"Successful Incubator and Tech Park Models for Technology Commercialization"

Tuesday, March 20, 2007: 7:30a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago IL 60604

The Technology Commercialization Task Force of the Economic Development Council is pleased to present a Breakfast Forum focused on successful incubators and tech park models for technology commercialization and the impact on economic development.

The Forum will feature Ilse Treurnicht, the CEO of the MaRS Discovery District in downtown Toronto, Canada. The MaRS Centre, which opened in May 2005, comprises 700,000 square feet in three buildings occupied by over fifty companies and organizations. The facility is expected to grow to over 1.5 million square feet within the next two years. The Centre is designed to serve as a platform for regional innovation based in an urban setting, bringing together people and enterprises that are synergistic with respect to innovation and commercialization.

In addition, representatives of four major tech parks in Illinois will describe the activities and future vision for our local incubator and tech parks. The Forum will be presented in a panel format with ample time allotted for audience discussion.

The cost of the Breakfast Forum is $50.00/$35.00 for members. Reservations are mandatory.

Following the Forum, Illinois Global Partnership has arranged for a program and tour of the Illinois Science and Technology Park in Skokie and the University Technology Park at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. The tour includes lunch. Buses will depart following the Forum at 11:30 a.m. The additional cost for this program is $25/$15 for members. Again, reservations are mandatory. Reservation must be received by March 16, 2007.

EDC Members click here to pay on-line.
Non Members click here to pay on-line.
Click here to open a faxable form for this event. (Fax: 773-279-8872.)

The agenda and speakers are as follows:

7:30 - 8:00 Registration and continental breakfast
8:00 - 9:45 Presentations
• MaRS Discovery District - Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, MaRS Discovery District, (www.marsdd.com)
• IIT's University Technology Park - David Baker, Vice President for External Affairs, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), (www.universitytechnologypark.com)
• Illinois Science + Technology Park - Michael Rosen, Senior Vice President, New Business Development, Forest City Science+ Technology Group (www.forestcityscience.net)
• Chicago Technology Park - David Gulley, Associate Vice President for Technology and Economic Development, University of Illinois system and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, (www.imdc.org)
• Research Park at the University of Illinois (Champaign) Scott Pickard, Manager, Enterprise Works, (www.researchpark.uiuc.edu)
9:45 - 10:00 Coffee break
10:00 - 11:15 A panel comprised of our speakers and moderated by Alicia Loffler, Director, Center for Biotechnology, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, (www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/biotech).
11:30 Busses depart for optional tour of Chicago Tech Parks which last to 6:00

Co-Sponsoring Organizations:
Illinois Global Partnership
Canadian Consulate General, Chicago