South Texas' big technology destination honored by the Association of University Research Parks.
11-14-2024
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BENTONVILLE, ARKANSAS — Port San Antonio's Tech Port campus — the region's leading and fast-growing technology hub — has been named the 2024 Outstanding Innovation District by the Association of University Research Parks (AURP).
AURP is the leading association representing research parks, innovation districts, tech hubs and communities of innovation from across the world. The organization presented the award during its annual summit, which was attended by over 200 other research park and innovation district leaders from across the U.S. and around the world.
Each year, the AURP network endeavors to elevate distinctive research parks and innovative districts, the executives supporting the advancement of these R&D communities, as well as the unique and impactful companies and their tech-based products and solutions.
Through the annual AURP Awards of Excellence in Innovation, member communities, their leaders and their residing companies gather to celebrate and recognize individual achievements in building communities of innovation, training the workforce of tomorrow and solving world challenges.
Port San Antonio is the first Texas organization to receive the distinction, first awarded in 1996. The award underscores the Port's strategic transformation positioning itself as a global leader in technological development and collaboration. The former Kelly Air Force Base, a 1,900-acre campus, now hosts some of the most prominent names in aerospace, manufacturing, cybersecurity, robotics and other advanced industries. Enterprises opeating on the campus are at the forefront of global technology projects, solidifying the Tech Port's role as a vital contributor to the evolving technology landscape.
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"Congratulations to all the honorees of our 2024 Awards of Excellence in Innovation," said Vickie Palmer, CEO of AURP. "Our 2024 recipients, community leaders and their teams exemplify enduring qualities of perseverance, determination and integrity, with a sharp focus on nurturing new discoveries or opportunities. These leaders and their convening stakeholders are essential in creating vibrant communities where individuals can flourish both personally and professionally, through harnessing the economic impact of research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs."
"On behalf of our dynamic AURP membership, I'm very happy to congratulate Port San Antonio and all of our 2024 Awards of Excellence winners," said Erin Koshut, AURP President and Executive Director, Cummings Research Park. "Research parks, innovation districts and tech hubs such as Port San Antonio are dedicated to driving progress in innovation and advanced technologies, creating high-wage jobs and fostering ecosystems and places where creativity and collaboration thrive."
"It's a great honor to receive this very special recognition and to be part of AURP's amazing network of kindred spirits," said Jim Perschbach, Port San Antonio President and CEO. "Our Port is fortunate to have a terrific team and outstanding customers and partners who are joining us in this important journey. We're thrilled to be a member of the AURP family and to be able to learn and grow through new collaborations. We look forward to the journey ahead as we continue to make connections and together help create a world that is more resilient, more productive and full of new opportunities for today's generations and those who will follow us."
To accommodate both the changing needs of industry and the influx of talent, the Port is growing plans for a campus ecosystem that will create value by fostering collaboration between the military, commercial enterprises and entrepreneurs, research institutions and the community.
A LOOK AHEAD: TECH PORT'S CONCEPTS FOR THE DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH CAMPUS OF THE FUTURE
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About AURP
AURP, a non-profit international organization with offices in the Washington, D.C. area at the University of Maryland Discovery District and in Tucson, AZ at the University of Arizona Tech Park, focuses on creating communities of innovation and education for research parks both operating and planned, plus innovation districts, incubators, accelerators and the businesses that support the research park industry. AURP and its global membership promote research, institute-industry relation and innovation districts to foster innovation and to facilitate the transfer of technology from such institutions to the private sector. Learn more at www.aurp.net.
Banner image: Port Board and leadership receiving the award at AURP's international conference on November 13, 2024. Image credit: Port San Antonio.
