SANTA CLARA, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Oct 6, 2008 -- As economic uncertainty prevails, global IT and environmental thought-leaders from diverse professional backgrounds will host an executive panel exploring the international growth opportunities for entrepreneurs and enterprises that can be captured through clean technologies.

This keynote panel will investigate the current state of the clean tech industry as well as provide candid insights on business opportunities for entrepreneurs, SMBs and global Fortune 1000 corporations. Audience members will receive key market intelligence on where investments are made, and guidance on the requirements necessary to drive innovation and agility, upgrade corporate citizenship, and seize profits for continued growth -- all through clean technologies.

The keynote panel, "Clean Tech: The Robust Global Growth Engine, Even in Uncertain Times -- Perspectives from the Top Clean Tech Execs" will be held on Wednesday, October 15, from 7:30 am - 10 am, followed by the Clean Tech Expo being held from 10 am - 2:30. All events will take place at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara.

Panelists include:

 
--  Kjerstin Barley, Sr Vice-President and Industry Leader, Technology and
    Business Services, GE Commercial Finance
--  Dr. Cheemin Bo-Linn, CEO, Peritus Partners, Inc.
--  Marianne Wu, Partner, MDV -- Mohr Davidow Ventures
--  Laurie Yoler, Managing Director, GrowthPoint Technology Partners and
    Founding Board Member,  Tesla Motors
--  Elise Zoli , Partner, Goodwin Procter and Head, Clean Tech Law
    Practice

"This is a chance for people to hear from, and interact with, recognized leaders within their respective fields," said Carolyn Leighton, Founder of Women in Technology, International (WITI), a sponsor for the event. "All five key areas of the sector are well represented by our experts: from Commercial Finance (Barley); Marketing, Alliances, and Sales Growth (Bo-Linn); Venture Capital (Wu), Investment Banking (Yoler), and Legal (Zoli)."

Leighton added: "The clean technology sector holds tremendous promise of profitable growth and expansion for business owners and companies of all sizes. The individual perspectives and straight talk from each panelist will provide insightful ideas on how clean technologies can be leveraged as a sustainable global growth engine."

Topics the panel will address are:

 
--  The immediate big picture:  How Clean Tech will survive?  Will it be a
    beneficiary of the current credit debacle, and if so -- why?

--  What will this sector look like next year? In five years?  What is the
    next tier of billion dollar global investment hotbeds? Venture backed IPO
    activity?

--  What are the new applications of technology and innovation to industry
    markets? What are the implications for early stage and top global
    companies?

--  What is the difference between the renewables movement in the 1970s
    and today?  What does it mean for the sector going forward? (e.g. different
    capital markets, regulatory changes, risks for sector development)

--  Who are the winners and losers, and what are the risks and
    opportunities, of carbon-trading programs, and what do these choices -- tax
    versus carbon trading -- mean for the Clean Tech sector?

--  What do RGGI auctions mean for the sector -- and its success -- or for
    the federal initiative?

--  How will the capital markets, or government, advance early stage
    initiatives?

The event is being sponsored by: Women in Technology, International (WITI), Cisco, Deloitte, Fair Isaac, Geico, IBM, ING, IRS, NEC and Kenyon & Kenyon. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.witi.com/regforms/conference_registration_form.php?id=2198.

About WITI

WITI is the nation's leading trade association for professional, tech-savvy women committed to using technology, resources and connections to advance women worldwide. With a global network of smart, talented women and a market reach exceeding 2 million, WITI has established powerful strategic alliances and programs to provide connections, resources, and opportunities within a supportive environment of women committed to helping each other. WITI's mission is to empower women worldwide to achieve unimagined possibilities and transformations through technology, leadership and economic prosperity.