Discover Florida's Hottest Technologies and Research at Florida Innovation Showcase 2008: Milton Chang Featured as Luncheon Keynote Speaker
Florida Innovation Showcase 2008 Conference:
ORLANDO, Fla. (PRWEB) November 15, 2007
About the Conference
On March 19 & 20, 2008, Florida Innovation Showcase 2008 will provide the forum to showcase Florida's hottest university technologies and research competencies for leveraging research and development efforts. The conference is presented by the Florida Research Consortium, a not-for-profit strategic partnership between Florida's universities, the business community and state government, created to introduce attendees to exciting discoveries being generated as a result of the tremendous volume of research taking place throughout the state of Florida.
Co-located with SPIE Defense + Security Symposium at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, Florida Innovation Showcase 2008 will highlight Florida's best and the brightest emerging Homeland Security and Defense expertise, with a special emphasis on Laser and Optics technologies.
According to Tom O'Neal, Associate Vice President of Office of Research & Commercialization at the University of Central Florida and Chairman of the Florida Innovation Showcase 2008, "As an entrepreneur, technology scout, economic development professional, technology industry observer or angel investor, don't miss the opportunity to learn more about these future success stories. The conference is designed to showcase the ideas and allow attendees to meet the researchers who are shaping tomorrow's technologies today. Become a part of this national audience and see first-hand the leading research opportunities and technologies available for licensing that reflect Florida's promising technology future."
Featured Keynote Speaker
Milton Chang, widely considered among the most successful tech entrepreneurs in the world, will keynote the conference.
Beyond his own personal success, Chang has funded nearly 20 other startups without a single failure. His track record makes him a preeminent authority on the topic of how to be successful in tech commercialization.
Chang's experience with incubation and high-tech start-ups began when he successfully took the Newport Corp. public in 1971. He went on to provide the original seed capital to Uniphase (later JDS-Uniphase) and New Focus (acquired by Bookham), which he founded in 1990 and took public in 2000. He is now focusing on his latest endeavour, the Incuibic investment fund, where he shares his expertise and experience with entrepreneurs and investors. The company's motto is "We Help Entrepreneurs Build Great Companies."
"Milton Chang is simply the best recognized figure in the world when one thinks of commercializing optics technologies," said M. J. Soileau, vice president for research at the University of Central Florida and Sponsorship Chair of the Florida Innovation Showcase 2008 event. "Anyone with any interest in building or investing in a high-tech company should take advantage of this opportunity to meet him at the Florida Innovation Showcase."
Chang currently sits on the boards of AviaraDx, OpVista, and Rockwell Scientific, and has received a number of prestigious awards from professional societies. He is a member of the Optical Society of America and the Laser Institute of America, and was former president of IEEE LEOS and LIA. He is known for openly sharing his experience and also writes business columns for Laser Focus World and Photonics Spectra. Chang enjoys what he does and loves spending time sharing it with the technical and business communities.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in EE from the University of Illinois and graduated with highest honors. Chang went on to get his Masters of Science degree and his Ph. D. from the California Institute of Technology and also attended Harvard University. He has received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Illinois and CIT and is now a member of the Board of Trustees for California Institute of Technology.
Conference Registration
To register for the conference, visit www. FLinnovation. org. Early Conference Registration - Prepaid by February 1, 2008 - To qualify for the early registration fee, we must receive your payment (online via credit card, via phone registration, or by check) by end of business day on February 1. Florida High tech Corridor Council, TBTF, Florida Research Consortium, and Promotional Partner Rate: $245 (use your discount code); Non-Members: $295; University Students: $150.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information please contact Heather Kenyon at hkenyon@tbtf. org.
Florida Research Consortium
The Florida Research Consortium is a not-for-profit strategic partnership between Florida's universities, the business community and state government. For more information, visit www. floridaresearch. org.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida is a public, multi-campus, metropolitan research university, dedicated to serving its surrounding communities with their diverse and expanding populations, technological corridors, and international partners. The mission of the university is to offer high-quality undergraduate and graduate education, student development, and continuing education; to conduct research and creative activities; and to provide services that enhance the intellectual, cultural, environmental, and economic development of the metropolitan region, address national and international issues in key areas, establish UCF as a major presence, and contribute to the global community.
