Oct. 6, 2004 — Pre-conference activities at NanoCommerce 2004 kicked off Monday with an economic workshop designed to help attendees develop regional clusters of nanotech activity. Titled “Creating a Nano Economy in Your State or Region,” the panel featured speakers from a number of U.S. state development initiatives, universities and government programs, as well as international perspectives from representatives of the United Kingdom and Australia. About 45 people attended the event.

Sean Murdock, executive director of the NanoBusiness Alliance, opened the workshop with a brief introduction. Candace Stuart, Small Times magazine editor, spoke next with a presentation about the methodology used to create Small Times’ annual state rankings. She was followed by speakers on behalf of Texas, Illinois, Oregon, Georgia and Michigan, who detailed how their states are fostering nanoeconomic development.

The show officially began yesterday and runs through Thursday. Approximately 400 people are attending from ten countries, including Japan. The largest foreign contingent comes from the United Kingdom, which has eight companies represented at the show. Over 40 exhibitors will opened their booths yesterday to visitors.

Highlights include a presentation about Nano-Tex by inventor David Soane, CEO Donn Tice and turnaround financier and billionaire Wilbur Ross, who bought Burlington Industries, in part, because it owned Nano-Tex.