Media Advisory: Technology-Based Economic Development Conference Arrives in Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo's New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences is hosting the 2011 Technology-Based Economic Development (TBED) Conference.

The two-day event, led by the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC), is taking place today and tomorrow, Oct. 26 and 27, at the UB Center of Excellence, 701 Ellicott Street in Buffalo. For a complete agenda, download the conference brochure at http://www.nysedc.org/images/stories/downloads/11_tech-led_ed_conference_brochure.pdf.

At the TBED conference, presenters and attendees from across the state and region will examine efforts to transform economies through science, technology and entrepreneurship. Michael Finney, president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, will deliver the keynote address.

Other speakers range from David Hochman, executive director of the Business Incubator Association of New York State, to Dan Berglund, president and CEO of the State Science and Technology Institute, which has developed a nationwide network of practitioners and policymakers dedicated to improving the economy through science and technology.

Sessions of particular interest to members of the media may include the following, which take place in the Zebro Room of Roswell Park Cancer Institute's Center for Genetics and Pharmacology, adjacent to UB's Center of Excellence:

* 2:30 p.m., Oct. 26. University Entrepreneurship and Regional Economic Growth: Lessons Learned from Recent Evaluation Studies. Donald Siegel, Dean of the University at Albany's School of Business, will discuss his research on evaluation of technology transfer offices, incubators, science parks and efforts to promote start-up creation at universities.

* 4:15 p.m., Oct. 26. The Western NY/Finger Lakes TBED Strategy: Collaborating on Capital, University and International Assets and Resources. Al Culliton, chief operating officer of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency and Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Corporation, will discuss regional TBED strategies related to financing start-ups, creating meaningful partnerships with universities, and many other topics.

* 9 a.m., Oct. 27. Innovation and Business Development Support for Clean Technology. Michael H. Shimazu, senior project manager for innovation and business development at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), will discuss his agency's initiatives in support of developing and commercializing clean energy technology.

* 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 27. Building the New Economy through the JumpStart NY Project. Marnie LaVigne, director of business development for the UB Center of Excellence and UB's Center for Advanced Biomedical and Bioengineering Technology (UB CAT), will discuss how Western and Central New York have paired up with nationally recognized JumpStart to translate lessons learned from Cleveland's success in building an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As part of the UB Center of Excellence's Life Sciences Commercialization Lecture Series, Patrick Foye, deputy secretary for economic development in the Office of the Governor and recently appointed executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will deliver a talk titled, "Driving the High-Tech Economy in New York State" immediately following the TBED conference. Foye's presentation will take place in the Zebro room at 2 p.m. Oct. 27.

Media arrangements: Contact the Office of University Communications at chsu22@buffalo.edu or 716-645-6969.