Communities of Innovation 101

Discover the building blocks behind thriving ecosystems at AURP’s Communities of Innovation 101. Designed for emerging professionals and those seeking a deeper understanding of research parks and innovation districts, this immersive session explores the essential elements of building and managing successful Communities of Innovation.

COI 101 Chair: Kate Engel, Executive Director, Nebraska Innovation Campus

8:00am – 8:15am   |   Welcome & Introductions
              ● Vickie Palmer, Chief Executive Officer, AURP
              ● Allison Madden, MBA, President, AURP; Corporate Secretary and Chief Operating Officer, USF Research Park, University of South Florida
              ● Kate Engel, Officer At-Large, AURP; Executive Director, Nebraska Innovation Campus; COI 101 Chair 

MODULE ONE: Introduction to Research Parks

8:15am – 8:35am   |   Research Parks – Working With Your University
● Jeff Smith, MBA, Vice President, AURP; Director, University Corporate Research Parks, Michigan State University
8:35am – 8:45am  |   University Research Park Governance
              ● George Ward, Associate Vice President for Econonic Development and Real Estate
8:45am – 9:00am  |   Master Planning a Park
● Stephen Coulston, AIA, Principal, Perkins and Will
              ● Laura O’Blenis, Board Member, AURP; President and CEO, Stiletto: Make a Point
9:00am – 9:45am  |   Q&A with Module 1 Speakers

MODULE TWO: Research Park Economic Development

10:00am – 10:20am   |   Impact of Government Relations on the Innovation Environment
● Brian Darmody, Past President, AURP; Chief Strategy Officer, AURP
10:20am – 10:45am   |   Planning for Economic Impact and Measuring the Results
              ● Deborah Cummings, Principal and Managing Director, TEConomy Partners LLC
10:45am – 11:15am     |   Focus on Innovation Districts
              ● Tom Osha, Executive Vice President, Wexford Science & Technology
11:15am – 12:00pm  |   Q&A with Module 2 Speakers

12:00pm – 1:00pm | NETWORKING LUNCHEON with presentation of New Members (since 2025)
                                           with pre-session participants, sponsors, new members, and AURP Board of Directors

MODULE THREE: Research Park Marketing & Business Development

1:00pm – 1:10pm   |  Programming & Engagement Strategies for Your Park
              ● Amy Adams, Executive Director, Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University
1:10pm – 1:20pm   |  Marketing & Communications for Your Park
              ● Kelly Propst, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Research Triangle Park of NC
1:20pm – 1:40pm   |  Incubator Programs for Growth and Success
              ● Casey Carillo, Executive Director, University of Arizona Center for Innovation
1:40pm – 2:00pm   |  Attracting and Supporting Corporate Innovation Centers
              ● Tracy Shickel, Director, Economic Development, University of Delaware
2:00pm – 2:45pm  |   Q&A with Module 3 Speakers

2:45pm – 3:00pm  |   Networking break

 MODULE FOUR: Research Park Operations

3:00pm – 3:30pm   |  Financing Your Park
              ● David Tyndall, Founder and CEO, Collaborative Real Estate
3:30pm – 3:45pm   |  Iowa State University Research Park Case Study
              ● Stacy Dreyer, Associate Director of Corporate Engagement, Iowa State University Research Park
2025 Outstanding Community of Innovation Award Recipient
3:45pm – 3:55pm  |   Q&A with Module 4 Speakers

3:55pm – 4:00pm | Communities of Innovation 101 Wrap-Up

4:00pm | Adjournment

4:00pm – 4:30pm | NETWORKING RECEPTION
                                         AURP Board of Directors plus COI 101 and Leadership Roundtable participants and speakers