State of Maine Homeland Security Conference 
Seminar Descriptions
May 14, 2004

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 
How to do Business with the Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security is a newly formed consolidation of agencies. This presentation by Kevin Boshears, Director, DHS Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization will help you better understand the process of working with DHS. Businesses that are looking for contract opportunities with DHS or its Prime Contractors should plan to attend. Kevin Boshears, Director, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
Business Forum on Homeland Security 

Businesses large and small will play a part in offering solutions to Homeland Security problems. Our panel of business leaders will discuss some of the timeliest Homeland Security issues. This forum would be of interest to all those interested in understanding business directions in meeting homeland security challenges. Moderated by Dr. Robert Rice-University of Maine. Participants are: Al Finch, ADT Federal Systems; Bob Carr, Applied Thermal Sciences; Bob Ziegelaar, Telford Aviation.

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
Small Business Programs and how they can help you

Small business programs and how they can help you-SBA has a number of programs that help small business becomes more competitive when pursuing prime contracts or subcontracting opportunities. Learn how these programs can be utilized to your business advantage. Also in this presentation are some of the basics of how to successfully market your product or service to the federal government. SBA, Maine District Office and Office of Government Contracting in conjunction with the Market Development Center - Sean Crean and Rick Alexander.

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 
New England Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative: A National Model for Creating New Market Opportunities for SMEs

Moderator: Steve Levesque, Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
Speakers: Maine small business federal supplier success stories, Steve Levesque, (MEP) 

Curriculum: Assessing supplier capabilities and qualifying new vendors - Enhancing manufacturing readiness and developing future procurement opportunities - Increasing manufacturing competitiveness with best practices in Lean Manufacturing (Time Wise™ simulation tools).

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Identifying Supplier Capabilities and Manufacturing Capacity: On-Line Demonstration of Web-Based Supplier Database

Speakers: Steve Levesque, Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP); George Rybarczyk, Partner and Director of Operations, Creative Apparel Association; Marty Arsenault, President, Howard Tool; Harvey Smith, Director of Operations, Kennebec Tool & Die. 

Curriculum: This seminar will demonstrate the "state of art" MEP database application to showcase the capacities of Maine's manufacturers. - Cataloging production and materials capabilities - Identifying innovation experience and business qualifications - On-line demonstration of web-based manufacturing supplier database.

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
Technology Transfer & Commercialization Opportunities with Federal Laboratories: Leveraging Federal R&D Expertise and Partnerships in Advanced Technology and Innovation

Moderator: Nicholas Karvonides, Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

Speakers:

National Institute of Standards & Technology Laboratories (NIST) 
Advanced Technology Program (ATP) 
Omid M. Omidvar, Program Manager & Technology Analyst

National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) 
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) 
Victor Chavez, Manager Office of Advocacy & Small Business Development

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Science & Technology Directorate/Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)
Tim Sharp, Program Manager, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program

Curriculum: - Overview of advanced homeland security technology developments and R&D priorities at federal laboratories - Collaborative R&D opportunities for industry and universities with federal labs and government researchers - Lessons in building effective R&D technology partnerships with federal laboratories & government agencies.

May 14th Conference
Local Government/First Responders and Transportation Officials

10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Topics: Where is Homeland Security in Maine today? Where is it going? Threat Levels and Response for Critical Infrastructure Protection Terrorist Methods (??) Interoperable Communications Homeland Security Grant process and the State Homeland Security Strategy (??) 
Panel: Art Cleaves, MEMA - Bruce Fitzgerald, MEMA - Commissioner Michael Cantara or Lt. William Snedeker, MSP, Bill Schneider, US Attorney's Office

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
Topics: Transportation Focus Awareness and pre-planning: balance of security vs. flow of commerce Critical Infrastructure Protection and Hardening Targets Coordinating Federal/State/Local protection of borders, ports, transport corridors Law Enforcement: Border Patrol, ICE, MSP, Marine Patrol, Game Wardens 
Panel: Judith Harris, City of Portland Transportation Department - Lt. Commander Greg Case, US Coast Guard

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
Topics: Hazardous Materials and Bioterrorism Focus MEMA Hazardous Materials Transportation Study Maine Bureau of Health Projects: Regional Service Areas, National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, Mass Casualty Preparedness and Surge Capacity (??) Maine Department of Agriculture: Plant and Animal Response and protection (Mad Cow, Foot and Mouth, Plant diseases) 
Panel: Robert Gardner, MEMA - Jim Campbell, ME National Guard Civil Support Team (CST) - Maine Bureau of Health - Maine Department of Agriculture

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. 
Challenges of Technology Commercialization

Technology commercialization poses special challenges for start-up businesses and small, growing firms. From defining a market and determining what segment is a target, to planning its assault and a method of execution, the challenges to inventors are substantial. Indeed, customers unfamiliar with new technologies present both unique opportunities and difficulties. The real-world conditions of the marketplace put service and support in the spotlight and unforseen costs can spiral. All of this creates major uncertainties in financial planning and cash flow management.

Commercializing technology is synonymous with rapid growth, and as employees are hired and trained, manufacturing and business systems implemented and supply chain management becomes vital, entrepreneurs must learn simultaneously to manage and lead a larger company.

This presentation will focus on market and growth challenges and discuss real-world approaches for launching new technology ventures. Meriby Sweet, Center Director, Maine SBTDC at MTI. Bret Golann, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Marketing, the University of Maine

2:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
Business Development: Finding the Expertise You Need

Companies interested in commercializing a product or service in Maine can save time and expense by linking up with experts from many different agencies around the state. This workshop will help start-up and more established companies determine the kind of help they really need, and make sense of the many agencies that can help them grow and prosper. Debbie Neuman, Director, Target Information Technology Incubator

3:30 - 4:30 p.m. 
Homeland Security Research and Support Services at the University of Maine

The University of Maine has many valuable resources, including faculty expertise and state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, to help companies develop and commercialize their products and services. Dr. George Markowsky will moderate a panel of UMaine faculty members who will describe research and and facilities pertaining to homeland security. Dr. Robert J. Lad, Director of the Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology, and Dr. Habib J. Dagher, Director of the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center, will be among the panel participants. Current University of Maine research programs related to homeland security range from advanced materials to novel sensing platforms to mobile computing tools. This session will be valuable to all companies interested in homeland security, regardless of company size or geographic location. Some of the University of Maine's homeland security resources can be accessed at: http://homeland.maine.edu. George Markowsky, Professor and Chair of Computer Science, University of Maine; Founder and Director, Homeland Security Laboratory, University of Maine; President and CEO, Trefoil, Inc. and Ayers Island, LLC

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