FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2005
Contact: Michael Corby
904.632.3310

Florida Community College to host National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers Annual Conference Sept. 28-Oct. 1
"Bridges to Technology" enhancing education and technology coalitions

Florida Community College at Jacksonville will host the Seventeenth Annual Conference for the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) from Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at the Hyatt Regency, in downtown Jacksonville. Its theme, "Bridges to Technology," supports the coalition's efforts of planning, developing and sustaining Advanced Technology Centers across the nation.

The conference will be an opportunity for NCATC members, educators, colleagues and business partners to enhance learning and build stronger coalitions. The results will ensure more students succeed in rewarding high-technology careers. Keynote addresses are planned from industry experts in advanced manufacturing (including robotics and computers), biotechnology and information technology.

Scheduled speakers include Jerry Bussell, vice president, Global Operations at Medtronic Xomed; Doug Zimmerman, director of operations, process support at Anheuser-Busch; and John Rogers, president of genomics company EcoArray and CEO of AquaGene LLC, a biotechnology company that produces human therapeutic proteins in transgenic fish. Industry tours are also scheduled for Anheuser-Busch, Mayo Clinic Research Facility, Sally Corporation and Peterbrooke Chocolatier.

According to the NCATC Website, the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers is a network of higher education resources that advocates and promotes the use of technology applications that enhance economic and workforce development programs and services.

For more information about NCATC, the conference and program updates please visit www.ncatc.org.