Event Notices From Nov. 26
MACPA Offers Retirement Plan Compliance Advice: The Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, in partnership with The Agbay Group and the Society of Human Resource Management, hosts the Retirement Plan Protection Workshop, Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Michigan State University Management Education Center, 811 W. Square Lake Road, Troy. The event begins with registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and the event runs from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Designed specifically for retirement plan sponsors, the breakfast workshop helps ensure that company filings are in compliance with the United States Department of Labor's Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Provisions within ERISA allow the U.S. Department of Labor to bring civil actions against plan sponsors and other fiduciaries that have insufficient filings or other violations. This workshop provides information about DOL's increased scrutiny on retirement plans, and how companies can make certain their compliance efforts stay on track. Key topics include reasons retirement plans might be investigated and "triggers" to be aware of; how to respond when notified of an investigation and initial steps to take to minimize burden and risk; and what to expect from the U.S. Department of Labor and how to resolve an investigation to avoid penalties and minimize disruption to a business. Speaking at the event is retirement plan consultant Anthony Agbay, Senior Vice President of Investments of The Agbay Group, Troy; and Bradford P. Campbell, current counsel at Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP, and former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employee Benefits and primary federal regulator for ERISA. More at www.michcpa.org.
BioArbor Sets Final Meeting Of 2013: The Ann Arbor biotech group BioArbor will present its final meeting of 2013, Assessing the Potential For Your Product, on Dec. 11 at Spark Central, 330 E. Liberty St. in Ann Arbor. Networking begins at 5 p.m. and the program starts at 6. Appropriately assessing the potential of a product can make or break a company. All successful products fulfill an unmet market need. By understanding the market and the voice of the customer, entrepreneurs can best meet the needs of the market. Define the needs incorrectly, and all your efforts will be wasted. Come hear from experts who have used proven strategies to correctly understand their markets and build successful products. Three panelists will discuss the importance of evaluating the market potential, identifying key drivers of customer behavior, defining critical specifications, and creating a clear statement of value proposition that resonates with customers. These objectives are critical for any corporate strategy, from the start of a new venture through capital investment, product sales, business development and eventually exit. Panelists include Richard Sheridan, CEO, co-founder of the Ann Arbor software developers Menlo Innovations; David Hartmann, mentor in residence at the University of Michigan Technology Transfer Office; and Molly Hoult a director at the Boston based venture firm and strategy consultant Fletcher Spaght. BioArbor hosts educational networking events for the life sciences industry in the greater Ann Arbor area. BioArbor's focus is on technology commercialization, financing strategies, business development, regulatory affairs and marketing. Each monthly meeting features a networking session and an invited speaker, followed by a Q&A period. Invited speakers share experience on topics such as drug discovery & development, medical devices, diagnostics and tools. BioArbor events are open to the public and are especially suited for those interested in starting or growing life science businesses. Register at https://m360.michbio.org/ViewEvent.aspx?id=92979&instance=0.
Accomplished Inventor, Innovator To Share Story Of Success: Scott Badenoch, founder and CEO of Badenoch LLC and recent recipient of a Michigan Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Matching Funds Program award, will bring his message and the story of founding Badenoch LLC to the Macomb-OU INCubator's Fireside Chat Series on Tuesday, Dec. 10. In 2002, Badenoch ended a 30-year career in product development and marketing at ITW, Raychem, General Motors and Delphi to join the professional faculty at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Throughout his career, he ran advanced groups developing new concepts, technologies and markets, including the angioplasty balloon, the FASTEX plastic buckle, construction fasteners, automotive electronic stability control, the repositioning of the Cadillac brand and survivable military vehicles. In 2005, he founded Badenoch LLC to work on defense and energy projects. Clients have included major corporations, private equity groups, individuals, institutes, and the United States government and military. He holds more than 150 records of invention, patents and trade secrets and is the winner of the Kettering Award for technical innovation in the auto industry. The Fireside Chat Series is designed to encourage discussion and help entrepreneurs gain inside knowledge from those who have 'been there' and 'done that.' Admission to Badenoch's presentation, which begins at noon on Dec. 10, is free and open to the public. Discussion and questions are encouraged as part of the event. The incubator is located in the Velocity building at 6633 Eighteen Mile Road in Sterling Heights. Those interested in attending are asked to register in advance by contacting Joan Carleton at (586) 884-9324 or e-mailing to macINC@oakland.edu. The Macomb-OU INCubator provides comprehensive development and support to startup and emerging businesses with a focus on the defense, homeland security, advanced manufacturing and technology sectors. For more information, visit the incubator website at www.oakland.edu/macombouinc.
MidMichigan Innovation Center Sets Open House: The MidMichigan Innovation Center will hold its Holiday Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the MMIC, 2007 Austin St. in Midland. Visitors can learn how MMIC helps entrepreneurs turn great ideas into thriving businesses, and enjoy refreshments and festivities while they explore the headquarters. More at http://www.mmic.us/.
