Sunday, August 10, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
IHIF Innovention Conference 2008
This year’s conference started out with a few changes, for instance a speed networking session before the Monday night reception. The event was held in the Sagamore Ballroom at the Indianapolis Convention Center. I played a different role this year. I volunteer my time and helped escort several of the speakers to their engagements. What made the conference really unique for myself was incorporating my new favorite past time! I brought my camera along for video blogging. Watch my video blog series of the event as I talk with exhibitors, and participants. (Look at the series below.)
This years topic was centered around improving the value of healthcare. The morning started with the IBJ Power Breakfast where a group of 200+ listen to the perspectives of Nate Feltman (IEDC), and the President of Purdue University, France Cordova. Following the conclusion of the IBJ breakfast we moved over to the conference hall. Here participants where able to walk the floor and have one-on-one conversations with life science companies. As I walked the floor some of the more interesting conversation I had were with Deb Halberg, Barnes & Thornberg, LLP talking about the development of B&T's nanotechnology group. I spoke with Martin and Erica with the Language Training Center. (View Video Blog #3) The LTC specializes in bridging the language and cultural barriers for life sciences personnel, marketing and technical materials.
The real highlight for the IHIF was the launch of the Statewide Asset Mapping and Strategic Planning Initiative. I received an invite from Mike Brooks to attend the press conference for the asset mapping initiative. (View Video Blog #2) My professional advice is if you did not participate in the asset mapping survey process, contact the IHIF to become part of the database.
There was the opportunity to site down to lunch and network. In the line for lunch I had the pleasure of meeting John Hanak, who heads up Purdue's Tech Parks in the state of Indiana. This was a very valued introduction and conversation. Gazelle Web & Consulting, LLC has been preparing a marketing and business development initiative with the state's business incubators and tech parks as a member of the National Business Incubator Association (NBIA) member. Speaking of which the NBIA has their 2008 Conference coming up in New Orleans in October. A side note, IBIS (Indiana Business Incubator Society) is getting ready for their next meeting.
Thank goodness for Hubbard and Cravens Coffee bar to survive the break out sessions! The break out sessions ranged in many topics and speakers. I myself was interested in listening to the session on "Understanding a Life Science Business Plan". The panel was represented by three VC firms and an associate from Ice Miller, LLP. The panel discussed their understanding and perspective of what goes into a success and executable business plan. The ultimate goal is to attract VC fund for growing a start-up business. My question was on how Indiana is currently ranked in the top 25 for VC in the country, and how we can increase that ranking to attract more VC companies and investors. I also inquired as to what other alternative funding sources are currently available to those SMB. I did not get any concrete answer, so what I took away for my clients and the entrepreneurs I talk with is as follows: Make sure to first have your business plan review by an experienced firm. The firm should have a good success rate in pair those start-ups with VC funding and investors. Make sure that your company's financials are reviewed by a CPA or financial firm. Finally, have the document under go a legal review, especially if the start-up service or product involves and intellectual property. Once you have these done and have rehearsed your elevator pitch then you are ready!
You can find places to review your business plan by doing a simple search online. However, I will recommend two source locally, the Indiana Venture Center, and Gazelle Web & Consulting, LLC. You will be able soon be able to go to Gazelle website and submit a business plan for a free two hour review. Please visit www.runwithgazelle.com as the page to do this will be live by the end of the month!
Innovention 2008 was a great success! Keep toned in to hear about the new platform for the 2009 conference. You may have received an email from the IHIF for a save the date already. If not, you will soon!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Live from BIO -- The Wrap-Up (Sample 3)
Thursday, 6/19/08
Thursday felt a lot like yesterday, except the show traffic seemed to have dwindled. A slow morning in my company's booth allowed me to spend most of the day exploring the show. It was my responsibility to take care of my company's PR for our Midwest region by myself since my companion was stuck in the flooding in
Cedar Rapids, IA. As I worked my way fervently through the myriad booths, I often felt overwhelmed by the technology that each organization embraced to make sure that everyone stopped in to visit their display. Some companies used standard techniques for their business development such as pens, marketing literature, and knowledgeable reps, while some used more unique tactics. The Austria booth, for example, handed out boomerangs since many people mix them up with Australia. Another company had an hour long line to receive a free pair of Crocs.
When the show closed in the evening, I decided to relax for the first time in days. A quiet dinner with a few co-workers topped off a whirlwind week full of networking and learning. My flight leaves on Friday morning so I won't be dropping in during the waning hours of the show.
Everyone says that BIO is a big party where CEOs, scientists, and business people go to take a vacation from their jobs, but if you are dedicated to making the most of your trip, it can be incredibly exhausting. There are many speakers, meetings, and evening events to keep everyone busy the entire week. It was great to see that the State of Indiana had such a large presence and hopefully this will help continue the string of life
science "wins" we've seen in the past few years for the state.
Next year's show will be in Atlanta in May and hopefully I will be selected by my company to attend again. If not, then I'm sure we will have plenty of blogging activity from others who will be representing the IHIF and the State of Indiana.
This all may then be passed through RSS feeds or to whatever web portals for reading, broadcasted and help with companies SEO efforts.
Live from BIO (Sample 2)
Wednesday, 6/18/08 Day two on the tradeshow floor was busy as expected and it also allowed me the first opportunity to step out of my company's booth and walk the floor. Stopping by the Indiana Pavilion first, I was able to greet a few friends as well as meet some who were new to me. It was obvious that those in the Indiana booth are working hard since two different representatives visited me in my company booth to make sure I was wearing my Indiana magnet! Today is the longest day of the show as the State of Indiana dinner was scheduled in the evening. The IEDC did an excellent job of securing prime real estate for the dinner on top of the Western Metal Supply Company Building which is now a part of PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres. Views of the ballpark, downtown, and the San Diego Bay only accentuated the already fantastic dinner.
At the commencement of the dinner, a large group of attendees topped off the evening with a journey to Altitude, one of San Diego's hottest nightspots which is located on the roof of the Mariott. I think it is safe to say that all in attendance had a great time at both the dinner and at the after party. The longest day at BIO is over and tomorrow will bring our last full day at the conference.
This entry would be informative for those attending the event from Indiana about the happenings for the state at BIO. I would make a note as a participant from Indiana at next years BIO to attend the state dinner and after hour functions. You will see that in the blog the creator can embed links wit in their posting that would be useful for event participants and readers. Another example of simple and useable content.
Live from BIO (Sample 1)
Tuesday, 6/17/08
Hello! Brandon Emkes here giving the IHIF a quick report on the recent BIO meeting in San Diego. BIO 2008 kicked off with a slurry of activity yesterday as the career fair kept employers busy until 9:00 PM. Today, the trade show opened for the first time at 3:00 PM and the large crowd waiting at the door quickly spread throughout the San Diego Convention Center to see the latest innovations in Biotechnology. Opening day on the trades how floor was less about doing business and more about picking up freebies and partaking in the occasional cocktail. Foreign country pavilions such as the Czech Republic, Australia, and Ireland were handing out drinks representative of their culture. The first day of BIO is always a fun one as most of the work is done during the longest days of the meeting.
The above blog entry was compose by my friend and colleague Brandon Emkes with Kelley Scientific Services . I am posting his blog along side the my entry as an example of new media access and engagement by participants of events like BIO. Brandon's entry gives a personal feel and insight to one person's experience, thoughts and education at an event. This entry will be followed by several more I hope they will serve as a format for our IHIF New Media Initiative discussion. Just think of the potential for RSS feeds and blog entries of this type to add to the involvement and experience at this months Innovention 2008 Conference.
Monday, June 23, 2008
IHIF New Media Initatives
A couple months ago I had lunch with a colleague up in Broad Ripple, and we discussed the static feeling of attending the current IHIF events. From this conversation we started to discuss using new media formats and technologies. Utilizing these technologies can help to freshen up and engage current and future IHIF members and initiatives. The conversation lead to a great conversation with both Mike Brooks and Kristin Jones on what this would mean to the IHIF. Finally, I held the first meeting a couple of week ago of a new media committee at the IUETC. There was good participation and interest from many members of the IHIF. This will be the first of many blog postings on this topic by myself and others involved. I will ask if your just finding out about this new initiative and have ideas or comments to get involved on this blog site. You may also go to www.runwithgazelle.com or www.ihif.org. Check back for frequent updates and comments. Use the link below to sign up for Innovention 2008 (July 28th & 29th) at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
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