Schedule

Attendee Check-in at Registration Desk

Speed Networking

This networking opportunity has become an annual kick-off event for the Ed Tech Business Forum. Attendees participate in a rapid-fire, but highly structured meet-and-greet. Share your networking objectives and make quick connections with business prospects for further conversations during the conference.

Sponsored and hosted by Academic Business Advisors

Innovation Incubator Business Profiles Presentations

Hear the 11 participants of SIIA's Innovation Incubator Program that were selected from a field of 29 applicants.  They will each give a short introduction to their innovative idea, product or service that might be a solution that fits your partnership, acquisition or investment plans. 

After the presentations, attendees will vote for the Most Innovative and the Most Likely to Succeed. Those with the highest scores will present the next day for the final award selection process.

Lead Innovation Incubator Program Sponsor Blackboard Partnerships; Co-Sponsors BLEgroup, GlobalScholar, Intel, and Texthelp Systems

Innovation Showcase and Welcome Reception

Meet your colleagues and the SIIA Innovation Incubator participants at this opening reception. R&D entities and pre-revenue companies will showcase innovative learning solutions they've developed for the K-12 and postsecondary markets. Especially useful for first-time attendees for meeting the seasoned execs and for all attendees to catch up with colleagues

Sponsored by GlobalScholar

Breakfast and Networking

Sponsored by Bert Davis Executive Search

Attendee Check-in at Registration Desk

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Welcome Remarks by Karen Billings, VP Education Division, SIIA

Conference Overview on Doing Business in the New Normal by Host Sponsor: John Bower, Chief Executive Officer, uBoost

Introductions by Program Co-chair: Jeffrey Fromm, Partner, Corporate and Transactions Group, Dorsey & Whitney 

American Revolution 2.0 : How Innovation is Transforming Education

In the ‘new normal’, innovation will play an increasingly larger role for the economy, technology, and business. What will drive that innovation and what does it mean for all education stakeholders and especially the education technology providers?

Keynote:

Michael Moe, Co-Founder, GSV Asset Management and GSV Advisors

Reactor:

Mr. Harold Levy, Managing Director, Palm Ventures

The New Normal for Ed Tech Customers

What does the 'new normal' mean to educators in US school districts and higher ed institutions?  The SIIA Education Division's Voice of the Educator Working Group surveyed educators to find the characteristics that define the new normal, their biggest challenges during this time, and their 'must have' instructional acquisitions.

Sponsored and introduced by MMS Education

Co-Presenter:

Farimah Schuerman, Managing Partner, Academic Business Advisors, LLC

Steve Siegel, VP, Strategic Planning & Partnerships, Follett Software Company

The New Normal For Technology

What are the technology trends that will impact K-12 and postsecondary education in the upcoming years. Learn about the advances and changes in technology that are going to affect education customers and the ed tech providers.  How can the industry support education customers and companies to shape technology use in the new normal?

Sponsored and Introduced by eGenio

Facilitator:

Frank Catalano, Principal, Intrinsic Strategy

Presenter:

Cameron Evans, US Education Chief Technology Officer, Microsoft Corporation

Networking and Refreshment Break

Sponsored by Bert Davis Executive Search

US Market Survey Results

SIIA surveyed companies that sell ed tech products and services in the US PK-12 market.  Find out what we learned about the sizing of that market in 2010 and what the plans are for the 2011 surveys for PK-12 and Higher Ed markets.

Presenter:

John Richards, President, Consulting Services for Education

The New Normal Economy - Two Year Later

Two years ago, Dr. Sims gave a sobering presentation, predicting the economic trends that would affect education budgets in the near future. He's back this year to give Forum attendees an update on these forecasts.  Hear his predictions on the economy and how it will affect education budgets for some years to come. 

Session introduced by Host Sponsor: Crystal Jones, Manager, Corporate & Strategic Relationships, Business & IT Markets, American Public University 

Presenter:

Dr. Richard Sims, Chief Economist, National Education Association

Reactor:

Dr. Terry Crane, Board of Directors, Tutor.com

The New Normal of Digital Learning

How does the 'new normal’ in education, technology, and the economy change learning in a growing digital world? Governor Wise currently cochairs the Digital Learning Council, convened with Governor Jeb Bush to develop the roadmap to integrate current and future technological innovations into public education. Hear how a diverse group of leaders from education, government, philanthropy, business, technology and think tanks are developing policy actions for local, state and federal lawmakers and policymakers to advance digital learning.

Introduced by Ken Wasch, President, SIIA

Keynote:

Bob Wise, President, Alliance for Excellent Education

Lunch and Innovation Incubator Finalist Demonstrations

Enjoy this networking lunch with your colleagues.

During this time, you will see demonstrations by the Incubator finalists who make the first cut after the previous night's round of voting. Then vote for the ed tech product or service that is "Most Innovative" and "Most Likely to Succeed" - and catch the award presentation at the closing session of the conference

Sponsored by Bert Davis Executive Search

Customer Needs: Is Education Reaching a Digital Tipping Point?

While in some ways, the classroom learning experience is like it was 100 years ago, there is clearly an acceleration of technology access and e-learning adoption. Enhanced computer/student ratios, broadband internet access, mobile computing and social networking have enabled extraordinary changes in the learning experience. This panel will feature educators and vendors. During this session, we'll explore the variety and pace of these changes and their likely impact on teaching and learning from the educator's perspective.

Moderator:

Bruce Wilcox, Director, Education Technology, Carolina Science Online

Panelists:

Kathleen Brantley, Director EdNET Insight Operations, Market Data Retrieval (MDR)

LaVerne Srinivasan, President, North America, Time To Know

Thomas Whitby, Adjunct Professor/Consultant, St. Joseph's College

Funding Growth with Equity: Raising Capital and Your Company Valuation

This session will show you how to maximize your valuation to secure outside investment at each stage of the company life-cycle, from development/pre-revenue and early revenue, to cash flow positive and rapid growth. For each stage, you will learn which investors to target, the key benchmarks they want to see and the valuation criteria they will use.

Moderator:

Kevin Custer, Founding Principal, Arc Capital Development

Panelists:

Sergio Monsalve, Principal, Norwest Venture Partners

Jason Palmer, Senior Vice President, Kaplan Ventures

Going International: Harness the Globalization of Education

There's a growing market for ed tech products world wide. Come to this session to learn the risks and rewards of expanding globally. Hear how global partnerships can enhance a product line, amplify a business strategy, and increase revenue and profits.

Moderator:

Mike Patterson, CEO, Avant Assessment

Panelists:

Houssam Amer, Vice President, North America, ITWorx

One-to-One Business Connections Meetings

SIIA's One-to-One Business Connections program facilitates pre-scheduled meetings between ed tech companies seeking revenue, distribution, and strategic partnership opportunities. Presenting companies gauge licensing and distribution opportunities for their products and services. Listening companies discover new products or companies with business models that fit their strategic relationship needs, and discuss content and technology licensing possibilities with potential partners.

Registration is required. Onsite requests to participate will not be accepted.

Sponsored and hosted by Educational Systemics

Meet the Authors of SIIA Publications

This interactive session is your chance to learn about SIIA's newest publications and speak to the authors who wrote them. Hear the highlights, participate in the Q&A, and meet the brains behind the SIIA 2011 must-read list:

• Pre-K-12 Market Report
• Social Media Marketing in Education
• The Experts' Guide to the Postsecondary Market
• SIIA Guide to E-Rate
• 2011 SIIA Vision K-20 Survey Results Report
• Conducting & Reporting Product Evaluation Research

The Winds of Change with Assessments: Finding the Flexibility to Adapt Without Losing Your Roots

The education business is impacted by numerous factors outside the control of either suppliers or educators. A key change could occur with the implementation of the Common Core Standards and the related assessments. Educational and political factors cause learning goals and needs to change frequently, sometimes like a pendulum and sometimes as evolution. Join this session to discuss how your company can understand and keep pace with the change.

Moderator:

Mark Schneiderman, Senior Director, Education Policy, SIIA

Panelists:

Matt Doherty, President, Academic Benchmarks

Mark Heidorn, Executive Director, CTB/McGraw-Hill

Anne LaTarte, Executive Director, Assessment Portfolio, New York City Department of Education

Considering an Exit: Make Sure Your Company is Ready

Whether you are considering selling all or part of your company, getting the maximum value doesn't count until the deal is closed.  In this session you will learn strategies to enhance your company's attractiveness to potential buyers, reduce the odds of an unexpected 'hitch' in the deal, manage employee expectations and morale, and drive economic value for your shareholders.

Moderator:

Robin Warner, Managing Director, DeSilva + Phillips, LLC

Panelists:

Stuart Udell, President and CEO, Catapult Learning, LLC

Presenter:

Adam Hall, President, SkillsTutor

Doing Business in the Cloud: How Not To Be a Drip in the Cloud

Todd Brekhus, President, Digital Solutions, Capstone Digital

Moderator:

Steve Nordmark, Chief Academic Officer, Knovation (formerly netTrekker)

Presenter:

Michael Johnson, President Chief Potential Officer, Full Potential Associates

The Education Technology Ecosystem: Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way

Many education entrepreneurs believe that technology innovation will occur mainly outside of the traditional publishers, but view the large publishers as likely acquirers of successful technology companies. This session will delve into where and how ed-tech solution providers fit relative to the big publishers, and how educational content publishers (core and supplemental), technology platforms, hardware and software companies , etc. – can and should better collaborate to successfully meet new customer expectations.

Moderator:

Jeffrey Mathews, VP, Corporate Strategy, Business Development & Investor Relations, Scholastic, Inc.

Panelists:

Mr. Michael Golden, CEO, Next Generation Learning, Educurious

Judah Karkowsky, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Wireless Generation

D. Midian Kurland, SVP, Technology & Development, Scholastic Education

Mehdi Maghsoodnia, CEO, BookRenter.com

Being the Acquirer: Growth Through Merger or Acquisition

Sometimes 1 + 1 can equal 3 when companies effectively leverage mergers and acquisitions to facilitate growth. Session participants will learn the most critical things to consider when acquiring or merging with other companies. They'll also learn the pros and cons of mergers of equals and acquisitions of smaller companies, the trials and tribulations of post-acquisition integration, and ways to make the deal drive value for your company.

Moderator:

Jeffrey Fromm, Partner, Corporate & Transactions Group, Dorsey and Whitney, LLP

Panelists:

Robert Iskander, CEO, EduTone

Chad Johnson, Managing Director, Cherry Tree & Associates, LLC

Follow the Money...Expand Your Product's Value to Capture the Special Needs Market

IDEA special education and Section 508 bring opportunities, not just challenges. Learn how universally designing your products can not only help you meet the needs of special needs learners, but also provide more personalized and valuable learning for all students. This session will explore what funding is available, the opportunities  mobile and online learning bring, and how companies can structure their development process and business models to meet accessibility and special needs requirements, while also enhancing their product value in the general education market.

Moderator:

Jennifer House, Ph.D., President, RedRock Reports

Panelists:

Betsy Beaumon, VP and GM, Literacy Program, Benetech, Benetech / Bookshare

Mr. Bill DeBacker, Director of Business Development, PCI Education Publishing

Matthew Hausmann, Director of Sales & Marketing, Education Americas, DynaVox Mayer-Johnson

Closing Session and Innovation Awards

Join us for closing remarks, new assessment ideas, and presentation of the Innovation Incubator Awards.

Conference summary by Host Sponsor:  David Samuelson, Executive VP, Director Of Games & Augmented Reality, Pearson

Intriguing assessment ideas:  Michael Jay, President and CEO, Educational Systemics

Presentation of Innovation Incubator Awards: Karen Billings, Vice President, Education Division, SIIA, and Lead Innovation Incubator Sponsor Ted Hopper, Vice President, Business Development, Blackboard, Inc

Co-Sponsors BLEgroup, GlobalScholar, Intel, and Texthelp Systems

Final thank you: Kevin Custer, Founding Principal, Arc Capital Development

Presenter:

Michael Jay, President, Educational Systemics

Closing Reception