Wednesday, March 31, 2010

SEIA Action Alert: Contact Your Senators Now to Help Extend the Treasury Grant Program

Contact Your Senators Now to Help Extend the Treasury Grant Program

As Congress continues to craft jobs legislation, solar energy has the potential to create thousands of new jobs across the United States.

One of the most critical programs for the solar industry is the Treasury Department Program that provides cash in lieu of tax credits for commercial solar projects. Senator Feinstein has circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter supporting the extending of the Treasury Grant Program for another 2 years. This has the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs in solar manufacturing, construction, and installation in all 50 states.

Please contact your Senators and urge them to sign on to Senator Feinstein's "Dear Colleague" letter.
http://seia.org/galleries/pdf/Treasury%20Grants%20Program%20Letter%20030410.pdf

In the message to the Senate, we are including an opportunity for you to insert your company, where you work, and your personal solar story. Please make sure to fill in this information.

With your help, we can create thousands of new solar jobs while developing clean, renewable energy resources here at home.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

April 14th_2nd Annual Symposium - UCF - Progress Energy Sr. Design in Renewable & Sustainable Energy

UCF College of Engineering & Computer Science
2nd Annual - Progress Energy Senior Design Symposium in Renewable & Sustainable Energy (2010 Symposium)

Wednesday, April 14th - 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, UCF Student Union

You are cordially invited to join UCF College of Engineering & Computer Science undergraduate students showcasing their innovation, research and talent at the 2nd Annual Progress Energy Senior Design Symposium in Renewable & Sustainable Energy (2010 Symposium) during National Environmental Education Week and preceding Earth Week. Vincent Dolan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Progress Energy Florida, will provide the Symposium's keynote address.

Pre-registration is not required and complimentary registration is provided. For 2009 Inaugural Symposium highlights, please refer to: http://www.cecs.ucf.edu/corporate/seniordesign09/. A partial list of the 2nd Annual 2010 Symposium presentations and demonstrations includes:

· On the Green – Bolt on Hybrid Conversion Kit

· Green Diesel Hybrid – Diesel Conversion

· Organic Rankine Cycle for third world power generation

· Solar Thermal Energy Storage System

· Solar Powered Stirling Buoy

· Solar Parabolic Trough

· Bike Buddy – Human powered bicycle accessories interface

· Power Allocation Phase 3: Lift Stations, Water Treatment and Reclaim Water Facilities

· Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

· Wind Turbine: Train Tunnel Application

· Solar Powered Car Cooler

· Water Tunnel for Turbine Blade Testing

· Solar Water Distiller – Desalination of water for third world countries

· calBox 360 – Human Powered video game console interface

· Wireless Solar Panel Monitoring

· Hydrogen Fuel Cell UAV

· ASHRAE Build & Design Competition – Florida Hospital

Engineering Talent for The Next Wave in Renewable & Sustainable Energy: The UCF Commitment
In keeping with the university mission and commitments, the UCF – Progress Energy Senior Design Symposium is focused on developing socially conscious engineering projects in Renewable & Sustainable Energy. UCF President John Hitt is a member of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment Leadership Circle. UCF has adopted the U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for buildings that are new or undergoing renovations. An ambitious new Climate Action Plan strengthens UCF’s status as an innovative leader in “green” operations, classes and research. The plan will guide the nation’s third-largest university as it works to meet President Hitt’s pledge to become climate neutral by 2050.


During their senior year, UCF College of Engineering & CS students bridge the gap between academic and professional experience by participating in year-long design projects that involve Renewable & Sustainable Energy. Along with their faculty advisors, engineering students work to develop innovative product proposals, conduct the design analysis, design and build a prototype, prepare engineering reports, and present at the Progress Energy Senior Design Symposium in Renewable & Sustainable Energy. Besides showcasing engineering innovation and talent development for the next wave of UCF engineers in the Clean Energy Sector, results include invaluable experiences in project management, leadership and teamwork building.

IEEE EDS Colloquium to take place on March 25 & 26

The IEEE Electron Device Society (EDS) Orlando Chapter, the IEEE UCF Student Branch and School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science would like to welcome you to the IEEE EDS Mini-Colloquium to take place on March 25th and 26th at University of Central Florida, ENG 3 (HEC) building, room 101.The technical program consists of nine talks given by
internationally recognized lecturers in the field of electron devices. The topics
include electron device physics and modeling, electrostatic discharge protection
design, testing and circuit simulation, high-k gate, reliability, and fabrication for advanced technologies.


This colloquium will provide an excellent opportunity for UCF graduate and undergraduate students to learn about the state of the art in micro/nanoelectronics, to interact and exchange ideas with the speakers, and to discuss research activities. Furthermore, it provides a great networking opportunity for all the IEEE members in the Central Florida region. Refreshments
will be provided. For detailed information visit:
http://esd.eecs.ucf.edu/index.pl/Seminars

The schedule is listed below:

Thursday,
March 25th
8:30- 8:50 AM Dr. Issa
Batarseh (UCF) Director's Message

8:50
- 9:00 Dr. Juin J. Liou (UCF) Opening Speech

9:00
- 9:15 Slavica Malobabic (UCF, EDS) Welcome Note

9:15
- 10:15 Dr. Tom Sah & Dr. Binbin Jie (CTSAH Associates) Bipolar MOS Field-Effect Transistor Characteristics Operation in Unipolar Current Mode

10:15
- 11:15 Dr. Jean-Jacques Hajjar(Analog Devices) Challenges of CDM ESD Events Simulations

2:00
3:00 PM Dr. Vladislav Vashchenko (National Semiconductor) ESD for Analog IC
Design

3:00
- 4:00 Dr. Tim Maloney (Intel)Charged Device Model ESD from Factory to Testing

4:00
- 5:00 Dr. Weng Hong Teh (Intel) To 3D or Not To 3D

Friday,
March 26th

8:30 - 9:30 AM Dr. Fernando Guarin (IBM) Microelectronic Reliability Topics for Advanced CMOS and SiGe Technologies

9:30 - 10:30 Dr. Steven Voldman (Intersil) ESD Protection on System

10:30 - 11:30 Dr. Adelmo Ortiz-Conde (Simon Bolivar University) Recent Applications of the
Lambert Function in Device Modeling

11:30 - 12:30PM Dr. Hemanth Jagannathan (IBM) High-k/Metal Gate Technology or Si CMOS Applications - From Inception to Realization

We hope to see you all there!

Optics Day at CREOL, The College of Optics & Photonics

Every year CREOL hosts an open house event aimed at showing our local
community what we do - Optics! This year, to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the first operational laser, we are expanding our event
into 2 days:

Friday, April 2nd
Optics Day - an educational experience in a broad array of optics
applications focusing on manifestations of the Laser. Come visit CREOL
and hear a talk about the impact of optical technologies in society, see
demonstrations, and join research lab tours. Targeted at all ages, from
kids to teachers to senior optical engineers.

Saturday, April 3rd
SPIE Regional Symposium - join young professionals and graduate students
in a day long mini-symposium at CREOL featuring technical talks about
future laser technologies and the art of communicating science.
Finally, network with graduate students, scientists, and engineers from
the southeastern US at a poster session of research and technology.

Visit our website
(http://students.creol.ucf.edu/LaserFest/ (
http://students.creol.ucf.edu/LaserFest/ )) for details. Online
registration is required for the Saturday Symposium.

Hope to see you there!

Nominations open for 2010 Governor's Business DiversificationAwards

Contact: Stuart Doyle (407) 956-5689 sdoyle@eflorida.com

Nomination open for 2010 Governor’s Business Diversification Awards

Program honors businesses for economic diversification achievements

ORLANDO, FL (March 23, 2010) – Calling all Florida businesses in emerging and high-tech industries (IT, homeland security, biotech, etc.): Nominations are open for the 2010 Governor’s Business Diversification Awards competition.

The program honors companies with measurable accomplishments that have enhanced Florida’s economic diversification efforts. And those achievements must have been made during 2009 in at least one of the state’s target industries for high-wage job creation and economic diversification:

  • Aviation/Aerospace
  • Clean Energy
  • Financial/Professional Services
  • Homeland Security/Defense
  • Information Technology
  • Life Sciences
  • Manufacturing
  • Trade/Export Services

The entry deadline is June 25 at 5 p.m. ET., and the application will be available online via Enterprise Florida’s Web site starting March 30.

Nominations can be made by local and regional economic development organizations and professional or industry associations. Self-nominations also are acceptable. Three awards will be given in each of these categories:

  • Governor’s Green-to-Gold Award – for a company, organization or institution that, through product or process, best exemplifies “green” leadership.
  • Governor’s Business Expansion Award – for a company that expanded its Florida operations in 2009, investing capital and creating jobs for Floridians
  • Governor’s Newcomer Award – for a new-to-Florida company that began operating in the state in 2009
  • Governor’s Export Excellence Award – for a Florida company with a significant increase in documented export sales in 2009
  • Governor’s Entrepreneurship Award – for a company less than five years old that sets the standard for entrepreneurship and creativity
  • Governor’s Innovation Award– for a company, organization or institution that, through product or process, best exemplifies innovative leadership.

The winners will be announced in September and presented with their awards that month during Florida’s Industry Appreciation Week.

* * *

Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries. In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

#####

"Coherent Detection of Polarization Multiplexed Amplitudeand Phase Modulated Optical Signals" presented by AgilentTechnologies!

Coherent Detection of Polarization Multiplexed
Amplitude and Phase Modulated Optical Signals
Onsite Presentation
LOCATION:UCF CREOL Building Room 102
DATE: April 7, 2010
TIME: 12:00 PM to 1:00pm

Get Ready for 40/100G Optical Networks

Why this presentation is important:
This presentation will explore topics of polarization multiplexing.

Polarization multiplexing allows you to increase the spectral
efficiency by a factor of two with minimal effort on the transmitter
side. It is widely discussed especially for the realization of 100G
transmission links. Coherent detection opens a path to demultiplex the
signals on the receiver side just using digital signal processing.

Interested in related events?

For more information on all Photonics and Digital presentations,
visit:
www.agilent.com/find/DPTwebcasts (
http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/eventDetail.jspx?cc=CA&lc=eng&ckey=1652945&nid=-34945.0.08&id=1652945
)
Master High-Speed Digital Test Challenges and Get Ready for 40/100G
Optical Networks

Representation of a polarization multiplexed QPSK signal in the Stokes-Space

In this presentation we will discuss Complex Modulation
Polarization Division Multiplexing
Signal Propagation & Jones Calculus
Coherent vs Direct Detection
Instrument Components
Channel Matrix Estimation
Measurement Examples

Presented by Mark Brayer
Senior System Engineer for
Photonics, HS Digital and Wireless Applications

Who should view this presentation:
R&D engineers and researchers and studentswho are new to polarization
multiplexing of advanced optical modulation.

Pizza and drinks will be provided
Regards,

Agilent Technologies
Eric Schwartz 321-235-2037 eric_schwartz@agilent.com

©2008 Agilent Technologies

Friday, March 26, 2010

EuroTrade Forum -- May 2-5 -- Orlando, FL

Transatlantic trade between the United States and Europe is the single largest trading partnership in the world with U.S. bilateral trade with Europe totaling nearly $600 billion! European markets offer significant opportunities for U.S. businesses, whether small or medium-sized, new-to-export, or new-to-market!

The European regions of the U.S. Commercial Service are excited to have selected the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) National Conference as the venue for its international tradecraft and client counseling program, the EuroTrade Forum.

The MEP conference will provide you with a forum to meet 28 Senior Commercial Officers (SCOs) from U.S. Embassies throughout Europe and to reach an extensive network of manufacturing partners and clients. Via a program of seminars and individual counseling sessions, the U.S. Commercial Service will assist you and other invited manufacturers with exporting your products and services to Europe.

All U.S. manufacturers and service providers participating in the EuroTrade Forum will benefit from sessions on:

Basics of exporting

Export financing and logistics

Intellectual property protection, legal and regulatory considerations

Market overviews

Plus, one-on-one counseling sessions with U.S. Senior Commercial Officers to help you identify market opportunities for your firm!

Registration/Agenda/Speaker Information:
www.eurotrade-events.com

Venue:

Orlando Marriot World Center

8701 World Center Drive

Orlando, Florida 32824

(407) 239-4200

Date: May 2–5, 2010

Cost: $400 per person

Registration includes:

• All EuroTrade Forum sessions

• Individual counseling sessions with Senior Commercial Officers (minimum three countries)*

• Breakfasts, lunches, breaks (May 3–4)

• Conference program with 28 European country overviews

Sunday, March 21, 2010

You're Invited! - SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FORUM

Event Host: BBIF of Central Florida

The Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED
) is bringing together state and partner organizations that support Florida's small businesses and entrepreneurs.

This free forum is your chance to hear from and interact with key resources for expanding your business, including technical assistance and financing opportunities.

Now more than ever, Florida's small businesses need resources to grow. By helping them build their futures now, we help create more opportunities and new jobs, even during challenging economic times.

Featured Resources Include:
Black Business Loan Program Loans and loan guarantees for minority owned businesses

Disney Entrepreneur Cen
ter Resources for small business in Central Florida from free one-on-one business counseling, and low-cost seminars, to high-impact networking opportunities

Economic Gardening Loan Pro
gram Loans for small businesses that are in the best position to continue making a successful long-term business commitment to Florida

GrowFL - Technical Assistance Pr
ogram Provides a suite of high-end, high-speed technical assistance and business resources to companies that have grown beyond the startup phase.

New Markets Development P
rogram Provides capital investment to businesses located in Florida's low income communities.

Small Business Development Center
Network Provides entrepreneurs and established businesses with the assistance needed to start, grow and succeed, contributing to the Florida economy

EVENT DETAILS:

MARCH 31, 2010 from 2:00 -
4:00 PM

Location: Disney Entrepreneur Center, 315 E. Robinson Street, Ste 100, Orlando, FL
____________________________________________________________________________

Contact us today to reserve your seat!

BBIF of Central Florida

407.649.4780

info@bbif.com

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

How to Effectively Target Markets. Tips for Successful B2C, B2B and B2G Marketing.

Presented by Alianda

Date: Thursday, March 25th

Time:3:00-4:30

Fee: $20 (Free to Incubator Clients)

Location:12565 Research Parkway, HR Suite 360, Training room #123, Orlando, FL., 32826 Please RSVP to Renee Ayala at 407-882-0202 or via email rayala@mail.ucf.edu This seminar will be an opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn more about successful marketing strategies for Business to Consumer (B2C), Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) markets.

Kathleen Peters, Alianda’s Director of Strategic Marketing will present critical factors for target marketing and will compare & contrast market specific strategies, media and tactics. She will present examples of B2C, B2B and B2G marketing from national brands and will lead attendees through the basics of developing a target market strategy for their own target markets. Attendees are encouraged to bring any current marketing materials they would like reviewed by our creative directors during the interactive portion of the seminar.

About Alianda

Alianda is an Orlando advertising agency founded by former Walt Disney World marketing executives. Founded in 1999, the firm has handled major branding and advertising assignments for Enterprise Florida, FedEx, St.

Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the island of St. Kitts and hotels throughout the country. Alianda has also worked with many start-ups in the Orlando area, helping firms to establish and build their brands through the development of logos, sales collateral, websites and advertising campaigns. Agency participants in the March 11 luncheon include co-Creative Directors Mitchell Erick and Daniel Moye, and Kathleen Peters–Alianda’s Strategic Marketing Director.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE)

At the recent Photonics West show, one of the visitors to the CREOL/FPC/FHTCC booth was a Mr. Brandon Smith, who discussed possible FPC member interest in exhibiting at the China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE), with the possibility of a discount to FPC members. The CIOE is a worldwide renowned exhibition, which presents the most advanced optoelectronic technologies and innovations. Mr. Smith is the China Country Manager for Global Sources (www.globalsources.com).

A few points on the CIOE show provided by Mr. Smith:

1. CIOE is held in Shenzhen China, a major center of manufacturing, and very convenient to Hong Kong.

2. The is the 12th year of the show, and will attract 2,100 exhibitors and over 80,000 buyer attendees.

3. The 2010 show will be held September 6-9th.

4. There are several concurrent technical seminar programs held within the show, and speaking opportunities are also available.

You can find complete information on the website at: http://www.cioe.cn/html/list_543.html.

If your company has any interest in, or sales viability in China, Mr. Smith thinks this show will be an excellent opportunity for you. He can be contacted at bsmith@globalsources.com, (435)676-8788.

Jim Pearson

FPC Executive Director

UCF Book Festival April 17


The UCF Business Incubation Program has forwarded this information to you on behalf of our friends at the UCF Book Festival.

Please join us at the UCF Arena April 17. For more information visit the Web site at www.bookfestival.ucf.edu or see the attached flyer.

How to Effectively Target Markets. Tips for Successful B2C, B2B and B2G Marketing

Presented by Alianda

Date: Thursday, March 25th

Time: 3:00-4:30

Fee: $20 (Free to Incubator Clients)

Location: 12565 Research Parkway, HR Suite 360, Training room #123, Orlando, FL., 32826

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

This seminar will be an opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn more about successful marketing strategies for Business to Consumer (B2C), Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) markets. Kathleen Peters, Alianda's Director of Strategic Marketing will present critical factors for target marketing and will compare & contrast market specific strategies, media and tactics. She will present examples of B2C, B2B and B2G marketing from national brands and will lead attendees through the basics of developing a target market strategy for their own target markets. Attendees are encouraged to bring any current marketing materials they would like reviewed by our creative directors during the interactive portion of the seminar.

About Alianda

Alianda is an Orlando advertising agency founded by former Walt Disney World marketing executives. Founded in 1999, the firm has handled major branding and advertising assignments for Enterprise Florida, FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the island of St. Kitts and hotels throughout the country. Alianda has also worked with many start-ups in the Orlando area, helping firms to establish and build their brands through the development of logos, sales collateral, websites and advertising campaigns. Agency participants in the March 11 luncheon include co-Creative Directors Mitchell Erick and Daniel Moye, and Kathleen Peters-Alianda's Strategic Marketing Director.

Discover the Power of NAWBO Orlando at our Wine, Women &Chocolate Open House

ATTENTION WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS
You’re invited to Discover
the Power of NAWBO Orlando
at our Annual
Open House
March 23, 2010
6pm - 8pm
Disney Entrepreneur Center
315 E. Robinson Street, Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32801
RSVP by March 20
www.tapintothepower.eventbrite.com • 407.210.3933

DISCOVER • CONNECT • ENERGIZE
new resources
for your business!
with active women
business owners!
your business
at this FREE event!

Political Advocacy • Build Strategic Alliances • Procurement Opportunities • Networking • Certification Assistance • Educational Programs • Political Advocacy • Build Strategic Alliances • Procurement Opportunities • Networking •
Certification Assistance • Educational Programs • Political Advocacy • Build Strategic Alliances • Procurement Opportunities


The UCF Business Incubation Program has forwarded this information to you on behalf of our friends at NAWBO Orlando. If you are not a Women Business Owner but know someone who is and can benefit from this information please feel free to pass this along. If you wish to register, please call and register through the information found in the attached flyer.

E.R. Precision Open House - New facility

E.R. Precision Optical is proud to announce the opening of our new expansion in IR crystal growth.
Please visit us at booth # 534 at the SPIE Defense, Security, & Sensing Show in Orlando FL from April 6th-8th. We will be having an open house at our new facility on April 7th supplying transportation, drinks, and appetizers. We will also be holding a Q & A session for each group of visitors. ERPOC will have 2 different limos shuttling from the Marriott to our new facility every 40-45 minutes from 2pm until 7pm.
This will be a first come first serve basis, unless you RSVP with a requested time by COB 3/26/10 to:
Jason Hess
jhess@eroptics.com 407-292-5395 office

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Notice: Governor Signing Unemployment Compensation Tax Bill

For Immediate Release
March 9, 2010

Contact: Governor’s Press Office
850-488-5394

MEDIA ADVISORY

Continuing his commitment to strengthening Florida’s economy, Governor Charlie Crist will host bill signing ceremonies throughout the state to promote legislation providing tax relief to Florida businesses, Wednesday, March 10, 2010. House Bill 7033 reduces Florida’s unemployment compensation tax for two years by delaying changes to the unemployment tax calculation methodology. Economic development organizations and partners are encouraged to attend.

Details for the events are as follows:

Tallahassee
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: The Capitol, Governor’s Large Conference Room
Address: 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Orlando
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Location: Central Florida Partnership at the Chamber of Commerce Building
Address: 75 South Ivanhoe Blvd, Orlando, FL 32802

Tampa
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Tampa Bay Partnership
Address: 4300 W. Cypress Street, Atrium, Tampa, FL 33607

Fort Myers
Time: 2:45 p.m.
Location: Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce
Address: 2310 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Miami
Time: 4:40 p.m.
Location: Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
Address: 1601 Biscayne Boulevard, Ballroom Level, Miami, FL 33132-1260

Courtesy Enterprise Florida

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

"Excellence in Entrepreneurship Certificate Course"

The UCF Business Incubation Program and UCF College of Business announce the next offering of the


"Excellence in Entrepreneurship Certificate Course"


This dynamic, intense short course explores the realities of planning and starting a company and helps you learn how to successfully develop and launch a business.


Taught by experienced entrepreneurs, professional service providers and entrepreneurship faculty from the University of Central Florida, the course will help you clarify your business concept and walk you through the steps of planning and starting a business. The course will introduce you to resources and advisors that provide invaluable support in laying the foundation for a successful company. Below are comments from some of the participants in our last class:

"This course has been extremely helpful and beneficial. I really appreciate how 'the good, the bad and the ugly' were presented and the wealth of resources in Central Florida I learned about."

"We've had an amazing restructuring due to what we learned in class and are experiencing an increase in business."

"The class really helped to crystallize what I was doing, how to do it better and who I am doing it for. Thanks!"

"I'm better prepared to build a quality team and I'm excited about the marketing ideas I learned. The course is an outstanding value!"


The course begins Tuesday, April 20, 2010 and concludes Thursday, May 13, 2010. Classes will be held from 6-9pm at the Disney Entrepreneur Center facility located on 315 E. Robinson Street, Suite 100, Orlando FL., 32801.

The course fee is $400 for the first participant from a company and $200 for each additional participant from the same company. To register please visit our website at http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/. Registration must be completed no later than April 13, 2010. We strongly suggest that all individuals involved in management of the company participate together in the course.

If you have applied to or expressed interest in being considered for acceptance to the UCF Business Incubation Program, this course is a required element of the application process.

Class Schedule

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Session 1 – Developing Successful Business Ideas

Is your business concept an idea or truly an opportunity? Learn how to tell the difference. Learn how to analyze the opportunity to develop an effective business model.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Session 2 – Building a Strong Business Team

The product or service you will offer is important. Even more important is the team you build - management, employees, Board, investors, service providers. Learn how to build the best team possible to drive the success of your new venture.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Session 3 – Proper Legal and Ethical Foundations

Many decisions are involved in establishing a new venture. Learn what the legal options are. Explore how to establish high standards of business ethics.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Session 4 – Marketing Strategies and Effective Sales

No matter how beneficial your product or service is, if you don’t know who the customer is and tell the message in an effective way to get their attention, you won’t have sales.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Session 5 – Funding and Financing

You’ve analyzed the opportunity and begun to build a team to drive success. You’ve written a great business plan. How do you secure the financial resources to make it all happen?

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Session 6 – Entrepreneurial Insights

A panel of experienced entrepreneurs will share their insights “from the trenches”. What have they learned? What would they do differently? What is their advice to you?

Tuesday, May 11, 2010 and Thursday, May 13, 2010

Session 7 – Business Presentations

You will have the opportunity to make a presentation to a group of experienced entrepreneurs and get feedback about your business, market and financial opportunities

ENROLLMENT FOR EACH COURSE IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 14 Companies.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Small Business Export Expo

Office of U.S. Senator George LeMieux and the U.S. Department of Commerce present a Small Business Export Expo

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Disney Entrepreneur Center: 315 East Robinson Street, Landmark Center One, Suite 100, Orlando, FL

This event is free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis.

To RSVP please call (407) 318-2730 or email rsvpevent@lemieux.senate.gov

Federal and local export panelists will provide information in their specialized areas:

  • Export readiness, strategies, and functions for existing businesses
  • Partner identification and qualification
  • Export compliance and clearance
  • Warehousing and logistics

Licensing Executives Society: March 11 Florida Chapter Meeting

DATE & TIME
Thursday, March 11
11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

TITLE
Strategic Alliance as a Tool for Rebuilding Profits in the New Global
Economy

SPEAKER
Phyl Speser, J.D., Ph.D. Founder and CEO of Foresight Science &
Technology Incorporated and chair of the LES Strategic Alliance
Committee.

Dr. Speser has run commercialization programs under contract to the
DoE, NIH, EPA, NIST, USDA, DOD, and NSF SBIR Programs.
Foresight conducts around 500 new commercialization projects each
year for corporate, university, and government agencies in the US
and abroad. Dr. Speser is the author of the best selling textbook The
Art & Science of Technology Transfer, (Wiley, 2006).

DESCRIPTION
There are two undisputed facts in the current climate: First credit is
tight. Second, the engines of the last century’s economy are literally
and figuratively running out of power. The collapse of the domestic
auto industry and global layoffs in all economic sectors are signs that
“the times they are a’ changing” and new times will present new
challenges and new opportunities for licensing executives.
The LES Strategic Alliances Committee is pleased to present a
seminar focused on leveraging the innovative potential of America’s
small and mid-sized companies to leapfrog ahead in the new global
economy. In the current recession, small and mid-sized enterprises
(SMEs) are likely to be significant engines of growth in the early
stages of the recovery. More flexible and nimble, such firms are able
to more rapidly exploit emerging market opportunities. Even more
importantly, they can tap into a number of federal and state programs
that subsidize R&D and product development. By building supply
chains that include these IP suppliers, companies can leverage
available technology and government R&D funding in areas of
significant opportunity such as green energy, healthcare,
transportation, education, and sustainable natural resource extraction.
Together with the Florida Chapter, the LES Strategic Alliance
Committee has prepared a seminar that provides insights into
partnering with SMEs. An alliance with SMEs can be modeled as a
real option. We begin with a look at structuring alliances with SME IP
suppliers. We then explore best practices for in and out licensing at
SMEs via a panel of Federal Government Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) Program Award winner(s). We conclude with a brief
look at deal-making and at the roles for corporate, university, and
Federal licensing executives, IP lawyers, and consultants in building
and supporting alliances involving SMEs. Discussion is welcome
throughout.

LOCATION

Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute at Lake Nona
6400 Sanger Road
Orlando FL 32827

ONLINE REGISTRATION
LES Members & Non-Members: $35
Online Registration Deadline: March 10, 12 PM

CANCELLATION POLICY
No refunds after March 10
Substitutions are permitted

EVENT CONTACT
Greg Nelson
LES Florida Chapter Co-Chair
greg.nelson@novakdruce.com

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Join SEIA Today - Support the Solar Industry & Save on Insurance

As the national trade association for the solar energy industry in the United States, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) advocates for the increased use of solar through market expansion, business development, and elevation of the industry's profile. With the support of our members, SEIA won a number of recent victories for the industry, including the eight year extension of the investment tax credit (ITC) and the inclusion of 18 provisions that benefit solar companies in the stimulus bill. To maintain this level of growth, the industry must remain united behind one strong, cohesive voice, and we need your help to ensure that happens. We need you to join SEIA.SEIA Member Benefits:
Exclusive access to the comprehensive SEIA member insurance program
Discounts on registration and exhibiting fees at Solar Power International and PV America
Use of the SEIA solar tax manual, a regularly updated resource reserved for SEIA members
SEIA’s weekly member e-newsletter
Free member webinars and frequent legislative and regulatory updates
Membership in one division (photovoltaic, solar services and consumers, solar thermal, or utility-scale solar power)
Optional inclusion in the SEIA online member directory and use of the SEIA member logo
Discounts on posting jobs on the SEIA online job board
Access to the members only section of our website, which includes details on the stimulus package, webinar and newsletter archives, a discussion forum, and more
SEIA’s Goals:
Extending the Treasury Grant Program
Passing a Renewable Energy Standard
Expanding the transmission grid
Passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation
To join SEIA:
You can join SEIA online or download a membership application to submit by email, postal mail, or fax. The SEIA membership application is available at www.seia.org/cs/join_seia.

SEIA membership dues are based on your business type and the combined total of your U.S. solar revenue and government-sponsored research and development from the past fiscal year. A comprehensive dues chart is available here. For more information, please visit www.seia.org or contact us at membership@seia.org or 202-682-0556.
Want to help the solar industry? Protect the right of homeowners to choose to use solar energy. Sign the Solar Bill of Rights today!

URGENT: Proposed Florida R&D Tax Credit -- your help is needed

Support from your company is needed if the company has had any experience with the Federal R&D Tax Credit, as outlined below by Ed Schons. A Florida R&D Tax Credit will certainly help most photonics companies, so please contact Ed as soon as possible to indicate your company's support, or to obtain more information if needed.

Thank you in advance for your support of this important initiative.

Jim Pearson

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jim:

One of our areas of importance for the FPC is to advocate for beneficial legislation in Tallahassee. You may recall that in the past we ask the FPC members to let us know if they had a positive experience with the Federal R&D Tax Credit and if so would they consider providing testimony in Tallahassee advocating a similar program for Florida. As you may recall 31 other states have created state level R&D tax credit programs.

Fortunate for us, Florida R&D Tax Credit bills will again be before our legislature this year and thus the call for help. Representative Scott Plakon has introduced HB 607 and Senator John Thrasher has introduce SB 1184 that if passed would create a Florida R&D Tax Credit. But to succeed will need help from businesses that could benefit from such a program, so we need to have examples of companies that have had experience with the Federal R&D Tax Credit and would allow their firm name to be used with a quote supporting a similar program in Florida, potentially commit to providing help in Tallahassee by appearing before Committees and or Councils and sending letters of support to our legislators.

As you would guess, time is of the essence and anything we can do to get some help for the members right away is appreciated.

Connections with Metro Orlando EDC

As you may know the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (MOEDC) is a strong supporter of the Florida photonics industry and an active member of the FPC. I want to make you aware of some fine information resources from the MOEDC that you or others in your company may want to take advantage of:

2) MOEDC Investor program: http://www.orlandoedc.com/Investor-Center/becomeaninvestor.shtml One of the benefits is an e-newsletter that is sent just to Investor members. The MOEDC folks provided me a copy of one issue for information (see attached). For additional details about this program and its benefits, please contact

Audriene Wolfgramm, Investor Relations

Audriene.wolfgramm@OrlandoEDC.com

(407)422-7159 x246

Other contacts at MOEDC that we work with on FPC matters:

o Gloria LeQuang, Gloria.LeQuang@OrlandoEDC.com, 407-422-7159

o Eric Ushkowitz, eric.ushkowitz@orlandoedc.com, 407-422-7159

Jim Pearson

FPC Executive Director

SEIA Action Alert

Tell Congress to create green collar jobs with solar energy!

Congress is working on legislation to create jobs, and no energy source creates more jobs per dollar invested than solar energy. Tell your members of Congress to support more jobs with renewable solar power. Ninety-four percent of Americans support the U.S. developing more solar energy - it's time for Congress to hear that message. Negotiators in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate are considering four provisions that will help create solar jobs, starting today! Please tell them to:

* Extend the Treasury Grant program that provides cash in lieu of tax credits for commercial solar projects.

* Allow manufacturing facilities to qualify for the commercial solar investment tax credit.

* Restore the $2 billion to the DOE Loan Guarantee Program and make additional modifications including allowing DOE to directly hire consultants and temporary employees.

* Create a "Green Bank" to provide low-interest financing for solar and other renewable projects.

Call your member of Congress today and ask that they support these solar provisions in the upcoming jobs legislation. With your help, we can create thousands of new solar jobs while developing clean energy resources here at home.

Are you a solar champion? Sign the Solar Bill of Rights today!

Building a Successful Brand for Your Company presented by Alianda

Date: Thursday, March 11th Time: 11:30-1:00

Fee: $20 (Free to Incubator Clients)

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 luncheon seminar takes you through the critical issue of creating and marketing your firm's brand. You'll see how smart and consistent branding works to your benefit by making a connection between your firm and its customers. With examples of Fortune 500 firms and tech firms right here in Orlando, you'll learn the key steps involved in determining your brand strategy, developing a company or product logo, and creating a cohesive set of marketing materials and advertising that will help to set you apart from the competition. You'll see the creative and strategic development process first hand via an analysis of the rebranding of an Orlando telephone company and you'll gain confidence in your ability to lead and manage the branding and marketing of your own firm.

About Alianda

Alianda is an Orlando advertising agency founded by former Walt Disney World marketing

executives. Founded in 1999, the firm has handled major branding and advertising assignments for Enterprise Florida, FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the island of St. Kitts and hotels throughout the country. Alianda has also worked with many start-ups in the Orlando area, helping firms to establish and build their brands through the development of logos, sales collateral, websites and advertising campaigns. Agency participants in the March 11 luncheon include co-Creative Directors Mitchell Erick and Daniel Moye, and Kathleen Peters-Alianda's Strategic Marketing Director.

Monday, March 1, 2010

CREOL Industrial Affiliates Day 2010

CREOL Industrial Affiliates Day 2010
Program theme: "Optics at the Limit"
Friday, April 9, 2010
University of Central Florida
Full information is available on the CREOL website at http://www.creol.ucf.edu/Partnerships/Affiliates/AffiliatesDay2010/. Advance registration is requested, but there is no registration fee.

In addition, all participants are invited to join in the the great social event the next day, "The Spring Thing" hosted by Dr. MJ Soileau. Information on this event is also on the above website.