WASHINGTON, March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Creating competitive global economies through research and science parks will be examined at the upcoming symposium, "Understanding Research, Science and Tech Parks: U.S. and Global Best Practice" to be held March 13 at The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the Association of University Research Parks (AURP). NAS and AURP will host officials from the world's top scientific research and technological innovation centers, who will join leaders and speakers including Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), and Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM).

"This symposium will be an overview of the collective impact of research and science parks on national competitiveness across the globe," remarked AURP President Mike Bowman, President and CEO of the Delaware Technology Park.

Also among those slated to speak at the NAS - AURP symposium will be Jaime Parada Avila, President & CEO of the Program Monterrey City of Knowledge, and of the Institute of Innovation and Technology Transfer of the State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico; Dr. James F. Barker, President of Clemson University; and Dr. C.D. Mote, President of the University of Maryland. Among those representing research institutions and parks created in conjunction with national labs will be Dr. S. Pete Worden (Brig. Gen, USAF, ret.), Director, NASA Ames Research Center; and Dr. Richard Stulen, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Science and Technology and Research Foundations of Sandia National Laboratory.

Conference sponsors include Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP. Sonnenschein serves the legal needs of many of the world's top businesses, nonprofits and individuals. They maintain offices across the U.S. and offer a global reach throughout the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

AURP Annual Corporate Sponsors include Alexandria Real Estate Equities, The Facility Group, Wexford Science+Technology, Booz Allen Hamilton, University Wellness, Inc., The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and The University Financing Foundation.

Research and science parks create collaborations amongst government, universities and industry to establish and sustain economic competitiveness. The Association of University Research Parks exists to serve the more than 400 research and science parks across the globe.

CONTACT: Eileen Walker, Executive Director, AURP, +1-520-548-9317

Web site: http://www.aurp.net/