Getting visibility for your innovative technology is always a challenge. The 2009 National Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Program (SBIR/STTR) Conference, held Nov. 2-5, 2009, in Sparks, Nev., will offer ample opportunities to present your innovations and research to other companies interested in partnerships and cross-licensing agreements.

While the conference is designed primarily to help companies compete for more than $2.3 billion in grants and contracts awarded annually by 11 federal agencies participating in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, the conference also enables small companies to promote themselves and their products.

“Three intensive speed-networking sessions focusing on medicine and agriculture, science and defense, and energy and the environment will permit entrepreneurs and inventors to meet their counterparts from across the country,” said Dr. Fritz Grupe, conference coordinator. “At times the person sitting across from you has vital information, a cross-licensing proposal or a need your company can meet. In 90 minutes, you can meet more valuable partners than you can in months of searching online.”

According to Grupe, a scheduled poster showcase will provide additional access for companies promoting their innovations. “Poster showcases are always effective and this year will be no different,” he said. “It’s a chance for a company to promote a special service or product to every attendee during a reception especially designed to engage the broadest possible audience.” Larger companies will promote themselves as exhibitors or by sponsoring the conference. Some 30 prime contractors, SBIR consultants, and other service companies will be present in the exhibit hall.

All attendees will have opportunities to meet with representatives of federal agencies in one-on-one sessions to determine the viability of their inventions and whether they meet eligible federal needs. Administrators will be in attendance from the U.S. Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, Department of Energy, Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Transportation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Agriculture.

The Re-Energizing America: 2009 National SBIR/STTR Conference is hosted by the Nevada Small Business Development Center in the University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Administration, and made possible by generous sponsors and underwriters including the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization (NIREC), the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP, Dawnbreaker, Holland & Hart and Teva. The conference is administered by University of Nevada, Reno Extended Studies.