The U of A and U of A Technology Development Foundation welcome more than 300 leaders from around the world to the 2024 Association of University Research Parks International Conference on Nov. 11-14.

The Association of University Research Parks is a global non-profit membership organization that represents university-based research parks, innovation districts, technology hubs and the entrepreneurial companies that support the growth and development of dynamic communities of innovation. Recent AURP international conferences have been held at the University of Utah, the STAR Campus at the University of Delaware and the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, Canada.

The 2024 AURP conference, being held at the U of A campus and the Ledger in Bentonville, features learning opportunities, including collaborative sessions, intense discussion, learning tours and more. Among the activities, panels and presentations are:

• Tours of the Arkansas Research and Technology Park, the U of A Collaborative in Bentonville and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art;
• An opening keynote by Vice Chancellor Mike Malone and Associate Vice Chancellor Toby Teeter;
• A session on "Cultivating Success in the Heartland" by Ross DeVol, president and CEO of Heartland Forward; and
• Presentation of AURP's annual Awards of Excellence.

Members of the media interested in attending the conference may contact Andy Albertson, director of research and economic development communications, at aalbert@uark.edu.