Saturday, February 12, 2011

Representative Conklin Joins List of Speakers at BioEnergy Summit

Rep. H. Scott Conklin (77th Legislative District-Centre County) will deliver the opening remarks at the BioEnergy Summit set for March 15, 2011 at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in PA.

Harrisburg, PA, February 13, 2011 -- Rep. H. Scott Conklin (77th Legislative District-Centre County) will deliver the opening remarks at the BioEnergy Summit set for March 15, 2011 at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in PA.

In the state House, Rep. Conklin serves on the committees of Environmental Resources and Energy, where he is majority secretary; Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Appropriations; and Education. He is vice chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, and is a member of the Lupus and Alzheimer's Awareness caucuses.

With its theme of Innovative Technologies for an Energized Future!, the Summit will explore innovative nanotechnologies for bioenergy production and technologies for producing energy from wastewater. Additionally, the commercialization of technologies and processes used to produce bioenergy from a variety of biomass resources also highlights this half-day program.

Sponsors of the event include OriginOil, the Lehigh Nanotechnology Network and Lehigh University.

The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. William Goldner of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). He will give an overview of the strategic thinking and programs USDA NIFA and other USDA agencies are using to address the sustainable production of biofuels, biopower, and biobased products. The programs include: regional systems-oriented programs that integrate research, education, and extension/outreach/ technology transfer; pre-commercialization R&D for small businesses; and grant and loan guarantee programs for demonstration and commercialization.

Dr. Goldner will provide some examples of how businesses may use these programs to take part in this important renewable energy sector. He will discuss the need to include emerging technologies such as nanotechnology and waste water management in developing bioenergy and the need for a thoughtful integrated approach to grow bioenergy, water quality and availability management systems, and perhaps other emerging energy resources (e.g. natural gas) in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region without disrupting existing agricultural systems, natural resources, and rural communities.

The closing speaker is Daniel J. Desmond, former Deputy Secretary for the Office of Energy and Technology Deployment at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and now a partner in Peregrine Technology Partners, a Pennsylvania firm started in late 2008 that works on development and commercial deployment of environmentally beneficial technology.

Desmond served the Commonwealth for nearly two decades and helped guide the growth of Pennsylvania's renewable energy industry. He joined the Pennsylvania Energy Office in 1983 and served as its executive director until its merger with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 1995. From April 1995 until his appointment as DEP deputy secretary for energy and technology deployment in 2003, he chaired the Pennsylvania Energy Resources Center, an advocacy and public education initiative to secure funding for renewable energy in the aftermath of utility deregulation. He also served as president of Sustainable Systems Research, a Lancaster-based firm specializing in the development and commercialization of environmentally beneficial technology. In his position as DEP deputy secretary, Desmond was responsible for fostering the deployment and use of innovative environmental and advanced energy technologies, including renewable energy. DEP's Office of Energy and Technology Deployment works with citizens groups, businesses, trade organizations, local governments, and communities to help them understand and adopt pollution prevention and energy efficient practices.

Roundtable discussions will examine the business opportunities that can be cultivated, why sustainable energy solutions are as good for business as they are for the environment, and the importance of obtaining financial support to the commercialization process. Scientists, government officials, entrepreneurs and investors will discuss promising research, successful ventures, overcoming commercialization challenges and market-driven opportunities.

The program is set to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $35. More information is found online at http://www.HarrisburgU.edu/BioEnergySummit For additional information, email BioEnergy@HarrisburgU.edu or call Dr. Leena Pattarkine at 717.901.5168.

Harrisburg University is located at 326 Market Street in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Parking Authority operates a garage accessible via Fourth Street. Cost for parking in the garage is $5.00 for 0-2 hours. Kiosk for parking accepts cash only. More information on parking rates and directions to the University are found online at http://www.harrisburgu.net/campuslife/directions.php#parking

Founded in 2001 to address Central Pennsylvania’s need for increased opportunities for study leading to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Harrisburg University is an innovative and ambitious private institution that produces graduates who provide increased competence and capacity in science and technology disciplines to Pennsylvania and the nation. Harrisburg University ensures institutional access for underrepresented students and links learning and research to practical outcomes. As a private University serving the public good, Harrisburg University remains the only STEM-focused comprehensive university located between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

For more information on the University's demand-driven undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in applied science and technology fields, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu.

Contact:
Steve Infanti
HU Communications
326 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717.901.5146

BarCamp Harrisburg to Feature Tracks on Mobile App Development & Web Technology for Education

BarCamp Harrisburg is set for April 9, 2011 at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.

Harrisburg, PA, February 14, 2011 -- BarCamp Harrisburg is set for April 9, 2011 at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. The topics for this year’s BarCamp Harrisburg are the Web with tracks on education and technology, and mobile apps.

BarCamp Harrisburg 3 is a free, ad-hoc unconference filled with open, participatory events, discussions, and workshops where presentation content is provided by the participants rather than chosen speakers.

Entry is free but limited to the first 150 signups. For information on registering or to become a sponsor, visit online at http://www.barcamphbg.org/ . Questions can be directed via email to sayhi@barcamphbg.org

Attendees arrive around 9-10 am, have breakfast, network, and post topics they would like to discuss on a schedule board (we’ll have markers and a whiteboard available to post topics). Following a brief kick-off meeting with the entire group, the day will consist of sessions broken down into 45-minute blocks. Sessions can be discussions, workshops, or presentation–it’s up to you! There will be a break for lunch, followed by afternoon sessions that will run until around 5 pm.

BarCamp Harrisburg 3 is organized by Hauck Interactive and Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Sponsors include Fusionized Technology and MudBrick Creative.

Past sessions at BarCamp Harrisburg have included Building a site using the Gaia Flash Framework; Flash vs. HTML5; Social Media; Open source content management systems; Developing Desktop Applications using AIR; Developing Android Applications; Yahoo! Query Language; How to use SVN with Web projects; Top Photoshop Tricks; Top WordPress and Drupal plugins; Application Performance & Scaling; Best Security Practices; Unix Command Line Productivity Tips; and Applying User Interface Design to Source Code.

The first BarCamp took place in 2005, and since that time BarCamps have been held in over 350 cities all over the world. BarCamp originated as a response to Foo Camp, which was an invitation-only conference. Both conferences are a play on the terms foo, bar, and foobar, which are common placeholder/variable names used by hackers and computer programmers.

You can literally take planes, trains and automobiles to BarCamp Harrisburg. The University’s location in downtown Harrisburg is near Interstates 83 and 81 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, making it an easy drive to the University from any of Pennsylvania’s major cities. And it’s only a two-hour drive from the University to Baltimore, Washington, DC or Philadelphia. The Amtrak Passenger Train Station and Greyhound Bus Station are one block from our location. And the Harrisburg International Airport is only nine miles from the University.http://www.harrisburgu.edu/campuslife/directions.php

Harrisburg University is located at 326 Market Street in Harrisburg. Free parking is available on the street. Additionally, parking is available in the Harrisburg Parking Authority operated garage accessible via Fourth Street. Cost for parking in the garage is $4.00 for 0-2 hours. Kiosk for parking accepts cash only. More information on parking rates and directions to the University are found online at http://www.harrisburgu.net/campuslife/directions.php#parking

Founded in 2001 to address Central Pennsylvania’s need for increased opportunities for study leading to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Harrisburg University is an innovative and ambitious private institution that produces graduates who provide increased competence and capacity in science and technology disciplines to Pennsylvania and the nation. Harrisburg University ensures institutional access for underrepresented students and links learning and research to practical outcomes. As a private University serving the public good, Harrisburg University remains the only STEM-focused comprehensive university located between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

For more information on the University's demand-driven undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in applied science and technology fields, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu.

Contact:
Steven Infanti
HU Communications
326 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717.901.5146

Can an Expert in Business Performance Make You into a Valentine's Day Hero? You Be the Judge

New York Times bestselling author and performance expert Tom Connellan says the real key to the ultimate in romance and relationships is doing the little things right, every single day - not just once a year.

Ann Arbor, MI, February 13, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- "It's so sad," says New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned performance expert Tom Connellan. "Each year you can see untold millions of men scrambling at the last minute to do something romantic - a bouquet of obligatory roses, a box of heart shaped chocolates or reservations at one of the popular, but invariably, hectic local restaurants."

"It's like lemmings jumping off the cliff into the sea," he says.

His new book, The 1% Solution for Work and Life ( http://www.TomConnellan.com/tomconnellanbooks.html ), explains why the exact same skills and actions that create Olympic gold medal winners are what create exceptional relationships, the most memorable experiences, and the ecstasy that can only be found in love. The real key to the ultimate in romance and relationships is doing the little things right.

Achieving happiness in a personal relationship means learning to treat loved ones better every single day - not just once a year.

"The real key," he says,"is improving what you do as a caring partner each and every day."

Sure, delicious mouth-watering, aphrodisiac-laden presents are nice and are appreciated once in a while, but what really matters most is being the best partner possible on a daily basis.

Connellan says it's not hard for people to identify ways they can make small improvements in their relationships with the people they love. The hard part is simply remembering and staying devoted to doing the things that matter. Here are some ideas which illustrate what actions to take:

* Ask your partner. In order to really hit the mark, ask. Simply say, "What can I do today to help you?" - at least once a day.

* Pick one thing that your partner wants you to change and stick with that change for 30 days. It might be something as simple as asking her how her day went, appreciating things she does, acknowledging her for who she is, listening more, putting the toilet seat down, considering the possibility that maybe she also knows how to use the remote, or to stop picking your nose - at least when she's in the room.

* Take the first step right away. Whatever it is, start it immediately. There's no way, for example, to suddenly become organized, clean and tidy overnight. But try committing to cleaning up one tiny little area of the house every day. In 30 days the difference will be obvious, and in 90 days the whole house has been cleaned for the first time in years.

Realize that when you make a change - however small - you are making an improvement. It may feel incredibly awkward and uncomfortable. But at about the 21st day, that feeling goes away and that's when the new good habit gets locked in.

By adopting this approach every day, the difference can be very significant because when love dies, it's seldom about the elephant bites, it's almost always about the mosquito bites - the little everyday things.

The 1% Solution for Work and Life is chock full of simple, easy to understand tools and techniques that teach everyone how to make a difference in both work life and personal life.

About The 1% Solution:
The 1% Solution for Work and Life gives readers a structure that works because it's based not upon opinion but upon research, testing, and application. The 1% Solution for Work and Life delivers page after page of tools to use right now. By establishing the habit of incremental change and improvement, readers can take stock of where they are right now in life, and put in place a plan that gently but firmly guides them, day by day, to take the actions that will lead them where they want to go. Priced at $19.95, The 1% Solution for Work and Life is available from Amazon.com ( http://www.amazon.com/1%25-Solution-Work-Life-Make/dp/0976950626/ ) and other online book retailers, or can be ordered through any local bookstore.

About Tom Connellan:
Tom Connellan ( http://www.TomConnellan.com/ ) is a New York Times Bestselling author and is highly sought after keynote speaker whose North American clients include FedEx, Canadian Tire, Marriott, Neiman Marcus, Dell, Sony, Rogers Communications, Sobeys, TD Canada Trust, Tim Hortons, Home Depot and the military. Selling Power Magazine labeled him one of seven "tough talking and truth telling" keynote speakers because he always delivers actionable ideas. In his previous books, Inside the Magic Kingdom: Seven Keys to Disney's Success and Turbulent Times Leadership for Sales Managers: How the Very Best Boost Sales Connellan shared his insights into building a successful business. With The 1% Solution for Work and Life, he makes his success principles accessible to everyone.

For information on Connellan's schedule and availability, call 734-428-1580, visit http://www.TomConnellan.com/ or write to: Karen Revill, Program Manager, 1163 South Main Street Suite 306, Chelsea, MI 48118

Please contact http://www.PressReleasePivot.com for corrections or to update this press release.

Contact:
Karen Revill
Program Manager
The Connellan Group Inc.
1163 South Main Street
Suite 306
Chelsea, MI 48118
dlock@gmail.com
http://www.TomConnellan.com/

Additional Sponsors Announced for 2011 BioEnergy Summit in Harrisburg

Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania has announced three additional sponsors for the 2011 BioEnergy Summit, set for March 15, 2011.

Harrisburg, PA, February 13, 2011 -- Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania has announced three additional sponsors for the 2011 BioEnergy Summit, set for March 15, 2011.

The Energy Commercialization Institute and The Nanotechnology Institute are Platinum Sponsors for the event. Enginuity Energy, LLC is now a Gold Sponsor of the event.

With its theme of Innovative Technologies for an Energized Future!, the Summit will explore innovative nanotechnologies for bioenergy production and technologies for producing energy from wastewater. Additionally, the commercialization of technologies and processes used to produce bioenergy from a variety of biomass resources also highlights this half-day program. Roundtable discussions will examine the business opportunities that can be cultivated, why sustainable energy solutions are as good for business as they are for the environment, and the importance of obtaining financial support to the commercialization process. Scientists, government officials, entrepreneurs and investors will discuss promising research, successful ventures, overcoming commercialization challenges and market-driven opportunities.

The Energy Commercialization Institute (ECI) is the Southeast PA region’s first partnership accelerating alternative energy and clean technology development and commercialization, through translational research and sponsored research funding. ECI is focusing on high-impact energy generation, transportation and conservation. ECI pools intellectual property from participating institutions, providing dedicated technology transfer services with expertise to promote energy commercialization. It offers corporations a single point of negotiation for IP licensing, independent of the number of institutions with ownership of that IP. The ECI is funded with a two-year, $1.2 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, managed by BFTP/SEP.

The NTI is the Southeast PA region’s first partnership created to be a catalyst for nanotechnology development, commercialization and company formation. Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel University created the NTI in 2000. The NTI has helped produce more than 357 Intellectual Property assets, created or assisted more than 22 young companies, and attracted more than $200 million in public and private investment to the region

Located in Mechanicsburg, Enginuity Energy is committed to providing sustainable and ennovative solutions promoting energy conservation and clean power generation through the use of renewable resources.

Additional Gold Sponsors of the event include OriginOil, the Lehigh Nanotechnology Network and Lehigh University.

The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. William Goldner of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). He will give an overview of the strategic thinking and programs USDA NIFA and other USDA agencies are using to address the sustainable production of biofuels, biopower, and biobased products.

Rep. H. Scott Conklin (77th Legislative District-Centre County) will deliver the opening remarks. In the state House, Rep. Conklin serves on the committees of Environmental Resources and Energy, where he is majority secretary; Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Appropriations; and Education. He is vice chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, and is a member of the Lupus and Alzheimer's Awareness caucuses.

The closing speaker is Daniel J. Desmond, former Deputy Secretary for the Office of Energy and Technology Deployment at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and now a partner in Peregrine Technology Partners, a Pennsylvania firm started in late 2008 that works on development and commercial deployment of environmentally beneficial technology.

The program is set to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $35. More information is found online at http://www.HarrisburgU.edu/BioEnergySummit For additional information, email BioEnergy@HarrisburgU.edu or call Dr. Leena Pattarkine at 717.901.5168.

Harrisburg University is located at 326 Market Street in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Parking Authority operates a garage accessible via Fourth Street. Cost for parking in the garage is $5.00 for 0-2 hours. Kiosk for parking accepts cash only. More information on parking rates and directions to the University are found online at http://www.harrisburgu.net/campuslife/directions.php#parking

Founded in 2001 to address Central Pennsylvania’s need for increased opportunities for study leading to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Harrisburg University is an innovative and ambitious private institution that produces graduates who provide increased competence and capacity in science and technology disciplines to Pennsylvania and the nation. Harrisburg University ensures institutional access for underrepresented students and links learning and research to practical outcomes. As a private University serving the public good, Harrisburg University remains the only STEM-focused comprehensive university located between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

For more information on the University's demand-driven undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in applied science and technology fields, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu

Contact:
Steve Infanti
AVP Communications
326 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717.901.5146