IASP World Conference 2026: Start your experience with practical insights from industry experts

The 43rd IASP World Conference is less than two months away, and many of you are already planning your trip to the French Riviera for 27–30 October. But why wait until the official programme begins to get started?

On 27 October, before the official conference programme begins, the IASP Pre-Conference Training Seminar will bring together experienced leaders from across the IASP network for a full day of practical insights, peer learning and open discussion on what it takes to develop and manage successful innovation spaces.

Whether you are new to the sector, stepping into a leadership role or looking to sharpen your approach, the seminar offers the opportunity to learn directly from professionals who are managing science and technology parks, innovation districts and other areas of innovation around the world.

Seven key pillars, seven global experts

Across seven sessions, experienced leaders from the IASP network will share practical insights and lessons from their own experience, covering some of the key strategic and operational questions involved in developing and managing Science and Technology Parks (STPs), Innovation Districts (IDs), Areas of Innovation (AOIs) and other innovation spaces.

Meet the experts sharing their experience:

Ebba Lund, CEO, IASP - Innovation spaces: models and strategic choices

Opening the programme, Ebba will explore the different models of innovation spaces, the strategic choices behind them and how their missions and roles have evolved. Drawing on the IASP Strategigram's seven axes and her extensive experience across our global innovation network, she will set the stage for understanding the key elements that shape successful innovation spaces.

Luiz Carlos Pinto da Silva, Secretary of Innovation for the city of Porto Alegre and leader of 4th District, Brazil - Focus on innovation districts

Drawing on his first-hand experience transforming the city into a hub for entrepreneurship, research and urban regeneration through the development of Porto Alegre’s innovation district Quarto Distrito, Luiz will explore how innovation districts can bring together city governments, universities, companies and local communities, and how the combination of working, living, leisure and cultural environments can contribute to innovation and urban transformation.

Derya Çağlar, CEO, Ostim Teknopark, Türkiye - Business incubation and business creation

Founding CEO of Ostim Teknopark, Derya brings extensive experience in building support systems for technology-based businesses, with 10+ years of experience developing and running the park as an industry-anchored innovation platform supporting businesses from early-stage ideas through to commercialisation and scale-up. Her session will explore the evolving role of business incubation, acceleration, mentoring and investor access in supporting business creation and growth.

Ming Yang, Vice President and Secretary to the Board of Directors, TusHoldings Co., Ltd., China -Services

Ming brings a perspective shaped by senior experience across TusHoldings and its technology and international operations, as well as a background in commercial banking.  He will explore how innovation spaces can develop high-value services that respond to the different needs of startups, SMEs and corporates, adapting their support to different stages of company development.

Martin Goroško, Head of Business Development, Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol, Estonia | Marketing and communication

At Tallinn Science Park Tehnopol, Martin works at the intersection of business development and marketing. His session will explore how strategic marketing and communication can help science and technology parks and areas of innovation attract companies, institutions and talent, while building stronger connections with their wider communities. He will also look at how an integrated approach across different channels can strengthen visibility and keep innovation spaces relevant to diverse audiences, from stakeholders and residents to companies and civil society.

Jenn Dawe, Manager, David Johnston Research + Technology Park, University of Waterloo, Canada - Innovation spaces and university relationships

At the David Johnston R+T Park (University of Waterloo), Jenn works closely with tenants, industry partners, government and the university to support the growth of its innovation ecosystem. Drawing on her background in science, innovation and business development, Jenn will explore how innovation spaces and universities can work together to drive research, entrepreneurship, commercialisation and talent development, and the role managers play in connecting academia with industry.

Roland Sillmann, CEO, Wista-Management GmbH Berlin Adlershof, Germany - Governance and stakeholder management

As CEO of Wista-Management GmbH, Roland is responsible for the development of Berlin-Adlershof, one of Germany's leading innovation spaces, alongside a portfolio of other innovation and business locations. His session will offer practical insight into managing the different stakeholders involved throughout the life of an innovation ecosystem, exploring how decision-making structures, institutional architecture, objectives and strategic models need to evolve as an innovation space develops. 

Throughout the day, discussion groups and Q&A sessions will give participants the chance to engage directly with the speakers and fellow professionals, exchange experiences and discuss the challenges they face in their own organisations.

For anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of managing science parks, innovation districts, areas of innovation and other innovation spaces, this is an opportunity to hear from professionals who are doing the work every day and to take those insights back to your own organisation.

Don't miss the opportunity to start your IASP World Conference experience a day early and benefit from experienced peers from across the global innovation community. Places are limited due to the practical nature of the seminar and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Secure your place today! For full programme details and to register, see the Pre-Conference Training Seminar web page.