Built around the theme of "Cracking 21st Century Markets," the fifth annual Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference will celebrate the state's emerging high-growth economy and feature a line-up of nationally known speakers, panelists and workshops.

A core sponsor of the conference is the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. Other sponsors thus far include: Aberdean Consulting, Amcore Bank, American Transmission Company, AT&T, Baird Venture Partners, Cleantech Partners, First Weber Group, Flad & Associates, Foley & Lardner, Godfrey & Kahn, Grant Thornton, Makin' Hey! Communications, Madison Gas & Electric Co., Marshfield Clinic Applied Sciences, Matador Consulting, Michael Best & Friedrich, Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, Park Printing, Quarles & Brady, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, Rockwell Automation, The Business Journal, Third Wave Technologies, University Research Park, U.S. Patent Services, UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations, UW-Whitewater Center for Innovation & Business Development/Wisconsin Innovation Service Center, Venture Investors, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), We Energies, Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network, Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority (WHEFA), Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek, Wisconsin Angel Network, Wisconsin Technology Network and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
To become a sponsor, call 608-442-7557.

Didn't make it to 2007 BIO convention in Boston? Follow the activities of Wisconsin's delegation at the event by reading the "Wisconsin BIO Blog," presented by WisBusiness.com and the Tech Council.

The blog includes convention coverage, interviews, and video feeds concerning Wisconsin participants in the annual convention. It also includes background information from the Wisconsin Technology Council on Wisconsin's growing biotech and medical devices industries.

Other blog features include links to video presentations by Wisconsin companies conducted in Wisconsin's "BIO Theater." Presenters include: Gala Biotech, Platypus Technologies, Stemina Biomarker Discovery, Inc., Caden Biosciences, GE Healthcare, Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, SAFC, Marshfield Clinic, and Gov. Jim Doyle along with UW-Madison researcher Yoshihiro Kawaoka and former U.S. ambassador Tom Loftus, Quincy Bioscience, EraGen Biosciences, Gilson Inc. and Mithridion, Covance Laboratories, Medical College of Wisconsin Research Foundation

Twenty-six entries from 16 communities are competing in the finalist round of the fourth annual Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest, contest producers announced Wednesday.

A new consortium was unveiled at a recent Wisconsin Innovation Network - Madison meeting. Called the Wisconsin Security Research Consortium (WSRC), this organization plans to help Wisconsin researchers capture defense and classified research dollars.

• There are about 22,000 workers in biotech or medical device companies statewide according to the Wisconsin Association for Biomedical Research and Education.

Reader Poll is the newest feature of the WIN eNewsletter! Share your thoughts by voting and view the responses of others.

Reader Poll question of the month:

Based on what you know, does the state of Wisconsin do a good job of supporting tech-based economic development?

Make Mine a $Million Business Conference,
May 21, Madison
Features growth-focused workshops for women on finance, technology and law and offers expert coaching from local and national corporate sponsors and Wisconsin non-profits.

3rd Annual Northeast Wisconsin Entrepreneur Networking Day,
June 5, Appleton
Hundreds of entrepreneurs from throughout the New North will connect, learn and share business successes. The day features networking opportunities and a keynote address from author Steven S. Little.

Deal Syndication Workshop at the 2007 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference, hosted by the Wisconsin Angel Network
June 12, Milwaukee
This investor-only workshop will feature an overview of deal syndication "flavors" and best practices by angel guru, John May, frank discussion and plenty of time for networking.

2007 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Conference,
June 12-13, Milwaukee
This one-and-a-half day conference is designed to be a short course in the tactical strategies necessary to navigate the inevitable pitfalls and roadblocks of starting a business.

Food Processing Expo and Conference,
June 21, Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville
Food processors are invited to exhibit along with providers of related goods and services. All are welcome to attend!

Wisconsin Technology Council Board of Directors meeting,
July 10, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., GE Health Care Technologies, Waukesha; Requests to host a future meeting may be directed to Andrea Johnson at ajohnson@wisconsintechnologycouncil.com

Advances in Therapeutic Discovery and Drug Development:
Preclinical Cell-Based Therapy Research,
August 15-17, Augusta, MI
Research summit presented by MPI Research and WiCell Research Institute.

Joining your local Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) Chapter offers networking connections with a variety of industries and professionals in high tech, law, banking, government, public relations, manufacturing, and local entrepreneurs. Your next client/customer/partner is only "six degrees of separation" away.

Click here to join your local WIN Chapter or to learn more about us.