Published: August 01, 2011

BIO International Convention Returns to San Diego in 2014

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WASHINGTON - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and BIOCOM today announced that the BIO International Convention will return to San Diego, Calif. in 2014 on June 24-27.

"San Diego has hosted several of our most successful BIO International Conventions to date and we are thrilled to bring the world's largest gathering of the biotech industry back to 'America's Finest City' in 2014," said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO, producer of the BIO International Convention. "Our Convention draws a global focus to the San Diego region's biotech industry, helping attract continued biotech investment and economic development."

The BIO International Convention typically attracts more than 15,000 industry leaders from 48 states and 60 countries and highlights the latest advancements in biotechnology.

"Hosting this event gives the global life sciences community an opportunity to experience the collegial environment, supportive community and critical mass of research institutes, entrepreneurs and support services that fuel the innovation of our industry, which employs more than 40,000 Southern Californians," said Joe Panetta, President and CEO of BIOCOM, the life sciences trade group representing Southern California.

"As the industry grows around the globe, especially in Asia where governments are investing billions of dollars to create life science clusters, it is important for Southern California's life science cluster to be seen as the gateway to this industry in the United States," Panetta said.

During the 2008 BIO International Convention in San Diego, more than 20,000 attendees spent about $35.3 million in the region's hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses, amounting to over $84.8 million impact on the region, according to the San Diego Convention Center Corp. In 2014, the Convention is expected to bring a similar financial benefit.

"On behalf of the city of San Diego, I'm thrilled to welcome back the BIO International Convention to our bay front," said Mayor Jerry Sanders. "In addition to the enormous economic benefit BIO brings to our region, we enjoy the opportunity to showcase our city and its thriving life science industry on the world stage."

"It's a privilege to host BIO in San Diego once again. San Diego is recognized as one of the nation's top hubs for biotechnology, so this event is a natural fit for our city," said Carol Wallace, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. "We are also known for year-round sunshine and world-class attractions, so we will definitely encourage attendees to plan extra time to stay in San Diego to enjoy all we have to offer."

The 2012 BIO International Convention will take place June 18-21 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Mass. For more information, please visit http://convention.bio.org/2012.aspx. BIO recently announced that the Convention will be returning to Philadelphia, Penn. in 2015 and Chicago, Ill. in both 2013 and 2016.

The BIO International Convention helps to support the association's programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. For more information on the global event for biotechnology, including program, registration, and housing information, please visit http://convention.bio.org.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO India International Partnering Conference
September 21-22, 2011
Hyderabad, India

BIO China International Conference
October 12-13, 2011
Shanghai, China

10^th Annual BIO Investor Forum
October 25-26, 2011
San Francisco, Calif.

BIO-Europe 2011
October 31-November 2, 2011
Duesseldorf, Germany

BIO IP Counsels Committee Fall Conference & Meeting
November 2-4, 2011
New York, NY

BioMalaysia 2011 Conference & Exhibition/
2011 Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
November 21-23, 2011
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

About BIO

BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world's largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, a multiblog platform and monthly newsletter that aims to create an online biotech community where the the industry can connect to discuss the latest news. Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.

For more information:

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