Friday, October 30, 2009

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

Saturday, October 24, 2009

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

Monday, October 12, 2009

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

Saturday, October 10, 2009

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.

Monday, October 5, 2009

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.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

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

Saturday, October 3, 2009

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