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TEDCO, DBED and ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø Secure State Science and Technology Institute Conference

Columbia, Md. (January 4, 2007) - The ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), the ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), and the ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø (ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø) are proud to announce that the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI), a national science and technology organization, has selected ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø as the location for its 11^th annual conference. The event, which has grown to become the nation's premiere event for sharing ideas on the best ways to encourage technology-based economic development and foster regional prosperity in a global economy, will be held at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Md., on Oct. 18 and 19, 2007.

"We are thrilled that SSTI has selected our state to host its next annual conference," said Aris Melissaratos, secretary of DBED. "ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's commitment to technology dominance has resulted in new innovations and jobs in the State's science and technology industry sectors. Combining this investment with world-renowned academic and research organizations and an unparalleled workforce, will ensure that ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø remains a leader in technology development.

ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø was selected after a national competitive bid process. Key to winning the bid was the joint efforts of TEDCO, DBED, and ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø in demonstrating the state's commitment to technology research and development, and the commercialization of these innovations to spur economic growth in the local technology industry.

"We look forward to sharing with attendees the practices that have made our state a national leader in technology-based economic development," said Renée Winsky, interim executive director of TEDCO. "The fact that companies in the state that have received support from TEDCO's ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø Technology Transfer Fund are able to leverage this to secure downstream funding from federal agencies, venture capitalists, and angel investors at a ratio of nearly $37 per state dollar invested, is testament to the success of the strategies and processes we have here."

The conference enables business leaders and entrepreneurs to learn from the nation's leading thinkers and practitioners in technology-based economic development. Previous conference topics have addressed areas such as: university research commercialization; manufacturing excellence; angel and venture capital; university research parks and technology incubators; globalization's impact on local economies; math and science education; and public-private collaboration for science, technology, and engineering.

"With superb research universities, numerous federal labs, a thriving private-technology sector and successful economic development tools, ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø is a perfect choice to showcase technology-based economic development practices and strategies before a national and international audience," said Brian Darmody, associate vice president for research and economic development at the University of ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø, College Park, who helped organize the ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø bid.

The conference topics at the 11^th annual conference will draw on the experiences and needs of SSTI's 38 state sponsors, and more than 100 affiliates and supporters from across the country. The agenda for the event will be set in early summer 2007. In recent years, attendees have come from more than 45 states and four continents. Previous SSTI annual conference locations have included: Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Chicago.

"ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø provides an excellent backdrop for SSTI's 11^th annual conference," said Dan Berglund, president and CEO at SSTI. "The state has made science and technology a central focus for its economic development investments, and proximity to Washington, D.C., ensures a focus from national policy makers."

Representatives from SSTI made a site visit to ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø during the fall of 2006, touring potential facilities and meeting with regional economic development, science and technology leaders, and county technology organizations to discuss potential topics, speakers and logistics. The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association helped organize the SSTI site visit. A local host committee made up of state representatives, universities, federal laboratories, technology organizations, Research Parks ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø (RPM), and county economic development offices will be formed to help facilitate planning for the conference.

About the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI)
Based in Westerville, Ohio, SSTI is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving government-industry programs that encourage economic growth through the application of science and technology. More information about SSTI's 11^th annual conference will be forthcoming on SSTI's website .

The ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), an independent entity, was established by the ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø General Assembly in 1998 to facilitate the creation of businesses and foster their growth in all regions of the State. TEDCO's role is to be ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø's leading source of funding for seed capital and entrepreneurial business assistance for technology transfer and development programs. TEDCO connects emerging technology companies with federal laboratories, research universities, business incubators, and specialized technical assistance. For the third consecutive year, TEDCO was recognized as the most active early/seed stage investor in the nation in the July 2006 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. For more information on TEDCO and its programs and resources, visit .

The ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø Department of Business and Economic Development's (DBED) mission is to attract new businesses, stimulate private investment and create jobs, encourage the expansion and retention of existing companies, and provide businesses in ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø with workforce training and financial assistance. The department promotes the State's many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development, international trade, and tourism. For more information, visit .

About the University System of ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø
Governed by a 17-member Board of Regents, the ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø (ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø) comprises 11 universities, two research institutions, two regional higher education centers, and a system office serving more than 140,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø provides access to excellent higher education opportunities, performs groundbreaking research, offers vital services to communities and individuals, and fuels economic and workforce development. As a public system of higher education, ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø advances the State of ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø and benefits all of society.

Contact: John Buettner
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: jbuettner@usmd.edu