Member Article

Science park conference coming to NETPark

The International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) has chosen NETPark in County Durham to host the annual conference for its European division.

The prestigious event will take place 27-29 November with science park managers and policy makers from all over Europe descending on County Durham. The conference is the latest globally renowned event to take part at NETPark in Sedgefield, operated by Business Durham, Durham County Council’s business gateway.

The theme of the conference will be ‘To be or not to be (a specialist)?’ and the 70 to 80 attendees will explore whether science parks should pursue a technology focus or a more general approach.

Workshops and discussions throughout the event will help show science park managers such things as how they can access help and support, run parks as efficiently as possible, how to best communicate and market their park and how to develop partnerships and spin off activities to broaden the park beyond its physical boundaries.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Once again NETPark has been chosen to host a world class event, further highlighting County Durham’s status as a major hub for technology businesses. We look forward to welcoming the delegates from across Europe to the conference in November.”

Dr Simon Goon, managing director of Business Durham, said: “NETPark is recognised as a pioneer in science park management with the way that it works with science and technology companies all over the North East. This endorsement by the International Association of Science Parks is proof that County Durham is a global player.”

Ebba Lund, chief operations officer of IASP, said: “Workshops organised by local members are a cornerstone of our overall strategy. They serve both for our training strategy based on knowledge sharing and also for our flexible approach to networking which combines various layers and depths at local, regional and global levels. Our workshop at NETPark in County Durham is also special because of the particular topic that will be dealt with and we are sure it will deliver a different perspective and many enriching ideas to the participants.”

Companies are individuals interested in registering for this event can do so by visiting http://iaspnetpark.eventbrite.com/ or by contacting Business Durham on 03000 261261.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Business Durham .