The 2010 Forward Technology Conference represents the summer's best opportunity to spend a day networking with some of the area's top entrepreneurs and hearing from experts on a wide range of topics relevant to your technology business. Whether you're thinking about launching a startup business or you're an experienced entrepreneur, you'll find this conference relevant and insightful.

Conference Schedule

Location: Memorial Union, 4th Floor, Class of 24 Reception Room

9:00 am - Registration opens

9:15 am  - Continental breakfast and networking

10:00 am - Conference kick-off: Brief (very brief, we promise) remarks from the conference organizers.

10:05 am - Startups 101

Moderator: Bryan Chan, President and Founder SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Panelist: Roy Elkins, Founder and CEO Broadjam.com

Panelist: Greg Tracy, Co-Founder Sharendipity

Panelist: Dan Voell, Co-Founder GoBuzz.com

Panelist: Chad Sorenson, Founder and CEO Sologear, LLC

A panel discussion with Madison-area entrepreneurs with businesses at different stages of development. Hear what's working and what's not in today's market. Your questions and participation are encouraged.

11:00 am - All About LLCs

Moderator: Matthew Younkle, President Y Innovation, LLC

Panelist: Joe Boucher, Co-Founder and Partner Neider & Boucher, S.C.

Panelist: Kevin Kelbel, Partner Smith & Gesteland LLP

Finally learn about the in's and out's of Limited Liability Companies. We'll have an attorney and a CPA on the stage together to set the record straight, and you won't have to worry about any hourly billing.

12 noon - Lunch break (lunch not provided)

1:00 pm - Unconference

Facilitator: Nate Lustig, Co-Founder Entrustet

Here is where the attendees become the presenters! Come with topics to discuss and ideas to share. We'll poll you and the other attendees for hot topics, and split off into four or five groups based on interest.

2:00 pm - Branding and Identity Panel

Moderator: Dan Merfeld, Founder TheoryThree Interactive, LLC

Panelist: John Besmer, Principal Planet Propaganda

Panelist: Wesley Grubbs, Founder Pitch Interactive

Panelist: Andy Wallman, President Knupp & Watson & Wallman

Panelist: Gage Mitchell, Founder Gage Mitchell Design

Learn about what to look for in choosing a good graphic designer, hear about relevant design trends, and learn about different identity philosophies from some of the area's top design minds.

3:00 pm - Ice cream break

Sponsored by:

Build a custom sundae for that all-important afternoon sugar high going into the Pitch Your Biz session.

3:30 pm - Pitch Your Biz

Moderator: Laurie Benson, Co-Founder Inacom Information Systems

Biz-Pitcher: Heidi Allstop, Founder Student Spill

Biz-Pitcher: Justin Beck, Co-Founder PerBlue

Biz-Pitcher: Derek Swoboda, Founder Links Golf Cafe

Biz-Pitcher: Joseph Beck, Founder Loacsys

Biz-Pitcher: Mudit Tyagi, Founder OpenADC

Here's your chance to pitch your new biz or big idea in front of your peers for some no-holds-barred feedback. Biz-pitchers will have exactly 5 minutes to sell the audience on their concept. After that, the floor is opened for feedback, compliments, and criticisms.

4:30 pm - Keynote Speech

Keynote introduction: Bob Vanden Burgt, Principal Yahara Software

Keynote speaker: Fred Foster, CEO Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.

Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) is the world's leading manufacturer of entertainment and architectural lighting systems. Founded by Fred and his brother in the basement of a Madison apartment in 1975, ETC has grown into one of the most successful companies in the Madison area with more than 700 employees in ten offices around the world. Fred's stories promise to be insightful and inspiring.

Evening Reception - 6 pm

Forward Technology Festival Presenting Sponsor:

Location: Memorial Union, Union Theater Deck

The Memorial Union Terrace is second to none as a summer venue for a party. We've booked some prime outdoor space overlooking the Terrace for a fun networking event that will bring together conference attendees and other participants in the week-long Forward Technology Festival. Enjoy appetizers and beer while they last, with a cash bar available for any desired additional indulgence. Plus, Pat McCurdy will be on the Terrace stage for your listening enjoyment.

Contact us for more information, and follow us on Twitter: @fwdtech