Venture Capital and Innovation Experts to Give Keynote Addresses at WBT2011

							Venture Capital and Innovation Experts to Give
Keynote Addresses at WBT2011
WBT2011
March 01, 2011 06:03 AM Eastern Time 

ARLINGTON, Texas--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--WBT Innovation Marketplace announced today that its
ninth annual event will feature keynotes by noted venture funding and innovation experts Mark G. Heesen, president
of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and Francis Béland, vice president of prize development of X 
PRIZE Foundation.

WBT2011 is a forum offering a prescreened, pre-prepped collection of undiscovered companies and intellectual
property emanating from top universities, labs and research institutions from across the country. The event will be
held March 22 and 23 at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel and the Arlington Convention Center.

Heesen will keynote the WBT Marketplace Opening Luncheon on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. He will share
powerful insights into venture capital trends, and how they can present opportunities and challenges for both
entrepreneurs and investors.

“I’m enthusiastic about speaking at WBT Innovation Marketplace, which is regarded as one of the most important
gatherings of its kind,” said Heesen. “The conference promises to attract a strong and diverse collection of
entrepreneurs and investors and I look forward to discussing the state of the venture capital industry and the future of
innovation in the U.S.” 

Béland’s keynote, which will take place at the WBT Awards Dinner on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, will cover
prizes as a catalytic in the creation of a new economic development paradigm.

“The X PRIZE Foundation is honored to present at the WBT2011,” said Béland. “The funding of sustainable
innovation is at the heart of all X PRIZES. I am looking forward to sharing our latest development in creative
innovation and how we are tackling large scale societal grand challenges.” 

Paul Huleatt, CEO, WBT Innovation Marketplace, said, “We are eager to open WBT2011 with a keynote of
Mark’s wisdom and vision. His unique perspective in working with venture capital firms from across the nation will
be appreciated and valued by WBT attendees. We are equally as enthusiastic to hear Francis as he closes this year’s
event. His history of furthering commercial creativity around the globe through his work as a large-scale project
design and innovation expert will be a most appropriate send off.” 

WBT2011 will feature two full days of content-rich sessions, an exhibitor showcase, and inspiring speakers.
Panelists, venture capitalists, and Fortune 1000 licensing scouts will seek to answer some tough questions on today’s
business models, covering issues key to entrepreneurs and emerging technologies.

WBT2011 presented by Lockheed Martin is sponsored by Business Wire, Penman PR, Cimarron Capital Partners,
Wellspring Worldwide, Arlington Texas, SNSF Railway, Energy Innovation Portal, EZN, Texas Technology
University Office of Technology Commercialization, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, Greater Irving Las Colinas
Chamber of Commerce, Texas Health Research and Education, LES, NASVF, NineSigma, Research Texas,
MRUN and Erin Regional Development Alliance and Technology Transfer Tactics.
About WBT Innovation Marketplace

The WBT Innovation Marketplace is the world’s premier showcase converging revolutionary new energy, life
science, nanotech, material science and information technologies to seed limitless solutions for current market needs.
To register to attend visit, www.wbtshowcase.com.

Contacts
Penman PR
Patti D. Hill
512-218-0401
patti@penmanpr.com

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