Saint-Hyacinthe to host the 2025 North American Conference of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation
20 November 2024
The International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) has confirmed the selection of Saint-Hyacinthe to host the annual conference of its North American division in 2025.
Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole’s candidacy was therefore chosen as the host organization for this major event, which will bring together leaders and representatives from around thirty major science parks and innovation zones in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central American countries that are members of the Association, as well as various organizations linked to innovation and economic development.
The announcement was made yesterday by the outgoing President of IASP for North America and Vice President of Tech Parks Arizona, Ms. Carol Stewart, before members gathered at the McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton, on the outskirts of Toronto. The Executive Director of Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole, Karine Guilbault, then addressed them, briefly presenting Saint-Hyacinthe as a destination for the event and as an agri-food innovation hub.
The event, which will take place from May 28 to 30, 2025, at the Saint-Hyacinthe Convention Centre, will provide an opportunity to facilitate knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration among managers and partners of economic specialization spaces based on innovation, technology, and science. It aims to provide training and exchange best practices for developing prosperous ecosystems that drive technological progress and economic growth in their communities.
“It is with great pride that we will welcome our North American colleagues to Saint-Hyacinthe in 2025. By entrusting us with the organization of this event, IASP recognizes the importance of Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole as one of its longest-standing members, but also the scope and international influence of our agri-food ecosystem. We will, of course, take advantage of our visitors’ presence to highlight the model and successes of our technology park, the Cité de l’innovation agroalimentaire, which we hope will soon be designated as an innovation zone,” emphasized Karine Guilbault.
In recent years, the event has been hosted, among others, by the cities of Monterrey in Mexico; Chicago, Boston, Austin, and Ann Arbor in the United States; and, of course, by Hamilton this year.
“We are delighted that Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole, a valued IASP member since 1994, will host the IASP 2025 North American Conference. This event will be the perfect opportunity for Saint-Hyacinthe to showcase its latest developments and highlight its essential role in regional economic development. For a global network like ours, regional division activities are essential for fostering quality networking and strengthening connections. This conference will showcase our dynamic ecosystem, fostering local innovation and growth while facilitating valuable exchanges between international science parks, innovation zones, and other spaces dedicated to innovation,” added Ebba Lund, IASP Director General.
About IASP
The International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) is the global network for science parks, innovation districts, and other areas of innovation. With members in over 70 countries, it connects professionals who manage innovation ecosystems worldwide and provides services that drive their growth, knowledge sharing, and internationalization. As a non-governmental organization, it has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its headquarters are based in Malaga, Spain.
About Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole
Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole is dedicated to the economic development of the greater Saint-Hyacinthe region (Quebec, Canada). It manages and develops the Cité de l’innovation agroalimentaire, a technology park focused on the food processing and animal health sectors. Spanning nearly 40 million square feet, it is home to a large number of industries and research institutions, higher education establishments, and technology transfer centers specialized in agri-food. It employs over 3,000 professionals linked to the sector, including some 200 world-renowned researchers.
In the photo:
The outgoing President of IASP for North America and Vice President of Tech Parks Arizona, Ms. Carol Stewart, and the Executive Director of Saint-Hyacinthe Technopole, Karine Guilbault.