Tampa, FL – June 5, 2025
The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) is thrilled to begin the countdown for their 14th Annual Conference taking place this month on June 23-26th at the Loews Hotel in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia. The three day event will feature inventors, leaders, and visionaries from across the innovation ecosystem discussing topics and sharing best practices in relation to this year’s conference theme “Forward Together: Innovating with Purpose”. The conference will also include the induction of the newest class of NAI Fellows and Senior Members. These world class innovators will be recognized for their impactful societal and economic contributions in dedicated ceremonies.
The event will kick off with a reception welcoming attendees and speakers to the city of Atlanta, where innovation and the arts work hand in hand. Host institutions Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Morehouse School of Medicine, and University of Georgia will showcase unique performances, including featured flutist Kelly Catlin, and artworks during this interactive reception, highlighting the vibrant culture and innovative spirit of Atlanta.
“Powered by innovative businesses and groundbreaking ideas, Atlanta is the ideal host city for NAI’s Annual Conference,” said Charlene Lopez, executive vice president and chief sales officer, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Between professional development and educational sessions, we hope attendees have the opportunity to discover Atlanta’s award-winning culinary scene, must-see attractions and diverse and walkable neighborhoods.”
Panel discussions and keynote speeches will begin on Tuesday and continue through Thursday, with a powerhouse line-up of innovation, industry, and government leaders who will provide insights, guidance, and discuss today’s most pressing issues facing the innovation landscape. Featured speakers and panelists include Coke Morgan Stewart, Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); Erwin Gianchandani, Assistant Director for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships at the National Science Foundation (NSF); Anthony Pugliese, Director of the Office of Technology Commercialization at the US Department of Energy (DOE); Andrei Iancu, HonNAI, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Former Director of the USPTO; and Sethuraman Panchanathan, FNAI, Former Director of NSF.
Panel discussions will cover a variety of topics from across the innovation ecosystem, including:
- Collaboration between government, university, and industry leaders and how they are driving real-world impact
- Strategies and best practices from leading innovative universities on how to become innovation powerhouses
- A look at how NSF-funded initiatives are fueling innovation and driving societal and economic impact
- How institutions are moving discoveries from lab to marketplace
- Cutting-edge and emerging innovations, including AI enabled discoveries
- Guidance from government agencies, such as the US DOE and Department of Defense, on understanding agency priorities and compliance concerns related to research security and innovation protection
- An in-depth look at the University of California system’s innovation strategy, barriers, and breakthroughs and what other inventive institutions can glean from their lessons learned
- Insights from top university leaders—including presidents and vice presidents of research—as they share how their institutions are navigating innovation, funding, and faculty support in today’s rapidly evolving environment
“This year’s program is one of our strongest yet and I’m thrilled by the spectacular group of speakers and panelists who will be sharing their insights from a variety of perspectives”, said Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of NAI. “The discussions that will be taking place at this year’s conference are incredibly important and will help shape how we move innovation forward in a landscape that is continuously evolving.”
Honorary and Inventor Inductees
While acting as the leading innovation forum, the Annual Conference also celebrates the incredible individuals and institutions who are driving innovation forward. Among these individuals are the incoming prestigious classes of NAI Senior Members and Fellows, who will be inducted during the event in special ceremonies on Wednesday and Thursday evening, respectively.
This year’s class of Senior Members is comprised of 162 emerging innovators, representing 64 NAI Member Institutions from across the country. NAI Senior Membership recognizes active faculty, scientists, and administrators with success in patents, licensing, and commercialization who have produced technologies that have brought or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. The Senior Member class will be inducted into the Academy by Elizabeth Dougherty, HonNAI, Regional Outreach Director of the USPTO’s Northeast Regional Outreach Office.
This year, NAI welcomes 170 new Fellows who represent a truly outstanding caliber of inventors. NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors and recognizes inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society. Coke Morgan Stewart, Acting Director of the USPTO, will induct the newest class of Fellows into the Academy and award them their Fellow’s medal during the ceremony.
The conference also includes several prestigious awards, including:
- The Office of Technology Commercialization | Department of Energy/NAI Innovator of the Year Award, highlighting the contributions of of DOE innovators
- The Yogi and Lovely Goswami Achievement Award in Energy and Sustainability, celebrating an inventor making indelible impacts in sustainable energy solutions
- The Genpsiration Prize, honoring excellence in student innovation in the K-12 and university categories
- The Dr. Barry B. Bercu Biomedical Collegiate Inventor Prize, recognizing promising student inventions in the field of biomedicine
- NAI Chapter of Excellence Award, honoring a stand out NAI Chapter for their dedication to the Academy’s mission
- The Sentinel Award, acknowledging individuals whose actions and support help fulfill the NAI’s mission to continually recognize inventors and enhance the visibility of technology and innovation
- And the Founder’s Award, which honors instrumental individuals and institutions who have dedicated themselves to the Academy’s mission since its inception and have been fundamental in shaping its vision and impact
The conference will conclude with the Academy’s annual gala, a celebration honoring the incredible innovators, leaders, and partners that make the Academy’s work possible. The gala will include the State of the Academy Address delivered by NAI President Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, and a special exclusive preview of the 2026 Annual Conference.Registration for NAI’s 14th Annual Conference is still open. To view the full agenda and register today, click here. To secure your room at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, hub of the Annual Conference, book here.