Hybrid meeting brings together leaders of Areas of Innovation and Science Parks from around the world
Innovation happens when the right people get together, and IASP’s International Board Meeting is a microcosm of innovation in action. Its hybrid format gave global experts the unique chance to meet, with some travelling to Malaga, Spain, and others connecting remotely, reflecting the new ways we work and collaborate internationally.
The International Board is made up of a total of 16 members from 14 different countries: China, Denmark, Ecuador, India, Iran, Italy, Kenya, Panama, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the UK and the USA. Experts in science parks (STPs) and areas of innovation (AOIs), they brought their years of executive management experience to the table in the two-day Board meeting to discuss the association’s future strategy and to outline the path for IASP to follow as we adjust to a post-pandemic world. Taking place from 14th – 15th February 2022, the association’s annual strategy meeting was chaired by International President Herbert Chen (TusPark, China), who joined the meeting remotely from Beijing.
Mr. Chen commented: “A good association creates a vibrant network where its members can communicate and exchange knowledge easily, and over the last 40 years, IASP has successfully built a truly global network of STPs and AOIs. IASP organises annual world conferences as well as regional activities, so that park managers get to know each other, collaborate, and grow international relationships. As a service platform to global STPs and AOIs, IASP also needs continuous reform and innovation. Our Board members not only have a rich working experience in STPs and AOIs, but also have accumulated years of practical experience in management. I thank all the Board members as well as all the IASP members for sharing their ongoing inspiration, wisdom and operational solutions that help our association to thrive”.
Tour of local innovation hub
Board members who travelled to Malaga also had the opportunity to take a technical tour of Malaga TechPark, including a visit to a Dekra testing facility to see their connected vehicle testing in action.
New research and industry knowledge
Industry knowledge is the cornerstone of what IASP does, and the coming year will see two important developments. The latest edition of IASP’s General Survey will be published in 2022, complete with data from global IASP members regarding the impact of COVID-19, pivots, and adjustments our industry has experienced, as well as an overview of all the key trends affecting STPs and AOIs. IASP is also finalising an online Self-Assessment Tool for science parks, which will allow them to measure and benchmark their performance in their own regional context as well as at a global level. Developed by experts with years of experience, it will help STPs worldwide to demonstrate the value they bring to their cities and regions and back up their success stories with real quantifiable data.
Back to in-person events in Budapest and Seville
IASP World Conferences take place in a different country every year, becoming a tool to link innovation leaders around the world and keep the association truly global. After two years of virtual events, 2022 sees the return of in-person conferences: Seville, Spain, will be the host city, bringing together experts to explore “Green and digital change powered by innovation: the role of innovation ecosystems.” Taking place from 27-30 September 2022, it will focus on the leading role innovation ecosystems have to play in consolidating global efforts to fight climate change through innovative green and digital technologies.
This year members can also meet at a regional event in Budapest, Hungary, (31 March-1 April) to explore intelligent mobility, e-mobility, artificial intelligence, and cyber defence, as well as joining online webinars to share knowledge and learn from international peers.
Strategic selection of IASP’s 2023 and 2024 conference destinations
And looking further ahead, the international board also considered candidatures from cities bidding to host the association’s 2023 and 2024 World Conferences, all keen to welcome IASP’s global delegates and consolidate their status as innovation hotspots.
As IASP events continue to increase in size and scope, outstanding bids were received from a wide variety of destinations, including Science and Technology Park of Crete, Greece; Technoport, Luxembourg; Parque de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PIIT), Mexico; Québec International, Canada; University of Iceland Science Park, Iceland; Konza Technopolis, Kenya; and Kaunus Science and Technology Park, Lithuania.
After in depth strategic discussion of the advantages each world city could offer, the Board selected Technoport Luxembourg, Luxembourg as host for 2023 and shortlisted two official candidates for 2024: Konza Technopolis, Kenya and Québec International, Canada. For 2024, IASP members will then vote on their favourite at the association’s General Assembly in September 2022 to select the final destination.
IASP CEO Ebba Lund, said: “We were delighted to welcome our international board at this hybrid meeting to discuss our post pandemic strategy and activities for the coming year. With in-person events back on the agenda, we were particularly excited to present candidates to host our 2023 and 2024 World Conferences to the Board. There were some fantastic bids to choose from where innovation is woven into the fabric of the city and region, and I thank all the candidates for their enthusiasm to act as host to their international colleagues. Congratulations to Technoport Luxembourg, and to official candidates Konza Technopolis and Québec International!”.
IASP is the leading association of innovation ecosystems worldwide. IASP’s mission is to be the global network for science parks, innovation districts and other areas of innovation, driving growth, internationalisation and effectiveness for our members. As worldwide membership-based organization, IASP is an independent non-profit NGO managed by experts in science and technology parks and areas of innovation. For further information about IASP, please visit www.iasp.ws.
