The Enterprise Development Corporation of South Florida, (EDC), a public/private partnership specializing in providing business development services to emerging science and technology companies, announced today that Kevin Hooper ,Vice President of the U.S. Commercial Business Segment at HP, will deliver the keynote address at its 12^th Annual Emerging Technology Business Showcase (ETBS).  Themed “Reflecting On Our Past… Creating Our Future”  in honor of the organization’s 15^th anniversary,  Hooper will present his perspectives on technology advancement over the past 15 years, as well as developments we may expect to see by the year 2024.

“EDC was created in 1994 along with five other organizations across the state, and as we enter our 15^th year we are proud to be the only entity remaining to support entrepreneurship in our region,” stated Jane Teague, EDC Executive Director. “This conference will give us a chance to look back to 1994 and reflect not only on the past and how far we've come, but also on the future, where we want to go as a region, and how we are going to get there. We are honored that Kevin Hooper will share his insights with our audience, and look forward to his perspectives on technology developments past and future.”

“I am delighted to be a part of EDC’s annual conference,” stated Hooper. “Although technology has evolved significantly over the past two decades, much has remained the same.  I look forward to discussing lessons learned and exploring paths for future success as we chart our course in the decades ahead.”

ETBS is sponsored by local industry and academia in support of South Florida’s emerging science and technology community. For the fourth consecutive year, the Gold Coast Venture Capital Association is co-sponsoring the event as investors, business owners, service providers, and research and development organizations gather to strengthen and develop key alliances in the local community. 

About Kevin Hooper

Kevin Hooper joined HP as Vice President of the U.S. Commercial Business Segment in November 2007. As a member of the senior leadership team of HP’s Technology Solution Group, he has driven the company’s transformational agenda to achieve the growth goals assigned to the commercial space, which represents a $150 billion market for HP.  As a solutions-focused executive, Hooper understands the value of leveraging the full portfolio of a complex IT vendor to meet customer needs.

About EDC

Founded in 1994 as a non profit, public/private partnership, EDC provides assistance to emerging science and technology companies throughout South Florida. Through its mentoring program, EDC offers expertise in new product development and commercialization, business strategy development and execution, technology transfer, strategic alliances, and preparing for fundraising. EDC also manages the Technology Business Incubator located in the Florida Atlantic University Research & Development Park and produces two major conferences each year in support of South Florida’s emerging science and technology sector. EDC also manages operations for New World Angels, Florida’s premier structured angel investment organization, and the Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research. EDC’s overall economic impact in the region is in excess of $300 million. For more information, visit www.edc-tech.org.