The 23rd International Conference of APTE will take place at the Parque Científico Tecnológico de Gijón/Xixón (Gijón/Xixón Science and Technology Park, PCTG). Organised by the Spanish Association of Science and Technology Parks (APTE), this flagship event brings together professionals, researchers, policymakers and leading stakeholders committed to innovation, technology transfer and economic growth.
The conference aims to foster collaboration, showcase best practices and address the challenges facing science and technology parks, innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship support. Across a wide-ranging programme, participants will explore issues such as innovation strategies, technology transfer, entrepreneurship support, sustainable development, international cooperation and governance. and networking, proporcionando oportunidades para que los participantes intercambien ideas y establezcan alianzas.
By promoting knowledge-sharing, collaboration and innovation-led development, the APTE International Conference has become a cornerstone for the community of science and technology parks.
Technical Network Meeting
and General Assembly
By invitation only
Guided tour of Gijón’s historic old town for early arrivals.
(Departure from a designated meeting point near the hotels.)
20:30 – 21:00
Informal welcome dinner.
Restaurante Amares – Hotel NH Gijón.
By invitation only
9:15
Transfer from hotels to the Science and Technology Park (PCTG)..
During the transfer, there will be a guided visit to the Milla del Conocimiento Margarita Salas in Gijón/Xixón, which includes the Escuela Superior de la Marina Civil, the Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Gijón, Zona Intra, Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura, the Atlantic Botanic Garden of Gijón and the Cabueñes University Hospital.
The itinerary will then continue with a visit to Enclave INTRA (within PCTG), the Park’s expansion in La Pecuaria, and Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura, passing through areas redeveloped by Gijón Impulsa.
There will be a stop at the main entrance (C/ Luis Moya Blanco, no. 82, 33203 Gijón) for a short walk and an in situ introduction to the Science and Technology Park. Afterwards, the group will proceed on foot to the meeting venue: LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial (C/ Los Prados, 121, 33203 Gijón).
10:30 – 10:45
Registration.
Foyer – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial
10:30
Welcome by Deputy Mayor Ángela Pumariega.
11:00 – 12:00
Round Table:
«Topic: R&D&I infrastructures in science and technology parks»
- Modera: Lole Franco González, Head of Communication at APTE
- Participants:
– Teresa Jiménez Cabaco, Manager of the Science Park of the University of Salamanca.
– José Luis Canito Lobo, Managing Director at FUNDECYT – Science and Technology Park of Extremadura.
– José Luis Grande Quesada, jefe de la Unidad de Gestión de Espacios I+D+i del Parc UPC.
Sala Chill Out – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial
12:00 – 14:00
Meeting of APTE technical staff.
Sala Chill Out – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial
13:30 – 16:30
Executive Committee del Comité Ejecutivo de APTE.
Sala Columnas – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
14:00 – 16:30
Networking de Red de Técnicos/as de APTE.
Sala Chill Out – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial
16:30 – 18:30
APTE General Assembly.
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
18:30
Transfer from LABoral Centro de Arte to the hotels.
The organisers will meet participants at various meeting points near the hotels and accompany them on foot to the restaurant.
20:00
Bustransfer from hotels to Sidrería Tierra Astur Poniente
20:30 – 21:00
Traditional espicha at Sidrería Tierra Astur Poniente.
(C/ Mariano Pola, no. 10, 33212 Gijón).
23:30
Bus transfer from Sidrería Tierra Astur Poniente to the hotels.
Open to the public
9:15 – 9:30
Participant registration registration.
Foyer – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
9:30 – 9:50
Official opening with contributions by:
- Carmen Moriyón Entrialgo, Mayor of Gijón/Xixón.
- Juan Carlos Campo, Deputy Minister of Industry, Innovation and University of the Principality of Asturias..
- Juan Antonio Tébar Chumillas, Director of Innovation Policies at CDTI.
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
9:50 – 10:00
Welcome speech by Felipe Romera Lubias, President of APTE.
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
10:00 – 10:30
International Opening Lecture:
"Innovation and Blue Economy: The UPTEC model and its regional impact".
- Speaker: Susana Pinheiro, Head of Business Development – Sciences, UPTEC Universidade do Porto.
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
10:30 – 11:30
Round Table 1:
"Technological ecosystems for a smart blue economy".
- Moderator: Clara Gálvez Verdú, Director of Internal Control and Procurement at Málaga TechPark.
- Participants:
– Pablo Bou Mira, Business Development Manager – Blue NetCat (PUPC)
– Miguel Ângelo Araújo Carvalho Fernandes, Executive Director – Flowtech (UPTEC)
– Marcos Viñuela García, CEO y Founder Simbiosys, S. L. – VRT4 Port (PCTG)
– Jaime Baucells Granell, Sales Director – MEGA Fortris Group.
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
11:30 – 12:00
Coffee break and networking.
Sala Chill Out – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial
12:00 – 13:00
Round Table 2:
"Blue employment, STEM talent and new professional profiles".
- Moderator: Rubén González Rodríguez, Director of the Gijón Azul Chair.
- Participants:
– Julián Camus Bergareche, director – Centro Seguridad Marítima Jovellanos
– Lucía Fraga Lago, Coordinator of the Training Area
– José Antonio Juanes de la Peña, Director of Strategies – Head of the Hydrobiology and Environmental Management Area – IH Cantabria, Environmental Hydraulics Institute of the University of Cantabria (PCTCAN).
– Alfredo Alcayde García, Deputy Director of Industrial Engineering at the Higher School of Engineering – University of Almería (Science and Technology Park of Almería).
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
13:00 – 13:30
Closing reflection.
"25 years of the Science and Technology Park and its blue projection".
- Ángela Pumariega Menéndez, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Economy, Employment, Tourism and Innovation of Gijón/Xixón.
- Luis Díaz Gutiérrez, Managing Director of Gijón Impulsa, managing body of the Science and Technology Park.
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
13:30 – 13:50
Awards Ceremony.
- Award for Best Practice in Science and Technology Parks, 2025..
- Award for the Most Active Parks in the APTE Technical Network, 2025.
- Award for the Promotion of Science and Technology Parks in the Spanish Press, 2025.
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
13:50 – 14:00
PTE flag handover to the host park of the 2026 Conference.
Official closing by Felipe Romera Lubias, President of APTE.
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
14:00 – 15:30
Lunch
Sala Plató – LABoral Centro de Arte y Creación Industrial.
15:30 – 17:00
Visit to Universidad Laboral – Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura.
More information
Event registration
What is APTE?
The Spanish Association of Science and Technology Parks (APTE) was founded in 1989 as a non-profit organisation. Its main goal is to promote science and technology parks to drive productive diversification, technological progress and economic development. It currently brings together 61 member parks across Spain: 53 full members, 4 affiliates and 4 collaborating members. In 2024, these parks hosted 6,000 organisations with a turnover of €31.576 billion, employing more than 168,462 people, 42,170 of them dedicated to R&D.
Parque Científico
Tecnológico Gijón/Xixón
Inaugurated in October 2000 by Gijón City Council, the Science and Technology Park (PCTG) will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025. It was the first park promoted by a municipal government in Spain, and has since become a key driver of economic, social and technological development in Asturias. Today, it is home to more than 220 organisations, including startups, technology centres and established companies, active in sectors such as biotechnology, engineering, digitalisation and renewable energy.
The Park is the cornerstone of the Milla del Conocimiento Margarita Salas, a one-mile innovation district that brings together companies and public institutions where science and technology coexist with art and culture. It is currently undergoing a 228,000 m² expansion project, set to double its size.
Gijón/Xixón
Gijón/Xixón, the largest city in Asturias, lies on the Cantabrian coast, close to Oviedo and Avilés. Its history blends pre-Roman, Roman, mining and maritime roots, reflected in Cimavilla, San Lorenzo beach and Santa Catalina Hill with Chillida’s Elogio del Horizonte. The city offers both a privileged natural environment and a wealth of cultural facilities, including Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura, the Aquarium and the Atlantic Botanic Garden.
Principality of Asturias
Asturias, known as Spain’s “Natural Paradise”, is a single-province autonomous community with just over one million inhabitants. It is bordered by the Cantabrian Sea, Galicia, León and Cantabria. Its name derives from the noble title Prince of Asturias, established in 1388. Oviedo is the seat of its institutions, while Gijón is its largest city. This destination offers a wide range of leisure and tourism experiences: from mountains and glacial lakes to charming villages, vibrant cities and crystal-clear beaches – something to suit every taste.
How to get there
Gijón/Xixón enjoys excellent air, rail, bus and road connections.
Airport
Asturias Airport (OVD), 40 km from Gijón, offers hourly ALSA bus services (45 min, ~€9) and taxis (30 min, ~€50).
Train
The city has two train stations with RENFE and FEVE services to Madrid, Barcelona and Alicante, as well as regional routes.
Bus
ALSA runs direct buses to Madrid, Santander, León, Barcelona and Bilbao.
Car
Gijón is well connected by motorways and major roads, including the A-8/A-66, A-64, A-63, AS-1 and AS-2.
Accommodation
La organización proporcionará un código de descuento para la reserva.
Habrá un autobús disponible desde y hacia el Parque Científico Tecnológico desde los hoteles del centro de Gijón.
All rates are per night and subject to availability at the time of booking, according to each hotel’s allocation for the event.
– Rates valid only for reservations made directly with the hotels, indicating the event reference.
– Further information about the hotels is available on their websites: www.gijoncongresos.com / www.asturiascongresos.com.
