Trend forecaster and economy expert Todd Buchholz is keynote presenter on the topic, "Why You Need and Love Competition," at Ben Franklin ixchange 2013, 5:30 p.m. May 7, Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem.

Buchholz is an international economist, former White House senior economic advisor, Tiger Hedge Fund manager, former Harvard lecturer and frequent TV and radio commentator. He has written several best-selling books on the economy, including "New Ideas from Dead Economists," "New Ideas from Dead CEOs" and "Market Shock." He is listed on Successful Meetings Magazine's "21 Top Speakers for the 21st Century."

Last year, more than 500 technology entrepreneurs, business people, economic developers, venture capitalists, political leaders, educators, students, bankers, lawyers, and accountants from Ben Franklin's 21-county service area attended.

Hot hors d'oeuvres and dessert will be served. A cash bar will be available.

The i xchange combines executive networking sessions, the keynote address and the presentation of Ben Franklin's annual Innovation Awards.

The 2013 Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania Innovation Awards winners are:

Entrepreneurial Achievement: CyOptics, Inc. , Breinigsville. Ed J. Coringrato, Jr, Chief Executive Officer. CyOptics manufactures Indium Phosphide-based optical components that enable applications in the fiber, cable, data center and long haul-metro segments of the communications network, as well as in defense and aerospace, high-performance computing and security sectors. CyOptics has more than 180 customers worldwide. The company employs more than 330 regionally and 837 worldwide.

Incubator Graduate: Computer Aid, Inc., Allentown. Anthony J. Salvaggio, President. Computer Aid traces its beginning and initial success to support within the Ben Franklin Business Incubator. CAI has been a worldwide leader in IT metrics, process, and productivity. CAI manages active engagements with Fortune 1000 companies. CAI also has offices in the Philippines, India, Australia, England and Brazil. Computer Aid has more than 3,000 full-time associates.

Product Innovation: Micro Interventional Devices, Langhorne. Michael Whitman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Beginning at Ben Franklin TechVentures in 2010, Micro Interventional Devices has developed a new, minimally-invasive product for surgeons and cardiologists to use in life-saving and life-extending structural heart valve repair and replacement procedures. The company's Permaseal closure device will enable crucial procedures to be conducted through a small incision between the ribs as opposed to open heart surgery. Company leaders have attracted substantial follow-on funding that complements Ben Franklin's $450,000 investment. Micro Interventional expanded to its own manufacturing facility in Langhorne in early 2013, and will continue its clinical trials in Europe. It is estimated that the global transapical closure device market will exceed $400 million by 2015.

Manufacturing Achievement: East Penn Manufacturing Co., Lyon Station. Robert P. Flicker, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. East Penn Manufacturing has been producing and recycling lead-acid batteries for more than 67 years. The company has worked with Ben Franklin repeatedly since 1987, partnering with Lehigh University and the Enterprise Systems Partners, the Penn College of Technology's Plastics Innovation and Resource Center, and Northampton Community College's Emerging Technology Applications Center. East Penn's most recent work focused on developing a special process for the company's new UltraBattery. This advanced lead-acid battery is being used in Smart Grid projects with or without renewable energy, such as wind turbines and solar power, as well as in hybrid electric vehicles. East Penn employs more than 6,500 people in the Greater Reading area, and its growth has consistently exceeded average industry rates.

Partnership: Edward Thompson, CPA, Consultant, Clarks Summit. As a seasoned finance and accounting advisor to a number of Ben Franklin early-stage clients, Thompson is helpful, supportive and proficient. Many start-ups experience the exhaustion of their initial capital investments, revenues that are not ramping up as quickly as planned and panic setting in. Thompson enters with analysis and advice, helping young firms successfully navigate their typically difficult cash flow challenges.

Reservations: ixchange@nep.benfranklin.org, 610-758-5200