In May, 16,000-20,000 people will descend on Atlanta for the 2009 BIO International Convention, but organizers are casting a spotlight on more than just the Georgia capital.
The Biotechnology Industry Organization, the national trade group that arranges the yearly international convention, is teaming up with Southeast BIO, a regional trade group, to help promote the Southeast as a life sciences hub.
Southeast BIO has created an online database of 1,200 companies around the region.
Using the Southeast BIOtech Connect Web site, attendees can schedule visits with potential partners before arriving in Atlanta. The site will remain in place after the conference to help manage follow-up collaboration.
“BIO attendees, particularly international visitors, very much need an efficient resource like the Southeast BIOtech Connect tool to create a trip agenda that meets their needs,” said Robbi Lycett, vice president of conventions and conferences at BIO. “We appreciate the project from Southeast BIO.”
Attendees from about 70 countries are expected at the event.
Registrants can sign up to network with certain companies during the conference May 18-21, but site visits must be scheduled before or after those days.
The Southeast BIOtech Connect Web database has a search function that is filterable by seven states and 15 sectors and organization types like biofuels, academic institutions, biotech, medical devices and more.
Click here to see the database or here to visit the Southeast BIO homepage.
