RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK — More than 250 investors from around the United States will be on hand for the CED’s annual venture conference today and tomorrow in Pinehurst.

Some 33 companies will be making their case to potential investors during the Council for Entrepreneurial Development’s showcase.

Local Tech Wire hears that at least one presenter will announce landing around $10 million in a new round of financing. The deal is expected to be disclosed on Wednesday.

Also today, the MCNC Research and Development Institute could be announcing some changes, although the specifics have not been made public. Dave Rizzo, who heads the MCNC group and has a strong interest in driving economic development efforts around the state, will disclose the details.

Robert Albright of CED tells LTW that the crowd will be a big one.

“Registrations are looking strong. We’re above 650 pre-registered right now, not counting any on-sites,” he says. .”Out of the 650 total pre-registered, we have over 250 investors signed up. Top-tier VC firms from North Carolina and across the country will be represented at the conference again this year. We’re definitely pleased with the quality of investors that will be attending this year.”

CED has some news of its own to announce, but Albright wouldn’t discuss.

In addition to the presentations by North Carolina companies, the conference includes a variety of panel discussions and keynote speeches.

Tuesday’s feature panel is about “Success Stories From Out-of-Area Investors: Financing Research Triangle Companies.”

Dennis Dougherty of Intersouth will lead the discussion. Panelistsare Brenda Gaving, managing partner, Quaker BioVentures; and Terry McGuire, co-founder and managing general partner of Polaris Venture Partners.

Robert Johnson, owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats, is a highlight of Wednesday’s program.

The CED is also breaking its presenting company programs into two tracks — one for biotech, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, the other for information, telecom and Internet technology.

A.M. Pappas Adds New Partner

Ford Worth tells LTW that venture firm A.M. Pappas has added a new partner. He is Arthur Klausner, formerly a general partner at Domain Associates.

“He is highly regarded throughout the life science venture capital world, and we expect him to begin contributing right away on many fronts,” Worthy says. “We have known Arthur for many years, co-investing in two Domain companies for which he served as the lead partner: X-Ceptor Therapeutics (acquired by Exelixis), and Peninsula Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Johnson & Johnson).”

Klausner is a graduate of Princeton, and he earned his MBA stripes at Sanford.

Tips? News? Ideas? Send them all to Managing Editor Rick Smith (rick@localtechwire.com)