AURP Weekly Park Post

IC2018 Highlights from

Mason Ailstock

Thank you to all who attended AURP's 2018 International Conference at The University of Maryland Discovery District. What an incredible time of learning, networking and collaborating!

To celebrate the success of this year's conference, I'd like to do a "Mason's High Five Highlights of AURP IC2018". Check it out:

#1 The location and host institution were exceptional! The University of Maryland Discovery District and the AURP team delivered a high-energy, power-packed conference. Special thanks to Brian Darmody, Julie Lenzer, Martha Schoonmaker, Ellen Hemmerly, Jane Shaab, Vickie Palmer, Carol Stewart , and the AURP Conference Committee members: Kevin Byrne, Charlie D'Agostino, Jeff Johnson, Erin Koshut, Scott Levitan, Ken Marcus, and Mark Romney .

#2 I participated in Creating Communities of Innovation 101 because I always learn something new and get inspired by the amazing speakers. Thank you to Harold Strong, 101 Chair, and the many others who gave of their time and talents to work with the attendees.

#3 The Leadership Roundtable conversation focused on incubators as the heartbeat of our research parks is spot on…. These are critical programmatic components that attract industry partners, create new jobs and new technologies in unique environments that are different from other incubators not associated with a university.

#4 Mitch Horowitz, of TEConomy Partners, presented a benchmarking report summary on the AURP Research Park Survey. The data is excellent and supports the growth of research parks and their role in innovation districts. The team presented impactful facts and figures that AURP members can use back at their home institutions and communities (as well as with our elected officials) to build support to advance missions, fundraise and expand our impact.

#5 It's typically difficult to make economic data “fun,” but Anirban Basu made the topic fun, informative and engaging during the session, "Economic Insights." And Secretary Mike Gill is one dynamic Secretary of Commerce who has a passion for the companies, community, higher ed, and the individuals he serves. The University of Maryland Discovery District could not have a stronger advocate and champion of economic development as they have with Secretary Gill.

There were so many additional highlights but in brief:

Ballard Spahr informed us about the fascinating world of Opportunity Zones as they continue to unfold the details at the federal level. Watch for more info!
The inclusion of community colleges, medical centers and venture capital were all excellent additions to the AURP conference content that provided new insights into areas that are becoming increasingly central to the success of communities of innovation.
Thanks to all who came out to participate at the DC Experience Day on the Hill! We need our voices to be heard.
Check out our Facebook album for a digital library of IC2018!

Lastly, I want to thank Carol Stewart for her dedication to AURP. I truly wish her well in her future endeavors. AURP has officially opened the search for AURP's new leader. If you're interested, please check out the Career Center page to learn more and apply.

Sincerely,

Mason Ailstock

AURP President 2017-2018

RETURN ON INVESTMENT RECAP

#AURPIC2018

Dr. Walter Copan, the Under Secretary of Commerce and National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), provided an update on the Return on Investment Initiative (ROI) to attendees at the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) at its International Conference at the University of Maryland.

The ROI is intended to explore ways to increase the economic impact of federal research and development spending as part of a lab-to-market strategy.

Dr. Copan and his team at NIST are digesting the many policy and legislative recommendations received from stakeholders across the country, including AURP, and expect to release some white papers and other policy recommendations later in 2019.

Through its Government Relations Committee, AURP submitted concepts to NIST, including reforming policies on private research performed in tax-exempt bond financed research facilities, allowing direct charging of patent costs on federal research grants, creating a Congressionally chartered federal lab technology intermediary, and other recommendations. These recommendations build on the policy reforms outlined in the Power of Place and Power of Place 2.0, the Power of Innovation, available at AURP Publications, https://www.aurp.net/publications.

Also at the AURP conference (at the DC Experience at the AT&T Forum), attendees received a federal legislative update and predictions for funding for policies supporting innovation, from representatives of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the Association of American Universities, and VanScoyoc Associates, a federal representation firm that works with AURP and other members of the Innovation Association.

AND THE 2018 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS ARE...

Steve Frayser, 2018 Awards Committee Chair, had the prestigious occasion of honoring the 2018 Awards of Excellence recipients at the AURP 2018 International Conference.

OUTSTANDING RESEARCH PARK GENOPOLE

VIDEO

EMERGING RESEARCH PARK

Lehigh University

Mountaintop Campus

VIDEO

LEADERSHIP

Stephen Tang

INNOVATION

HudsonAlpha Institute

for Biotechnology

VIDEO

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Charles D’Agostino

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Ilse Treurnicht

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Thomas Hall

VISION

Hon. Jerry Moran

U.S. Senator, Kansas

LEADERSHIP

Hon. Steny Hoyer

U.S. House of Representatives

SEE YOU IN ATLANTA #AURPIC2019

TECH SQUARE AT GEORGIA TECH

AURP is holding its 2019 International Conference at Tech Square at Georgia Tech. Don't miss out on an incredible opportunity to experience the #AURPIC2019 at one of the most innovative parks in the world!