ARTICLE
RESEARCH PARK AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY HOSTS ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PARKS’ 2014 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Boca Raton, FL – International and domestic university research, science and technology park executives will convene at the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University’s Boca Raton campus when it hosts the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) 2014 International Conference December 2-5. The theme for this year’s conference is “Regionalism for Innovation and Growth.” The conference will focus on sharing best practices, new ideas and emerging trends for the development of university affiliated research parks, which play an important role in a comprehensive regional economic development strategy. Attendees from around the world will discuss their experiences in leading research and science parks, and will have the opportunity to witness initiatives to transform Florida’s economy, using scientific and technology research as a catalyst. “The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, celebrating its 30 year anniversary, is home to 20 high tech, high wage companies,” said Andrew Duffell, president and CEO of the Research Park. “We are honored to host the AURP’s International Conference coming on the heels of just having just been awarded the Silver Excellence in Economic Development Award for 2014 by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).” "Today’s innovation environment features many players, from new incubators and accelerators to co-working spaces and everything in between,” said Eileen Walker, MBA and CEO, AURP. “The thought leadership that comes from AURP members’ extensive experience in creating communities of innovation is vital to the building of the economy of the 21st Century, and the competitiveness of our nation.” About the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University Established in 1985, the 94-acre Research Park (www.research-park.org) is home to 20 technology companies working in conjunction with the FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science, the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and the FAU College of Business. The Research Park also hosts the Technology Business Incubator with 22 startup technology companies, each of which receives business and consulting services with the goal of becoming established businesses and permanent residents in the Research Park. About the Association of University Research Parks The AURP (www.aurp.net) mission is to foster innovation, commercialization and economic growth in a global economy through university, industry and government partnerships. ###