NNDA's annual expo features speakers and exhibits

Speakers at the Business and Tech Expo, sponsored by the Northern Nevada Development Authority this week, will address business issues ranging from financing to software innovation.

The event runs from 10 a.m.

to 6 p.m.

Thursday at the Nevada Appeal office at 580 Mallory Way in Carson City.

The exhibition area will host 75 vendors, says Judi Bishop, NNDA's director of regional development.

More than half are repeat exhibitors from last year.

Last year, about 800 people attended the event.

A series of workshops will address business issues.

A panel moderated by Sheri Elpern of SQI, Inc., will spotlight the battle between Microsoft and open-source or free business software.

Open-source software eliminates both the high purchase price and the need to employ an expert to keep it running, says Elpern.

But the United States lags behind countries in Europe and South America, some of which mandate the use of open formats.

"The whole idea is that there shouldn't be ownership of access to information," she says.

Her goal is to remove the obstacle to riding the new wave, what she calls the FUD factor fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Finding free money is the topic of tagteam speakers Fritz Groupe, a professor retired from the University of Nevada, Reno, and Kathy Halbardier of the UNR Small Business Development Center.

Ten federal agencies stand ready to hand out research dollars to companies wanting to fund innovative research, feasibility studies and prototype development, says Halbardier.

Got an idea and not much else? Not a problem; her job is to counsel companies on how to proceed.

The big dollars aren't just for the big players, either.

"I've had small operations receive funding," she says.

Gadgets needn't gouge the budget, says John Endter, president of E Squared Cs, speaking on the topic: Big IT on a small IT budget.

Rafael Capucci, president of Vision ASP, Inc.

will speak on Internet marketing, while Ron Baker, president of JFG Systems, Inc.

will address computer security.

Economist John Mitchell of U.S.

Bancorp in Oregon delivers the keynote presentation on the prospects and risks of doing business in northern Nevada.

To view the full agenda or to register for a complimentary ticket, go to www.nnda.org.

Admission is $10 at the door.