward this email to them.

Here is the link for the RAWI Survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=u71MgnN_2forkmxgm5REGsaQ_3d_3d

Thank you in advance for your time in addressing these questions of importance to Florida.

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

FPC General Members Meeting - 2 Dec 2009

The next General Members meeting of the Florida Photonics Cluster will be Wednesday, 2 December. The meeting will be hosted by the UCF Office of Research & Commercialization and held in their office building in the Research Park next to the UCF campus. Further information will be sent as we get closer to the meeting, but please mark your calendars and plan to attend. The meeting is open to all those interested in the FPC, and also to those who would like to attend the two presentations (non-members of FPC, send email to jpearson@creol.ucf.edu to indicate interest).

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director
**********************************
Preliminary agenda for FPC meeting, Wednesday, 12/2/09

3:00pm -- FPC Board Meeting
4:00pm -- start of FPC meeting
4:05pm -- FPC business, if any
4:20pm -- Seminar by Tom O'Neal on "Starting a new business"– how to use SBIR/STTR in small businesses, VC funding, UCF Incubator resources, etc., with Q&A
5:00pm -- Presentation by Lisa Rice on RAWI (Regional Aerospace Workforce Initiative) -- program, survey results, etc. -- followed by discussion
5:45pm -- reception & networking
7:00pm -- adjourn. Go to dinner at local restaurant if sufficient interest

Reminder -- FPC membership renewal coming soon!

Just a note to remind you that all FPC memberships will expire on 12/31/09 and so need to be renewed on or before January 1, 2010. Stef DelGiudice will send out a renewal notice and "invoice" to you near the end of this month, along with a link to the membership form so you can update your company's contact information. We are revising the FPC website and the online credit card payment option. The renewal notices will go out shortly after the new website is up, although you can use the current site and membership form to renew if you wish to do so.

Also a request to everyone. As you plan for renewing your company's membership, please encourage your colleagues in other Florida optics and photonics companies (suppliers and customers) that are not FPC members to join us. Although I communicate with a list of Florida companies periodically about joining the FPC, nothing is more effective in building membership than a recommendation from someone else in the industry.

Thank you for your 2009 FPC membership and your support of our association!

Best regards,

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

2009 Fall National SBIR Conference

Event: 2009 Fall National SBIR Conference

Dates: November 2-5, 2009

Location: John Ascuaga's Nugget, Sparks (Reno), NV

Conference Website: http://www.unr.edu/sbir-sttr2009/

About the National Conference - in Nevada for the first time!

While these are challenging times for the global economy, the energy industry is thriving as federal agencies and investors seek out technologies and opportunities with promising futures.In the coming decades, the five pillars of clean energy - solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass technologies - are intended to form the cornerstone of many U.S. economies.
Highlighting renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, the 2009 National SBIR/STTR Conference will bring together federal agencies - U.S. Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Transportation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Agriculture - as well as venture capital and angel investors, large companies, small businesses, lenders, researchers, university and federal laboratory representatives and other experts who provide assistance to or are interested in doing business with early-stage and advanced-stage ventures.
The conference is designed specifically for:

Entrepreneurs engaged in innovative research
Small businesses and other innovative companies looking for start-up support
Venture capital and angel investors
IP, securities and corporate counsel
Research scientists from public and private labs
Audit, accounting and tax professionals
Commercial lenders
Public and private analytical laboratory managers
Corporate CEOs/COOs/CFOs
Prime contractor procurement representatives
Economic development, workforce development and private business services providers focused on business development
University technology transfer, grant and contracts administrators
Elected and appointed public officials interested in learning how they can participate in the growth of technology
State SBIR program representatives

Conference benefits:

Attend sessions that provide a comprehensive overview on how to apply for and win government SBIR/STTR funding grants.
Listen to high-level guest speakers, government officials and top industry leaders.
Learn how to market high-risk ventures to companies looking to outsource their innovative needs.

Meet with high-tech companies and research facilities on exhibition.
Hear about the successes of companies that have commercialized their products through SBIR/STTR.
Network with individuals from all phases of the process: research, development and commercialization.

Conference Registration and Fees

Registration for the conference and all optional pre-conference and post-conference workshops is available through Oct. 26, 2009. Walk-in registration is available after Oct. 26, 2009. For more information, http://www.unr.edu/sbir-sttr2009/ or call Extended Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, (775) 784-4062 or 1-800-233-8928.

Conference registration: $495, after Sept. 25 and through Oct. 26, 2009
Walk-in registration: $550, after Oct. 26, 2009

Conference fee includes conference breakout sessions and meetings, continental breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks each day.

Exhibitor registration: $1,500 ($1,250 for nonprofit agencies), includes exhibitor booth and two conference registrations. Additional booth members must register as conference participants.

Location and Accommodations

The 2009 National SBIR/STTR Conference will be held at John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, east of the University of Nevada, Reno campus and 15 minutes from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport. The Nugget resort provides free airport shuttle service. A block of rooms is available for a reduced rate to conference participants. Call John Ascuaga's Nugget at 1-800-648-1177 or visit the http://www.janugget.com/ website and enter the conference reservation code mentioned below.

Conference room rate:West Tower rooms$99/night + 13.5 percent room tax and $5 resort fee/nightUpon registration your credit card will be charged $112.37 for your first night's stay.Registration code: GSBI9

Conference room rate (governmental agencies):West Tower rooms$99/night + 13.5 percent room tax and $5 resort fee/nightRegistration code: GSBI9-G

Book by Oct. 12, 2009, to guarantee room rate availability.

Congratulations to Randy Berridge and the FHTCC

Although the awards noted below are for much more than just photonics, I thought you would like to see the news about the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) award from the IEDC and also the award to Randy Berridge, president of the FHTCC, for your publication and news. Randy Berridge has led the FHTCC almost since its founding, and MJ Soileau, Founding Director of CREOL and now UCF's VP for Research, was a prime mover in establishment of the corridor. Randy and the FHTCC have been strong and effective supporters of the Florida photonics community -- education, research, and industry -- for many years. I think the FHTCC is an excellent model for any region/state that wants to build the high-tech economic and educational infrastructure of their regions. You can see more on the FHTCC website: http://www.floridahightech.com/

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

*********************************

Dear Core Team members,

It has been a very busy and proud week for the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. Last Friday the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce conferred its Lifetime Achievement Award on Randy Berridge, and since he would no doubt fail to share the nice things that have been said about him, we have attached not only a copy of the Chamber’s news release but also you may want to take a quick look at Roger Pynn’s blog post (http://thestrategicfirm.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/well-deserved-attention/) because there is a link embedded to the video tribute to Randy that was produced for the luncheon. Dr. Hitt – himself a past recipient of the award – represented all of us on the Corridor team in both teasing and honoring Randy.

And tonight in Reno, NV, Randy will accept on the Corridor Council’s behalf the first-ever award from the International Economic Development Council in a category of its awards program designed to single out economic development partnerships with educational institutions. Calling the FHTCC “an exceptional educational institution partnership,” IEDC Chair Ian Bromley said the FHTCC was “a clear standout” for the award.
Congratulations to everyone on the FHTCC team. As Randy would say, “it is all about you.”

Best regards,

Kerry Martin

Kerry Martin Communications SpecialistCurley & Pynn TheStrategicFirm.com Taking Aim - blog

Photonics mentioned in Florida Trend magazine, October 2009

The current issue of Florida Trend has several interesting articles, including the cover story on the "Medical City" being developed at Lake Nona in Orlando that includes the UCF College of Medicine and Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences along with the Burnham Institute and several other operations: http://www.floridatrend.com/monthly_edition.asp?iID=46&what_issue=October

But the article that really caught my eye is the one on Orlando & Orange County -- http://www.floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=51780 -- where in the opening paragraph it says (emphasis added):
"Even as tourism continues to define Orlando’s public face, the non-tourism economy — spurred on by bioscience, simulation and other high-tech sectors like photonics — should emerge from the mouse’s shadow to become the dominant economic force."

Another example for me that with the help of our many partners around the state, and in particular the FPC, UCF/CREOL, and the FHTCC and other EDCs, photonics is being recognized as the high-tech force and economic driver that the industry clearly is.

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

TechAmerica Invitation: 21st Century Sales Strategy Seminar

TechAmerica Invitation: 21st Century Sales Strategy Seminar with Live Cold Calling Demonstration - Free to Attend - October 23rd, 2009 - Orlando, FL

TechAmerica, in partnership with FRONTLINE Selling, cordially invites you to attend a high impact and interactive discussion centered on a Comprehensive and Repeatable Demand Creation Approach designed to help global organizations identify net-new sales opportunities in a consistent and measurable way.

The Forum introduces Sales and Marketing executives to a 21st Century top-of-the-funnel sales strategy designed to engage higher and sell larger deals. Highlights include the famous FRONTLINE Selling "Live Calling" component that demonstrates how to apply these contrarian techniques in a real-life real-time live setting.

You will walk away with strategies around:

Access - Time and attention of targeted key players
Execution - Engaging decision makers in a more strategic way
Visibility - Repeatable and Measurable Demand Creation Process
Result - Net-new Opportunity Identification


Registration details and Forum logistics are provided below. Let me know if you have any questions or need additional info. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!

Forum Details:
Time:
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 - 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Location:
Disney Entrepreneur Center
315 E. Robinson Street, Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32801
Directions


To Register:
1) Online, click here.
2) By phone, call Jennifer Gabriel @ 407.513.4703
*There is no charge to attend this event.

For more information, go to http://www.techamerica.org/frontlineforum


FRONTLINE Selling helps companies such as VMware, SAP, BEA and Research in Motion become more effective at creating demand by filling the gap between marketing suspects and identification of new sales opportunities. Our Comprehensive and Repeatable Demand Creation Process consists of a strategic Vision-LockTM Selling approach providing structure, metrics and a common language around your demand creation activities. To support Vision-Lock, we have developed and utilize our own tactical methodology (RAMP-UP) for execution. The result is a repeatable and measurable sales process transforming your sales people into highly leveraged communicators of your value offering.
www.frontlineselling.com

UCF Business Incubation Program celebrates 10th anniversary

The UCF's award-winning Business Incubation Program is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The October 2009 issue of Florida Trend has a nice article on the program and its founder and executive director, Dr. Tom O'Neal, Associate Vice-President for Research and Commercialization at UCF. You can see the full article at http://www.floridatrend.com/region_article.asp?rName=Central&rID=C&aID=51795. The UCF Technology Incubator is a unit of the Business Incubation Program and a member of our Florida Photonics Cluster. The UCF Photonics Incubator, housed in the CREOL building, is also a member.

Tom also recently received the “Regional Outstanding Resource Partner Award” from the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at its annual meeting. The award was in recognition of the unique partnership between Dr. O’Neal of the UCF Business Incubation Program and Eunice Choi, Director of the UCF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the new UCF/Leesburg Business Incubator site.

Many congratulations to Dr. Tom O'Neal, and to his fine team, on the 10th anniversary of the Business Incubation Program and their success in building partnerships and providing the resources needed by startup companies through the program.

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

Legal & Financial Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions

Legal & Financial Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions

Thursday, October 22nd

Time: 3:00-4:30

Location: 12565 Research Parkway, Suite 360, UCF HR Training Room 123, Orlando, FL., 32826

Fee: $20 (Free to Incubator Clients)

Please RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or via email rayala@mail.ucf.edu

Legal & Financial Issues in Mergers and Acquisitions

A merger or acquisition involves complex and unique legal, tax and financial accounting considerations. Many of these considerations should be carefully thought out before beginning negotiations for any acquisition; many others will arise as a company goes through the acquisition process. Whether on the buy-side or the sell-side, it is critical that a company has an understanding of the acquisition process and the issues that can arise, as this understanding can help a company avoid mistakes and unintended consequences that affect whether a transaction closes or that have ramifications long after the transaction closes.

There will be legal matters to be addressed related to structuring the transaction and the transaction documents, establishing the terms of the transaction, negotiating arrangements ancillary to the transaction such as employment, licensing and other ongoing relationships, conducting the due diligence, and negotiating post closing obligations such as indemnification, confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation obligations. There are also important decisions to be made when determining how to structure a merger, acquisition or sale of a company for tax purposes to ensure future tax consequences are the most beneficial to the Company. For financial accounting purposes, determining the fair value of the assets and liabilities of a business acquired including how and when to use a valuation specialist is critical, as well as understanding how to allocate the purchase price to intangible assets acquired and determining the useful lives of those intangibles.

All of these areas and more will be discussed at the presentation on October 22nd.

Speaker Bios

Michael Heald is an audit senior manager for Cross, Fernandez & Riley,LLP. He works with small public companies and private companies from various industries including manufacturers, distributors, software developers and internet serviceproviders. He has been involved with numerous mergers and acquisitions and understands the unique accounting and financial considerations related to such transactions.

Jeff Decker is a partner at the national law firm of Baker Hostetler and the chair of the firm's Business Group in the Orlando office. Jeff's practice focuses primarily on merger and acquisition, joint venture, strategic alliance and divestiture transactions, securities offering, Securities Exchange Act reporting and other corporate finance matters, proxy solicitations, corporate governance, corporate recapitalizations, restructurings and reorganizations and general transactional and legal matters for a wide variety of public and private companies.

OSA: Join the Galileoscope Challenge & Inspire Students Around the World

SHARE THE WONDER

Dear FPC Member,

For as little as $26, you can help enrich the science studies of a student in need!
In support of the International Year of Astronomy the OSA Foundation has launched the Galileoscope Challenge to raise funds to purchase and distribute thousands of high-powered telescope kits to students around the world. Special priority will be given to students from developing nations and underrepresented communities.

I hope you will make a contribution to the Galileoscope Challenge today!
About the Galileoscope...The GalileoscopeTM is a high-quality, low-cost telescope kit developed by a team of leading astronomers, optical engineers, and science educators. No matter where you live, with this easy-to-assemble, 50-mm (2-inch) diameter, 25- to 50-power achromatic refractor, you can see the celestial wonders that Galileo Galilei first glimpsed 400 years ago and that still delight stargazers today. These include lunar craters and mountains, four moons circling Jupiter, the phases of Venus, Saturn's rings, and countless stars invisible to the unaided eye.

Constructing and using a Galileoscope is a terrific learning experience for students of all ages, and the Galileoscope Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for our community to encourage the next generation of innovators!

Donations can be made online or if you prefer to receive a donation form in the mail, please contact Meredith Smith, OSA Foundation Director.

Thank you for your consideration and support, I will keep you updated on our progress.

Sincerely,

G. Michael MorrisChair, OSA Foundation

The OSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization registered in the state of Florida (Re. # CH: 29018). A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES (800-435- 7352). REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION. All donors receive special recognition and acknowledgements, unless they request to be anonymous. All donations to the OSA Foundation are matched dollar-for-dollar by The Optical Society.

UCF Seeking Volunteer Judges for DECA competition

We are pleased to announce that the UCF Chapter of College DECA will be hosting its Inaugural Career Development Conference, Friday, October 16, 2009 in the UCF Student Union, Key West, Room 218. We are writing to invite you to volunteer to judge a competitive event.

College DECA is the local chapter of Delta Epsilon Chi, the college division of DECA, a high school marketing student organization. Students compete at the state and international levels in business job functions. The UCF Career Development Conference will recruit, select and prepare the UCF students for the State and International Career Development Conferences. We are seeking judges on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 9 AM-3 PM. Students will be competing in the following competitive events: Advertising Campaign, Business Law, Business-to-Business Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Financial Services Marketing/Management, Financial Statement Analysis, Hospitality Marketing/Management, Marketing/Management, Restaurant & Food Service, Retail Marketing/Management, Sales Representative and Sports & Entertainment Marketing.

Please contact me at dferraro @ bus.ucf.edu or (407) 823-2328 to volunteer to judge or if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Dennis Ferraro Jessica Sofranec
UCF Chapter Advisor, College DECA UCF Chapter President, College DECA

Venture Lab SBIR Workshop

FPC Members Free to Exhibit at ICALEO 2009 in Orlando!

The LIA would like to offer all FPC members a chance to attend and display at ICALEO this year since it is here in Orlando. We are offering any first timers to ICALEO who are FPC members a free tabletop with the purchase of two conference registrations. This is for first timers only – company’s that have exhibited at ICALEO previously are not eligible for this special offer: A $2950 value. A great opportunity to display their products and services, attend the sessions and network with the laser industry’s best right in their backyard.

The Laser Institute of America would like to invite you to the 28th annual International Congress on Applications of Laser & Electro-Optics (ICALEO®) from November 2 – 5, 2009 in Orlando, FL. In cooperation with the Florida Photonics Cluster, LIA is providing a special offer for all FPC members to participate at this year’s event as a first time exhibitor. Upon purchase of two (2) full conference registrations, your company can receive a tabletop at our Vendor Reception on Tuesday night for FREE ($2950 value).

Come speak directly with a highly concentrated number of laser decision makers from around the world. Our Vendor Reception is on Tuesday, November 3, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, and is the only scheduled event during this time slot.

Full conference registrations are currently $925 ($825 LIA Member) per person and include admission to all technical sessions, the Plenary Sessions, Laser Solutions Short Courses, Receptions (Welcome Celebration, President’s Reception and Vendor Reception), Awards Luncheon and a technical digest. If interested in registering and receiving your free tabletop, please contact Kim Truelove or Dave Evans at 407.380.1553.

For more info on ICALEO’s Vendor Reception, please click here, or visit the ICALEO website at www.icaleo.org.


ICALEO has a 27 year history as the conference where researchers and end-users meet to review the state-of-the art in laser materials processing and predict where the future will lead. From its inception, ICALEO has been devoted to the field of laser materials processing and is viewed as the premier source of technical information in the field.

Government Contractor Workshop - Engineering Your Company's Success

TOPICS INCLUDE:
SPECIALIZED SKILLS:

> SUPPORT THE PROCESS OF RATE APPROVAL

> DOCUMENTATION AND POLICY & PROCEDURES

> SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATIONS

> SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTING PLANS

> PROPOSALS AND PRICING

> CONTRACT PRICING AUDITS & NEGOTIATIONS> PROJECT FINANCE & MANAGEMENT

> AVOID DISALLOWANCE PROBLEMS> ADVISE ON TIMEKEEPING COMPLIANCE ISSUES

> SET UP POOL STRUCTURES

GOVERNMENT CONTRACT FINANCING:

> CONTRACT ASSIGNMENT

> SHORT-TERM CREDIT NEEDS

> UNDERWRITING CRITERIA

SOFTWARE CAPABILITIES:

> DELTEK GCS

> DELTEK TIME & EXPENSE

> QUICKBOOKS

> MS OFFICE

October 14, 20098:00 am - 12:00 pm at Berman HopkinsWright & LaHam, CPAs8035 Spyglass Hill Road Melbourne, FL 32940

Registration:$25 $35by Oct. 7th by Oct. 13th

October 21, 200912:00 pm - 4:00 pm at Berman HopkinsWright & LaHam, CPAs

480 N. Orlando Ave, Ste. 218

Winter Park, FL 32789

Registration:$25 $35

by Oct. 14th by Oct. 20th

CHOOSE YOUR DATE and LOCATION: SPACE IS LIMITED!

Lunch will be provided in Orlando.

American Continental Breakfast will be served in Melbourne.

RSVP to Pam Greene: greene@bermanhopkins.comVISA OR MASTERCARD ACCEPTED ORMAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO "BHWL" AND MAIL TO: Berman Hopkins Wright & LaHam8035 Spyglass Hill RoadMelbourne, FL 32940

Guerrilla Market Research-How listening to and understanding your customer can be the key to success

Guerrilla Market Research
How listening to and understanding your customer can be the key to success.

UCFTI Lunch & Learn sponsored by MRC Corporation

Thursday, October 8th Time: 11:30-1:00

Fee: $20 (Free to Incubator Clients) Lunch will be provided

Location: University Tower 12201 Research Parkway, 2nd Floor, Orlando, FL., 32826

Please RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or via email rayala@mail.ucf.edu

Few aspects of starting a business are more obvious yet more overlooked than listening to the customer. Even though it is an obvious thing to do, the marketplace is littered with examples of businesses and products, large and small, that failed because they didn't ask for, understand and heed the voice of the customer. Most claim after the fact that they either thought they already knew what the customer wanted or they simply ran out of money and couldn't afford it.
The goal of any company is to market and sell a product or service that is wildly popular and that everyone wants. But how do you know what the needs of a customer are and design your product or service to meet that need? The answer to this question is the insight that comes from effective market research.

In this presentation MRC will discuss:

- The Value and Benefits of Market Research
- Myths About Market Research
- Why Small Businesses Avoid It
- Market Research Techniques
- How to Get Started
- Focusing on the Unmet Needs of Consumers
- Why Market Research Does Not Have to be Costly

MRC team members will reveal the secrets of "guerrilla market research" - on-traditional approaches to listening to customers and low cost methods of conducting traditional ones. If it's important to you to launch a business or product successfully, this session is a must.

SPEAKERS

J. Christopher Samulowitz
Strategic Planning, Business Development & Human Capital

Chris is the Founder and President of MRC Corporation and Managing Partner of Tranquility Capital Partners, LLC. His skills and experience have benefited companies ranging from small, privately held firms to America's largest corporations. His diverse client base includes companies in the pharmaceutical, medical device, information systems, advertising, apparel brands, telecommunications, research and development, construction and manufacturing. Chris' role as a strategic advisor is focused on organizational assessment, development and talent acquisition.

James C. Siegel
Strategic Marketing & Market Research

Prior to joining MRC Corporation, Jim spent 17 years as a corporate senior manager in charge of worldwide consumer insight strategy prior to forming his own consulting practice focused on market research and business plan development. He has been responsible for market research focusing on consumer attitudes, behaviors and needs, including e-commerce, consumer attitudinal segmentation, brand portfolio management, cohort studies and demographic/social trends. Jim has chaired an international benchmarking council of world class, non-competing, customer-centric companies which included IBM, Xerox, Disney, Microsoft, Harley-Davidson, Ingram Micro, Milliken, and CIBC.

TechAmerica invitation: Thought Leadership Forum on Demand Creation Strategies, Friday, October 23rd, 2009 - Free to Attend

TechAmerica, in partnership with FRONTLINE Selling, cordially invites you to attend a high impact and interactive discussion centered on a Comprehensive and Repeatable Demand Creation Approach designed to help global organizations identify net-new sales opportunities in a consistent and measurable way.

The Forum introduces Sales and Marketing executives to a 21st Century top-of-the-funnel sales strategy designed to engage higher and sell larger deals. Highlights include the famous FRONTLINE Selling "Live Calling" component that demonstrates how to apply these contrarian techniques in a real-life real-time live setting.

You will walk away with strategies around:

Access - Time and attention of targeted key players
Execution - Engaging decision makers in a more strategic way
Visibility - Repeatable and Measurable Demand Creation Process
Result - Net-new Opportunity Identification


Registration details and Forum logistics are provided below. Let me know if you have any questions or need additional info. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there!

Forum Details:
Time:
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 - 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Location:
Disney Entrepreneur Center
315 E. Robinson Street, Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32801
Directions


To Register:
1) Online, click here.
2) By phone, call Jennifer Gabriel @ 407.513.4703
*There is no charge to attend this event.

For more information, go to http://www.techamerica.org/frontlineforum


FRONTLINE Selling helps companies such as VMware, SAP, BEA and Research in Motion become more effective at creating demand by filling the gap between marketing suspects and identification of new sales opportunities. Our Comprehensive and Repeatable Demand Creation Process consists of a strategic Vision-LockTM Selling approach providing structure, metrics and a common language around your demand creation activities. To support Vision-Lock, we have developed and utilize our own tactical methodology (RAMP-UP) for execution. The result is a repeatable and measurable sales process transforming your sales people into highly leveraged communicators of your value offering.
www.frontlineselling.com