Florida Photonics Cluster

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

2009-11-07T11:00:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-07T10:57:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-07T10:52:00.006-05:00

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!

2009-11-06T15:11:00.002-05:00

To: FPC Members

The General Members Meeting will now be held on Tuesday, 1 December. Here is the proposed agenda:

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.

If you and/or others from your company can attend, please RSVP to Jim Pearson, FPC Executive Director indicating your attendance and also whether you will attend the no-host dinner after the meeting.

Please notify others in your company who may want to attend this meeting, and also to your colleagues in other companies encouraging them to attend so they can experience some of the benefits and value of FPC membership. The meeting is open to representatives of all interested organizations.

Thanks for your participation in the FPC this year. I look forward to seeing you next month, and to working with you on FPC activities in 2010.

Jim Pearson
FPC Executive Director

OSA hosts Congressional briefing on the needed switch to LED lighting

2009-11-06T15:10:00.003-05:00

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

2009-11-06T15:10:00.001-05:00

(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

2009-11-04T13:42:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-02T23:15:00.000-05:00

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

2009-11-01T11:34:00.001-05:00

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

2009-10-30T00:33:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-24T11:21:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-24T11:20:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-24T11:17:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-24T10:32:00.003-04:00

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

2009-10-24T10:28:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-24T10:26:00.000-04:00

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

2009-10-12T10:00:00.002-04:00

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!

2009-10-10T09:06:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-10T09:03:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-10T09:02:00.000-04:00

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

2009-10-10T09:01:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-10T08:59:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-10T08:58:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-10T08:53:00.001-04:00

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

2009-10-05T14:10:00.001-04:00

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.