2025 International Conference Agenda

Step into a vibrant networking scene where curiosity meets expertise. Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to connect with AURP’s thought leaders in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Have questions? They’ve got answers – and insights you won’t want to miss.
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Chair:
Kate Engel, Executive Director, Nebraska Innovation Campus
Harry Brislin, IV, Executive Director, Real Estate Services and Asset Management, University of South Alabama
Keisha Demps, Director, Office of Partnerships, Centennial Campus, North Carolina State University
Allison Madden, Vice President, AURP; Corporate Secretary and Director of Operations, USF Research Park
Aaron Olver, Managing Director, University Research Park, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Harold Strong, Executive Director, STAR Park, Texas State University

Off Property

Speakers:
Erin Koshut, Executive Director, Cummings Research Park
Chip Cherry, CCE, President & CEO, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber 

Speakers:
Zach Miles, Interim Vice President for Economic Development & Executive Director, UNLV Research Foundation
Mayor Shelley Berkley, City of Las Vegas

Speakers:
Guy Martin, President, Martin-Harris Construction
Don Snyder, Presidential Advisor for Strategic Initiatives, UNLV
Jan Jones Blackhurst, Executive Director UNLV Black Fire Leadership Initiatives
Betsy Fretwell, Principal Consultant, C4WARD Strategies
Moderator: Danielle Casey, President and CEO, Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance

Speakers:
Shani Coleman, Director Community & Economic Development, Clark County Office of Community & Economic Development
Jared Luke, Senior Director of Government Affairs and Economic Development, City of North Las Vegas
Moderator: Zach Miles, JD, MBA, Interim Vice President for Economic Development & Executive Director, UNLV Research Foundation

Speaker:
Troy Westover, Facilities Manager, City of Henderson
Moderator: Zach Miles, JD, MBA, Interim Vice President for Economic Development & Executive Director, UNLV Research Foundation

Speakers:
Harold Strong, Executive Director, STAR Park, Texas State University
Larry Peterson, Executive Director, Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities

Speaker:
Leslee Gilbert, PhD, JD, Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates

Speaker:
Monique K. Mansoura: PhD, MBA, Founder and CEO, Beacon Biostrategies

Speakers:
Donna Ehart, Managing Director Electrify Nevada Accelerator, Gener8tor
Jessica Halsey, Managing Director, Electrify Nevada Accelerator, Gener8tor
Moderator: Jamie Schwartz, Director, Industry and Business Engagement, Office of Economic Development; Associate Director, UNLV Research Foundation

All events hosted and organized by sponsors (approval required by AURP)

Speaker:
Commissioner Michael N. Naft, District A, Clark County, Nevada 

This session explores how Emerge, a national NSF-supported project led by Halo, is accelerating academic-industry partnerships. In this session, we’ll provide insights from discovery interviews with dozens of industry R&D leaders and university faculty and administrators. We will then demo the technology features that were built to facilitate better matchmaking between industry needs and university capabilities and technologies. Attendees will leave with an understanding of key challenges and opportunities for industry- university collaboration and a replicable strategy for improving the research visibility and industry engagement at their institution. 

Speaker:
Lizz Harrell, Vice President of GTM, Halo

ISURP serves as the front door for businesses at Iowa State and works across campus in a team-based engagement model that coalesces multiple entities with concierge service. The results are record-breaking years of industry funding, corporate giving, the lowest vacancies in history, and a robust construction pipeline.
This session will showcase the value proposition, layers of our offering that have changed how we work with industry, workforce pipelining, macro/micro engagement, and integrating marketing and storytelling. 

Speakers:
Alison Doyle, Associate Director, Iowa State University Research Park; Director of Corporate Engagement, Iowa State University
Stacy Dreyer, Associate Director of Corporate Engagement, Iowa State University Research Park
Heather Bray, Corporate Engagement Specialist, Iowa State University Research Park

Research parks thrive when industry partners establish a strong, physical presence on campus, but attracting the right partners requires a deep understanding of a university’s strengths. This session explores how AI can help universities identify their core research areas and strategically match them with companies seeking innovation partnerships. Through real-world case studies, attendees will gain insights into AI-driven strategies that facilitate long-term, mutually beneficial corporate engagements, fueling economic growth at universities. 

Speaker:
Chase Bonhag, MBA, CEO & Co-Founder, FirstIgnite

Speakers:
Aaron Olver, Managing Director, University Research Park, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Erin Koshut, Immediate Past President, AURP; Executive Director, Cummings Research Park
Moderator: David Green, Master Planning Urban Design Leader & Principal, AURP

Funding & Resources Track: Power of Place: Leveraging University-Industry Partnerships through Co-Location and Core Facilities
This session explores the transformative potential of “place” in fostering successful university-industrypartnerships, focusing on how innovation districts, strategic co-location and access to core facilities can drive technology development and collaboration. Drawing on case studies from Georgia Tech, Michigan State University Research Foundation and University of Delawaresession highlights how these institutions have created dynamic environments that bring together academia and industry to tackle challenges and generate economic impact. 

Speakers:
Merry Hunter Caudle, CEcD, Director – Economic Development, Georgia Institute of Technology
Tracy Shickel, Associate Vice President, Corporate Engagement, University of Delaware
Jeffery Smith, Director, Research Parks, Michigan State University Research Foundation
Moderator: Allison Madden, President, AURP; Chief Operating Officer & Corporate Secretary, University of South Florida Research Foundation

Programming Track: Quantum Computing: Why You Should Prepare for a Quantum-Inspired Future
2025 has been declared by the UN as the Year of Quantum Science. Billions of dollars are being Invested by governments around the world to be quantum leaders. Quantum computing is a technology that will disrupt the future from decrypting currently secure financial systems to discovering new drugs. Quantum R&D hubs are under development across the country and around the world in places such as Illinois, Maryland, South Carolina, Colorado, Toronto and Sweden, but quantum will affect all parks as the technology matures and becomes ubiquitous and business facing. 

Speakers:
Leslie Ashor, AIA, LEED AP, Director of Science + Technology, HOK
Harley Johnson, Executive Director and CEO, Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park
Moderator: Brian Darmody, Chief Strategy Officer, AURP

Funding & Resources Track: Fueling Innovation Districts in Times of Change
Learn how local, regional, and state governments are helping to Mobilize Innovation Districts. This panel will feature Howard County and HOK (Gateway Innovation District) and George Mason University with Prince William County (GMU Innovation District). Speakers will share strategies, partnerships, and lessons learned for effective engagement of industry partners and government entities. Attendees will gain practical insights into building broad community buy-in and support to catalyze innovation, attract investment, and drive regional economic development. 

Speakers:
Amy Adams, Executive Director, Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University
Thomas Flynn, CEcD, Economic Development Advisor, Prince William County Economic Development and Tourism
Suzette Goldstein, Senior Principal, Director of Planning, HOK
Sarah Sheppard, Director, Office of Talent and Workforce, Division of Innovation and Growth, Maryland Department of Commerce
Moderator: Laura O’Blenis, President & CEO, Stiletto: Make A Point

Programming Track: Bridging the Valley of Death: Funding Strategies for Tech Transfer
This panel explores the funding landscape for tech transfer initiatives, with insights from university experts. We’ll unpack strategies for navigating the “valley of death,” including venture capital, angel investment, university grant programs, regional ecosystem grants, SBIR/STTR grants, and university-affiliated funds. Attendees will learn about emerging funding models that support tech transfer, de- risk early-stage science, and support founders moving from lab to market. Ideal for innovators, investors, and university professionals looking to strengthen their commercialization pathways. 

Speakers:
Bruce Hunter, JD, MBA, Chief innovation Officer, University of Utah
Zach Miles, JD, MBA, Interim Vice President for Economic Development, UNLV; Executive Director, UNLV Research Foundation
Katie Pettinger, MBA, Chief Innovation Officer, NSF Futures Engines of the Southwest / ASU
Moderator: Maggie Bachenberg, Consultant, Franklin Advisory

Speaker:
David Tyndall, Founder & CEO, Collaborative Real Estate
Moderator: Alison Doyle, Associate Director, Iowa State University Research Park; Director of Corporate Engagement, Iowa State University

Programming Track: Research Parks Partnering with DOD and Intel Community: What You Need to Know
University Research Parks and Innovation Districts have a long history of partnering with DOD and the Intel Community, and DOD R&D appears to be the one area of federal funding that may not be reduced. Nevertheless, working with this sector of the federal government is hard, with many barriers and need for trust built up over many years. Explore leaders who have successfully navigated the federal labyrinth of funding opportunities and restrictions to build communities of DOD and Intel community innovations, and how your park or region might benefit. 

Speakers:
Rod McSherry, Associate VP for Innovation and Economic Development, University of Texas at San Antonio
David Norfolk, Jr., Vice President of Construction & Development, COPT Defense Properties
Tom Sadowski, CEO/Executive Director, Maryland Economic Development Corporation
Moderator: Brian Darmody, Chief Strategy Officer, AURP

Funding & Resources Track: Implementing Research Security Best Practices in Research Parks, Innovation Districts and Hubs
Federal research security regulations and operational guidelines have mandated that research universities and startups implement security and compliance controls to reduce unmitigated foreign influence risks. University-based research parks, innovation districts, technology hubs, and entrepreneurial companies supporting innovation growth and development play an essential role in research security, including protecting research IP assets. This session will provide practical guidance on research security best practices and how AURP stakeholders can implement them.

Speaker:
Allen Phelps, CPP, PCI, CISSP, CISA, Founder & CEO, IPTalons, Inc.
Moderator: Rod McSherry, Associate VP for Innovation and Economic Development, University of Texas at San Antonio

Programming Track: The Bioscience Collaborative – An Innovative Approach to Building Biotech
Bioscience collaboratives can be an innovative yet resource-efficient approach to building biotech ecosystems. Our panel will discuss successful strategies for recruiting and retaining biotech start-ups focusing on collaboration between venture capital, state and private economic development, and academic partners. 

Speakers:
Len Jessup, Managing Director, Desert Forge Ventures
Ray Liu, CEO & Co-Founder, Vena Vitals
Jeffery Talbot, Vice President for Research, Roseman University of Health Sciences
Moderator: Jamie Schwartz, Director, Industry and Business Engagement, Office of Economic Development; Associate Director, UNLV Research Foundation

Funding & Resources Track: The Community-led Innovation Community: A Conversation with Three County Leaders
Innovation communities comprise all shapes and sizes. Dozens are led by universities, and others by economic development agencies, institutions, municipalities, and consortiums. The rise in leadership by larger government sectors – counties and parishes – is creating a phenomenon of transformative impact on regional innovation ecosystems. The panel will explore how three communities from across the U.S. are serving as change agents, owning the moniker of innovation catalysts – through the strategy, design and implementation within their districts. 

Speakers:
Shani Coleman, Director of Community & Economic Development, Clark County Office of Community & Economic Development, Nevada
Christina Morris, Director, Osceola County Economic Development, Florida
Neil Schneider, MPA, Director, Churchill Technology & Business Park Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, Louisiana
Stephen Coulston, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Principal, Perkins&Will

Programming Track: What’s Next? Reimagining and Reinventing in Real Time
Mature innovation districts and research parks face a new era of leadership, resource constraints, and the balancing act between legacy infrastructure and future-forward development. This candid panel will unpack how leaders are navigating the ‘here and now’ in an ever-changing workforce environment while developing 10-year growth strategies. We’ll dive into what it takes to lead boldly and build value despite limitations. 

Speakers:
Randal Froebelius, Project Executive and Senior Advisor, MaRS Discovery District
Greg King, CEcD, Associate Vice President, Economic Development, Georgia Institute of Technology
Carol Stewart, Vice President, Tech Parks Arizona, University of Arizona
Moderator: Laura O’Blenis, President & CEO, Stiletto: Make A Point

Speakers:
Andy Wunder, Policy and Partnerships, E2 and Director, Tech for Innovation and Energy Alliance
Michael Swords, VP Government and International Relations, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, National Coalition of Clean Energy Incubators (NCCEI)
Tom Burns, Executive Director, Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED)
Moderator: Christopher Rooney, Cleantech Commons, Trent University

Speaker:
Vickie Palmer, CEO, AURP

At Spring Training in 2024, AURP’ s audience learned that every compelling story has a low point from which the positive narrative emerges of a “hero” overcoming some obstacle or challenge, thereby demonstrating growth and being relatable. All research park stories likely share at least one similar arc, otherwise leading one would be easy! We believe that reflecting on the “low points” of our parks’ journeys offer important insights that can be instructive to other members on their own pathway — particularly newer members representing younger organizations who are the lifeblood and future of AURP.

Speaker:
Jordan Peterson, Chief Operations Officer, Collaborative Real Estate

Speaker:
Allison Madden, President, AURP; Chief Operating Officer & Corporate Secretary, University of South Florida Research Foundation

All events hosted and organized by sponsors (approval required by AURP)