SmartCommute@rtp Committee
SmartCommute@rtp and Triangle Transit are in the planning stages for this spring’s SmartCommute Challenge campaign (April 15 – May 30). This annual public service campaign encourages Triangle commuters to try a smarter commute to work (ride the bus, bike/walk, carpool, vanpool or telework) to reduce traffic congestion and improve our area’s air quality. This year’s theme is Go Green and with your participation we hope to reduce 1,000 metric tons of CO2 during the six-week campaign. Event sponsors in RTP include Bayer CropScience, Cisco, Eisai, NetApp and RTI International.
Triangle Transit has moved its Regional Transit Center (RTC) from Park Center in RTP to 901 Slater Road in Durham’s Imperial Center. The new RTC is adjacent to RTP. The move necessitated route and schedule changes – visit GoTriangle.org for more information. Additionally, numerous bus stops were added within RTP.
Environment@rtp Committee
The 10th Electronics Recycling Day for RTP employees is scheduled for Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Employees are encouraged to bring outdated electronics to the event including PCs, monitors, laptops, keyboards, printers, cell phone, TVs and more. This will be a great opportunity to recycle your analog televisions (size restrictions apply). Visit www.environmentrtp.org for more information.
Community Outreach@rtp Committee
This new committee hopes to provide opportunities for individuals and companies to volunteer or participate in outreach activities and enable O&T members to build or strengthen outreach champions and initiatives. The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10 at 8:30 am at RTP Headquarters, 12 Davis Drive. Contact Alison Fiori, fiori@rtp.org, for details.
Community Outreach Spotlight:
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) NCSEAA staff members organize an annual event called FAFSA Day in February of each year. In 2008, more than 3,600 prospective college students and their parents received help completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms at 56 locations across North Carolina. FAFSA forms are required for students to be considered for college financial aid, including many state and federal scholarships, grants and low-interest loans. More than 600 volunteer financial aid experts participated in the statewide effort. The event is co-sponsored by College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) and the N.C. Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. FAFSA Day 2009 is scheduled for Saturday, February 21.
Security@rtp Committee
Research Triangle Foundation staff is finalizing the process for emergency notification of owners and tenants in RTP in the event of an emergency situation that affects Park employers and employees. Testing of the system has been completed and staff is working with Durham and Wake Counties on guidelines for initiating the system.
Recreation and Softball Leagues
When you need a break from work, there are plenty of recreational amenities in RTP. In addition to the 14-mile network of jogging and pedestrian trails, there are 12 volleyball courts and 4 softball diamonds.
The RTP Softball League is very active, with 38 coed teams from companies in and around the Park represented in 2008. Registration for the 2009 season closes on February 15, 2009. For more information about the RTP Softball League, check out the RTP Wiki or contact league organizer Andy Miglin.
Techie Tuesdays@rtp
Techie Tuesdays are free events for RTP employees that provide the opportunity for networking and collaboration and enhance the sense of community in RTP. The events have been taking place since 2006 and are a great way to meet fellow RTP employees.
Mardi Gras is the theme for our next Techie Tuesday event scheduled for February 24th, 2009 from 4:30 - 7:30 pm at the Research Triangle Park Headquarters. To RSVP, send an email with your full contact information to events@rtp.org.
Triangle Area Research Directors Council
TARDC is an informal group of scientific leaders from organizations in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina who meet monthly to discuss subjects of interest to the high-impact research community. TARDC has an exciting lineup of speakers scheduled for this spring including:
Dr. Holden Thorp
Chancellor, University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll
Dr. Oliver Smithies
Nobel laureate
Dr. Miguel Nicolelis
Co-director, Center for Neuroengineering, Duke University
To register for these events and to learn more about joining TARDC, please visit www.tardc.org.
2009 IASP World Conference
From June 1-4 2009, RTP will serve as host to the XXVI International Association of Science Parks' World Conference on Science and Technology Parks. The Research Triangle Park Headquarters will serve as one of the venues during the three day conference, the first global carbon neutral conference in the science park industry. IASP 2009 is expected to draw over 800 delegates from science and technology parks around the globe.
THEME: FUTURE KNOWLEDGE ECOSYSTEMS: The Opportunity for Science Parks, Places & Partners
VENUE: The main venue for the conference will be the Raleigh Convention Center. The Welcome Reception on June 1, 2009 will be held at the RTP Headquarters.
SPONSORSHIP: For information on sponsoring the 2009 IASP World Conference, please contact Kevin Johnson or Tina Valdecanas.
For more information, visit www.iasp2009rtp.com.
Did You Know?
2009 is a year of celebrations for the Research Triangle region. As The Research Triangle Park celebrates 50 years of success in the science and technology park movement, many other regional organizations and innnovation resources are celebrating significant milestones alongside RTP:
RTI International - 50th Anniversary
Triangle Area Research Directors Council - 35th Anniversary
National Humanities Center - 30th Anniversary
NC State University Centennial Campus - 25th Anniversary
NC Biotechnology Center - 25th Anniversary
Council for Entrepreneurial Development - 25th Anniversary North Carolina Research Parks Network
North Carolina has a legacy of research park success, concentrating knowledge assets and connecting them to the greater regional and state economy to create economic advantages. The newly formed NC Research Parks Network leverages the unique characteristics of the individual parks that have been established in the state and highlights the diverse strengths of the state’s knowledge resources. The members of the Network work together to frame a number of initiatives and activities around which the group can have an impact and further create economic opportunities across the state.
The Network's mission is "To enhance the state of North Carolina’s global competitive position through a network of science and technology parks focused on collaborative efforts and technology-based economic development."
About The Research Triangle Park
The Research Triangle Park is the leading and largest high technology research and science park in North America, covering 7,000 total acres. Founded in 1959, The Research Triangle Park is developed and managed by the non-profit Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina. The Foundation is responsible for building and maintaining the physical aspects of the Park; attracting and retaining Park companies; and enhancing the competitive position of the Park and the Triangle region.
About RTP Owners & Tenants Association
The Research Triangle Park Owners & Tenants Association (O&T) meets quarterly to discuss issues that are of concern to the owners and tenants in the Park. The current focus of the group is to use O&T as a catalyst to build community and foster collaboration among Park companies. Interested in joining? Contact Karenn Cox for more information.
