“AUTM 50: Celebrating Innovation, Empowering Change.”

The Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) celebrated its 50th Anniversary with its largest conference to date, drawing nearly 2,000 attendees to the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center just outside Washington, D.C. This milestone event honored AUTM’s legacy as a pioneering force in technology transfer, bridging the gap between university research and real-world applications that drive economic and social impact.

Founded by visionary pioneers, AUTM has grown into a global network spanning 60 countries, representing over 900 universities, research centers, hospitals, businesses, and government organizations. Over the past 50 years, AUTM has played a vital role in cultivating innovation, supporting startups, and advancing groundbreaking technologies that impact millions of lives worldwide.

The Challenge

AUTM’s 50th Annual Meeting presented several unique challenges that required meticulous planning and execution. The event took place across multiple floors of the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, with spaces that needed to be reconfigured throughout the week. Each room required different setups for various sessions, making it essential to track all adjustments in real-time. Managing communication between AUTM and the in-house AV team was also critical to ensuring a smooth and cohesive production, particularly for high-profile plenary sessions and key breakout discussions. Additionally, the event’s growing scope and multiple rounds of change orders meant that flexibility and responsiveness were key to a successful outcome.

Solutions Vario Provided

To address these challenges, Vario took a hands-on approach from the outset, guiding AUTM through an extensive pre-production process. We developed a comprehensive documentation system to track all room configurations and technical requirements, ensuring every detail was accounted for throughout the week. Our team worked closely with the in-house AV provider, Encore, to coordinate rigging and power needs, allowing for seamless transitions between sessions. We also collaborated with AUTM to ideate multiple Plenary Stage design concepts, ensuring the main sessions delivered a high-impact experience for attendees. As the event evolved, our team adapted to numerous change orders and an expanding scope of work, maintaining the high level of production quality that AUTM required.

Services Provided

• Full AV & Production Support across all major event areas:
  • Plenary Sessions
  • 12 Breakout Rooms
  • Exhibit Hall Booth Support
• Comprehensive Site Visit & Weekly Pre-Production Calls to ensure flawless event execution.
• Plenary Stage Design Concepts: Developed and refined multiple stage designs to align with AUTM’s vision.

Why Vario?

Vario’s attention to detail and proactive approach allowed AUTM to successfully navigate the challenges of a complex, multi-day event. By staying in tune with the client’s evolving needs, Vario ensured a seamless and impactful experience, making the 50th Annual Meeting a fitting tribute to AUTM’s legacy of innovation.