Ann Arbor Represented at Board Meeting of International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO Paul Krutko recently represented North America at the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation International Board of Directors meeting in Malaga (Spain).  In his role as a member of IASP's board, Krutko was part of discussions and strategy designed to advance the organization's efforts to promote the world's science park industry. Ann Arbor earned designation as an IASP Area of Innovation in 2014.

"The IASP board of directors meeting provided an exciting opportunity to bring the best practices from Ann Arbor – collaboration with our ecosystem partners, working in concert to create and support a thriving area of innovation in this region – to our peers around the world," said Krutko. "The meeting also provided an opportunity to hear what others are doing in their communities that might be adopted in Ann Arbor; I'll be sharing those conversations with the Ann Arbor SPARK team and board in coming weeks as we continue to look at new ways to approach economic development in the most forward-thinking, strategic way."

Krutko was elected to IASP's board by its General Assembly held during the IASP World Conference in Doha, Qatar, in October 2014. The International Board is made up of 19 members from 17 countries; Krutko is the only board member from North America.

IASP president Jean Francois Balducchi of Atlanpole, France, said, "The diversity of IASP's Board of Directors, with colleagues from 17 countries, reflects the true global nature of the organization's network and its enormous capacity for representation, as well as its unique role in linking the best and most advanced science parks and areas of innovation throughout the world."

About Ann Arbor SPARK
Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

About the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP)
IASP is the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation, founded in 1984. With nearly 400 members in 73 countries, IASP connects professionals managing science, technology and research parks (STPs) and other areas of innovation from across the globe, and provides services that drive growth and effectiveness for members. IASP members enhance the competitiveness of companies and entrepreneurs in their cities and regions, and contribute to global economic development through innovation, entrepreneurship, and the transfer of knowledge and technology. The IASP is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and a founding member of the World Alliance for Innovation (WAINOVA). For further information about IASP, please visit www.iasp.ws.  

SOURCE Ann Arbor SPARK

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