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CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Austin Entrepreneurship Program at Oregon State University will host a symposium on Friday, May 19, that focuses on ways that Oregon universities, businesses and government can create an environment that encourages innovation and the commercialization of ideas.

The symposium, "Commercializing Technology Innovations in a Global Context," begins at 8:30 a.m. in LaSells Stewart Center. Registration is $25; information on the conference and registration is available online at http://www.bus.oregonstate.edu/programs/registration.htm

Keynote speaker for the event will be Oregon Treasurer Randall Edwards, who will speak on "Fostering Innovation and Oregon's Global Competitiveness." His talk will begin at 9:20 a.m.

The event is sponsored by the OSU College of Business, Microsoft, the OSU Business Roundtable, and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance.

A session running from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. will look at commercialization of OSU technology. Sessions beginning at 11:20 a.m. include a discussion on state policy incentives that support commercialization of technology, and a discussion of how to pitch entrepreneurial ideas to experts.

Displays of OSU student businesses will be on exhibit throughout the event.

A review of student businesses fostered through the Austin Entrepreneurship Program will conclude the symposium. Following the event, tours will be given of historic Weatherford Hall, which houses the program.