If you attended the August 13th Knowledge Session, then you've already learned a lot on this topic. The goal of the Roundtable discussion will be to expand on what we've already learned or to catch up if you missed the Knowledge Session. Think about the following questions and be prepared to share your experiences, thoughts and best practices with your peers.
* How can your sales team leverage your brand?
* Why should your sales team care about your brand?
* What is brand anyway?
* How do you tell what your employees REALLY think about your brand?
* Why is it important to protect, strengthen, and build your brand?
* How do you provide your organization with a "blueprint" that will strengthen your brand?
* What initiatives can you implement to have the most impact on your brand?
* Practical brand-building tips and tools.

RSVP: https://m360.smei.org/ViewEvent.aspx?id=3627&instance=0
410-925-6005
baltimore@smei.org

Sponsored by: Baltimore Business Journal, R2 Integrated, All Factual, ExpressConnect, EntreQuest

The World Trade Center and M&T Bank are sponsoring Ireland - Maryland's Gateway to the Expanding EU, a forum on September 4 focused on Ireland as a major portal to the expanding European Union. The event will begin with an informative briefing at M&T Bank from the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Ireland. The briefing will be followed by an informal networking happy hour at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub, at 201 East Pratt St. Pavilion, Baltimore.

RSVP: http://www.wtci.org/events/MD-Ireland/Gateway-to-EU-flyer.html
410-576-0022
Janessa@wtci.org

Sponsored by: World Trade Center Institute and M&T Bank

System Source’s Dave Ferg, Enterprise Systems Engineer, will share his experience with Exchange 2007 migrations and cover:
- Reasons to upgrade
- Using server roles to simplify management
- High availability and redundancy
- Migration planning and tools
- Active Directory requirements
- Server requirements
- Lessons learned
- Client migrations: moving from earlier versions of Exchange and GroupWise

RSVP: 410-771-5544 x5, or at: http://www.syssrc.com/seminars
410-771-5544 x5
ghoefner@syssrc.com

Sponsored by: System Source, Microsoft and HP

Start and expand your high technology business using federal government Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. Each year, over $2.3B is set-aside for small technology companies, or individual entrepreneurs who form a company to conduct early stage research and development (R&D) that addresses the needs of 11 federal government agencies. Grants are awarded in this highly competitive three-phase program, to qualified high technology small businesses that propose innovative ideas and solutions to agency requirements. Learn more about the SBIR/STTR grant process, how to investigate the specific R&D needs of the federal government and to prepare winning submissions.

RSVP: Sign up by 8/7/08 on www.centralmdsbdc.org; Click on Training-September 9th.
410-704-5001
mnbennett@towson.edu

Sponsored by: Small Business Development Center

9/10 - 9/12

Strengthen your company's competitive position, financial performance and growth opportunities by understanding the science and technology driving the biotechnology industry. Be more strategic in your relationship-building by understanding who the industry players are and how they interact. Learn from industry scientitsts that have the skills and experience to teach professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds. Scientific and technological advances are constantly being discovered. These innovations rapidly change industry dynamics and competition. Executives who understand cutting-edge science and technologies are better prepared to identify and secure opportunities that advantageously position their companies for success.

RSVP: Kerri Muir
muir@biotechprimerinc.com
410-377-4429
info@BiotechPrimerInc.com

Sponsored by: BioTech Primer

Get the inside track on the next generation of biomedical technology, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices from some of Israel's most promising companies. At the fifth annual MarketReach America conference, you'll meet a select group of Israeli entrepreneurs whose breakthrough products are in advanced development, ready to sell, or ripe for strategic partnering. Don't miss this chance to explore the business and investment opportunities coming out of Israel, the largest destination of global venture capital behind Silicon Valley. Join us for the whole day or just part of it. Prime time is 9:30-1 p.m. for company presentations followed by a networking lunch.

RSVP: Eta Kushner
410-767-0695
ekushner@MarylandIsrael.org

Sponsored by: Maryland/Israel Development Center

IGNITE YOUR IDEAS: interact with experts in new venture creation; meet grant makers, angel investors and venture capitalists; and join with hundreds of active and aspiring entrepreneurs. SHATTER THE BARRIERS TO STARTING YOUR OWN COMPANY: learn how to launch a technology venture from the ground up; discover university initiatives that can help you bring your ideas to market; find out how to raise capital; identify the best ways to safeguard and manage your intellectual property and assets; and gain insight for writing a great business plan and how to market technology products.

RSVP: http://www.bootcamp.umd.edu
301-405-3889
schurr@umd.edu

Sponsored by: University of Maryland

Join us for our annual, exciting FLC Mid-Atlantic Region conference on technology transfer at beautiful Rocky Gap Conference Center and Resort. Topics include energy and tech transfer, partnership development, intellectual property, economic development & tech transfer, a "Town Hall" meeting, and a presentationon "How to Cross the Valley of Death" in technology commercialization.
New technologies that you can use are being developed in the Federal Laboratories every day. By attending this meeting, you will learn about commercialization mechanisms and opportunities. This conference brings together Federal Laboratory Consortium representatives from the FLC Mid-Atlantic Region.

RSVP: jyoung@pendulumsite.com
309-732-1860
jyoung@pendulumsite.com

Sponsored by: Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) for Technology Transfer

The Maryland Chamber’s Business Development Council has assembled a panel of experts to help you learn to achieve business growth and avoid pitfalls during tough economic times. Our expert panelists will examine the elements of successful growth, and the warning signs that your business is in trouble, from a variety of perspectives. Panelists include:
• John M. Collard, Chairman, Strategic Management Partners, Inc.
• C. Edward Hartman, Managing Partner, Hartman & Egeli
• Diane Devaney, President, Devaney and Associates
• Tom Heseltine, Partner, Clifton Gunderson
• AnnMarie Schovee, Managing Director Investment Banking, M&T Bank

RSVP: Gail Lemke, glemke@mdchamber.org
410-269-0642
glemke@mdchamber.org

Sponsored by: Maryland Chamber of Commerce

A special workshop designed to guide high technology companies from “Idea through Commercialization” stages. This workshop coaches technology attendees on how to take their project to the next level. Budding entrepreneurs will discover how to assess the feasibility of their business idea, in addition to gaining expert insights on- protecting intellectual property, marketing their product, financing options, patents, creating a strategic executive summary for approaching investors, and writing an effective business/commercialization plan.

RSVP: www.centralmdsbdc.org
410-704-5001
mnbennett@towson.edu

Sponsored by: Small Business Development Center

Be there as business leaders from the Mid-Atlantic region come together to discuss how BRILLIANT TECHNOLOGY helps their business SUCCEED.

Panel Discussion - Salesforce.com: Success for Small, Medium,
and Large Companies

Panel Members: Peter Van Buren, Director of TerraLogos Green Home Services, Inc.; Gregory Mayer, Chief Sales executive and executive Vice President, Group Insurance Solutions, Inc.; Richard Kirkley, President, Restyle, Inc.

Moderated by Jason Pappas, EntreQuest, Inc. and Rich Wiklund, AvideonCRM.

RSVP: RSVP Rich Wiklund
rwiklund@avideon.com

410-957-1986 x. 801
rwiklund@avideon.com

Sponsored by: AvideonCRM LLC

Embassy Day is the largest gathering of Embassy officials outside of Washington DC and New York. A morning and afternoon trade exhibition will feature the BEST of Maryland in industries ranging from Hospitality to Biotech, along with 2 break-out sessions. Two keynote speakers will enlighten the luncheon audience with their global initiatives.

RSVP: https://www.wtci.org/events/embassyday2008/registration.html
410-576-0022
janessa@wtci.org

Sponsored by: World Trade Center Institute

Presented by: Doug Tatum Founding Partner and Chairman Emeritus of Tatum, LLC and author of: No Man’s Land: What to do when your company is too big to be small and too small to be big

While all companies want growth, growth without the right strategy can render an industry leader obsolete in the blink of an eye. Transitioning from one growth level to another challenges employees and executives to forget the status quo and to embrace flexibility at their core. Understanding the strengths and limitations of your business is crucial to recognizing when and how to usher your company into its next growth phase.

Learn how to achieve that next stage growth and manage the internal changes involved in crossing the chasm. This workshop applies to businesses both large and small and will provide valuable insight in how to get out of No Man’s Land and back on a healthy growing course.

RSVP: www.ubalt.edu/opportunity
410.837.4973
esimpson@ubalt.edu

Sponsored by: Entrepreneurial Opportunity Center

The University of Maryland's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) will celebrate its 100th anniversary (1908-2008) with a series of special events during ECE Centennial Weekend, Sept. 26-27, 2008.

Connect with colleagues, faculty, alumni and friends at our Centennial Reception on Sept. 26. Interact with technology leaders and experts on "The Future of Information Systems and Communications" and "The Future of Energy" at our forum events and Centennial luncheon on Saturday, Sept. 27. Get inspired by visionary inventor of the Segway Transport and other fascinating technologies, Dean Kamen, at the gala celebration and dinner on Saturday evening, Sept. 27.

RSVP: teknight@umd.edu
301-405-3596
teknight@umd.edu

Sponsored by: University of Maryland

Any small business owner who wants to gain a competitive edge in winning government contracts can benefit from this workshop. Since “Cost Proposal is King” in the application process, it is imperative that small businesses become familiar with the essentials and advantages of this procedure. Learn about federal government pricing objectives, how to set rates and fees, commonly used proposal terms, when to bid or not bid, and much more.

RSVP: www.centralmdsbdc.org Click on Training-August 9th
410-704-5001
410-704-5001
mnbennett@towson.edu

Sponsored by: Small Business Development Center

The largest gathering of position-seeking Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics PhD’s in the Washington, DC area. In previous years, over 650 PhD scientists and engineers who are doing post-graduate work at local federal laboratories and universities and are preparing to enter the regional workforce have participated in this event. It is the perfect place for your company to find many of the most highly qualified workers in the country.

RSVP: www.PostdocConference.org
301-315-8096
Benzion@RockvilleREDI.org

Sponsored by: Rockville Economic Development, Inc.

10/22/08 - 10/24/08

Mid-Atlantic Bio is the only regional event to combine an industry convention and investor conference under one roof. The event brings together biotechnology and pharmaceutical senior executives, scientists and researchers, academia, policy makers, and venture capitalists to provide a premiere mid-Atlantic networking and business development forum.

The conference program will feature keynote addresses by the industry's foremost thought leaders, panel discussions on emerging topics critical to the bioscience companies and investors, company presentations, and extensive opportunities to network and build business connections in one of the region’s most attractive conference venues. This year’s conference also includes expanded international programming and events, an inaugural golf tournament at Lansdowne’s Norman Course, and new social networking and business match-making systems.

Confirmed keynote speakers include Nobel laureate Kary Mullis, Ph.D.; FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D.; Billy Tauzin, President and CEO, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA); Jeremy Levin, D.Phil., Senior Vice President of External Science, Technology and Licensing, Bristol-Myers Squibb; and Lex Van der Ploeg, Ph.D., Vice President and Head of Merck’s Boston/Cambridge Research Site.

RSVP: www.MidAtlanticBio.org
866-482-7691
866-482-7691
info@midatlanticbio.org

Sponsored by: Mid-Atlantic Venture Association, Virginia Biotechnology Association, and Tech Council of Maryland

Biotechnology is one of today’s hottest and most exciting industries, and the state of Maryland is becoming a recognized hub for biotechnology companies. Do you know what it takes to start or advance your career in this rapidly evolving field? Are you looking for career options that go beyond the research bench? Do you know what kinds of biotechnology jobs are in demand now and into the future? Attend UMBC’s Biotech Forum (From Bench to Business: Biotechnology Career Opportunities) and hear the answers to questions like these from a panel of industry and FDA experts.

RSVP: www.umbc.edu/biotech
410-455-3034
gambino@umbc.edu

Sponsored by: University of Maryland, Baltimore County

The Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore 2008 Annual Meeting and
Release of our Information Technology Report

RSVP: Darlene Holmes
darleneh@greaterbaltimore.org
410.637.4118
410.468.0100
darleneh@greaterbaltimore.org

Sponsored by: Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore

Pink Elephant is presenting one of the largest events worldwide dedicated to ITIL and IT Service Management. The 13-track agenda of 150+ sessions will enable you to optimize IT best practice frameworks in your organization. Never-before-seen highlights include:

•World launch of new ITIL V3 courses
•Insightful presentations from award winning CIOs who are recognized for their business contributions
•More industry experts highlighting best practices beyond ITIL (CMM, CoBIT, ISO, IT Governance, EFQM, etc.)
•A nostalgic view of ITIL’s beginnings and interviews with the key people involved

RSVP: To register call 1-888-273-7465, info@pinkelephant.com
1-888-273-PINK
info@pinkelephant.com

Sponsored by: Pink Elephant

Free seminar and lunch for IT managers and staff on IT strategies and tools to drive down costs. System Source’s Kevin Groh, Enterprise Engineer and Altiris Consultant, will discuss practical solutions to automate IT lifecycle management for desktops, laptops and servers. He will introduce the new versions of Altiris’ Client Management Suite 7.0 and Security Management Suite 7.0 and cover:
- Automated deployment and migration
- Web-based management console
- Configuration management database
- Integrated hardware and software inventory
- Software packaging
- Automated patch management
- Software license compliance and harvesting
- Policy-based software management
- Graphical workflow to visualize IT processes
- Client experience in reducing the cost of IT opera

RSVP: 410-771-5544 x5, or at: http://www.syssrc.com/seminars
410-771-5544 x5
ghoefner@syssyrc.com

Sponsored by: System Source, Symantec / Altiris