UMD’s Discovery District to Host 2018 Association of University Research Parks International Conference

The University of Maryland’s Discovery District, an epicenter of academic, research and economic development, will host the Association of University Research Parks (AURP) annual International Conference, Oct. 22- 26, 2018.

“The University of Maryland is very proud to act as the host for AURP’s 2018 International Conference,” said Brian Darmody, associate vice president for corporate and foundation relations at UMD, and past AURP president. “The Baltimore-Washington area is a thriving technology corridor, and the University of Maryland Discovery District is a perfect venue to demonstrate the value of research parks as the true intersections of science and innovation.”

The Discovery District has been widely recognized for its leadership in research. Most recently, UMD was awarded two Innovation & Economic Prosperity University Awards by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities for its Greater College Park initiative, of which the Discovery District is a cornerstone. In addition, in 2015, prior to its name change, the University of Maryland Research Park was recognized as AURP’s Research Park of the Year.

“There’s no better place than Maryland to hold the 2018 AURP International Conference,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “Our network of university research parks – coupled with nearly 75 federal labs – make Maryland a center of science, technology and innovation. In short, our state is the perfect location to explore unparalleled research facilities, expand partnerships at home and abroad, and enjoy all that Maryland has to offer.”

“Each year our selection committee works hard to find the best locations to showcase our host parks and the incredible innovations happening across the world at university research parks,” said AURP CEO Carol Stewart. “In 2018, the University of Maryland and its Discovery District will provide ample opportunities for some of the most innovative minds in the world to experience a stellar research park and its community.”

UMD debuted the Discovery District in 2017, which encompasses more than 150 acres that stretch from Baltimore Avenue to the research-rich and metro-accessible community along River Road. The Discovery District is home to the research park formerly known as M Square, and features amenities like The Hotel at the University of Maryland and the The Art Walk.

The Discovery District is part of UMD’s Greater College Park initiative, a $2 billion public-private investment to rapidly revitalize the Baltimore Avenue corridor and academic campus, which includes dynamic academic spaces, a public-private research hub and vibrant downtown community. Earlier this week, the university announced that Capital One will be the first major private sector anchor to join the Discovery District with the launch of an innovation lab, which will give UMD students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom—in topics like data science, technology and automation—to real-world problems and experiences.

To learn more about the Discovery District, visit https://greatercollegepark.umd.edu/discovery-district.html.