2026 International Conference Agenda

FOUNDATIONS TO FRONTIERS: Research Parks and Innovation Districts for America’s Next 250 Years

Tuesday, September 29 – Thursday, October 1   |   Pegasus Park in Dallas, Texas

September 28th
September 29th
September 30th
October 1st

Day One of Conference – Monday, September 28th

All meetings held at the Virgin Hotel (1445 Turtle Creek Blvd. Dallas, TX 75207)

1:00pm – 4:00pm   |   AURP Board of Directors’ Meeting

6:00   |   Board of Directors’ Sponsor Appreciation Dinner (by invitation only)

Want a seat at the table? Contact Vickie Palmer to discover sponsorship opportunities and gain access to this invitation-only experience.

Day Two of Conference – Tuesday, September 29th

All meetings held at the Virgin Hotel (1445 Turtle Creek Blvd. Dallas, TX 75207)

7:30   |   Check-In / Continental Breakfast

 
8:00am – 4:00pm   |   COMMUNITIES OF INNOVATION 101 (additional fee applies)
 
9:00 – 11:00   |   OPTIONAL TOUR: University of Texas – Dallas (included in registration fee)
 
12:00pm – 1:00pm   |   Group Lunch: COI 101, Leadership Roundtable, New Members and Sponsors
 
2:00 – 4:00   |   OPTIONAL TOUR: University of Texas – Dallas (included in registration fee)
 
1:00pm – 4:00pm   |   LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE (additional fee applies)
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4:00 – 4:30   |   VIP Reception (by invitation only)

6:00   |   AURP International Conference Kick Off and Celebration
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Day Three of Conference – Pegasus Park – Wednesday, September 30th

All meetings held at Pegasus Park (3000 Pegasus Park Dr. Dallas, TX 75207) – transportation will be provided AM/PM only

7:30am – 8:15am  |  Transportation from Hotel to Pegasus & Continental Breakfast & Check-in

8:00am – 8:30am   |   Welcoming Remarks
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8:30am – 12:30pm   |   MAIN STAGE GENERAL SESSION
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12:30pm – 1:345pm   |   Group Luncheon & Small Group Tours of BioLabs

1:45pm – 2:30pm   |   CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION
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2:45pm – 3:30pm   |   CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION
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3:30pm – 4:00pm   |   Networking Break

4:00pm – 4:45pm   |   CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION
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5:00pm – 5:30pm   |   Afternoon Keynote
Speaker: Tom Osha, Vice President of Knowledge Community, Wexford Science & Technology  

7:00pm   |   Small Group Dinners

Day Four of Conference – Pegasus Park – Thursday, October 1st

All meetings held at Pegasus Park (3000 Pegasus Park Dr. Dallas, TX 75207) EXCEPT as noted ‘off property – transportation will be provided AM/PM only

Attendees choose a session track during the registration for the morning’s sessions

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12:30pm – 1:30pm   |  Networking Lunch – all caucuses and attendees together 

1:30pm – 2:15pm   |   MAIN STAGE SESSION
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2:15pm – 2:30pm   |   Break

2:30pm – 3:15pm   |   CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION
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3:15pm – 3:45pm   |   Break

3:45pm – 4:30pm   |   CONCURRENT BREAKOUT SESSION
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4:30pm – 4:45pm   |   Break

4:45pm – 5:15pm   |   Closing Keynote/Fireside Chat
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5:15pm – 5:30pm   |   Closing Remarks

6:30pm   |   Small Group Dinners