2016 BIO International Convention Sets New Record for Partnering Meetings
June 27, 2016
The 2016 BIO International Convention, the global event for biotechnology, concluded today at Moscone Center in San Francisco, with his year’s convention hosting 35,700 partnering meetings, a new record for the event.
Organized by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the event drew 15,937 industry leaders from 76 countries and 48 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“This year’s BIO International Convention was a tremendous success, and together we challenged ourselves to imagine a better world for patients, for the environment and for society. We were thrilled to be back in San Francisco with industry, government and academia from across the globe to pursue biotechnology’s potential to solve some of the world most pressing problems,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.
He added, “From our outstanding keynote speakers, to the record number of partnering meetings, the 2016 Convention was a resounding success. This event continues to provide biotech leaders with the opportunity to showcase the best of our industry and form connections and partnerships that will drive growth in the sector for years to come.”
One of the event’s highlights was a keynote that Greenwood moderated with actor, producer, musician, and philanthropist Will Smith and Dr. Bennet Omalu, the forensic pathologist Smith played in the movie, “Concussion.”
The next day’s keynote featured the Honorable Newt Gingrich, former CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley and former senior advisor to President Obama, Stephanie Cutter.
Educational programming included more than 800 speakers in 157 sessions, which addressed the latest business opportunities, breakthroughs in medicine, diagnostics, the environment, energy production, food and agriculture and more.
The BIO Business Forum hosted a record-breaking 35,700 One-on-One Partnering™ meetings with more than 3,400 companies participating and featured 192 company presentations.
The BIO Exhibition featured more than 1,800 exhibitors with 50 international, regional and state pavilions and seven product focus zones. The Innovation Zone, featuring Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grantees from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) has tripled in size since its inception in 2014.
The 2017 BIO International Convention will take place June 19-22, 2017 in San Diego at the San Diego Convention Center.
“We are looking forward to welcoming BIO back to California and to showcase Southern California’s vibrant biotech sector,” said Joe Panetta, president and CEO of BIOCOM.
He added, “With more than 1,100 life sciences companies and more than 80 independent and university affiliated research institutes, we offer abundant opportunities in research, development, manufacturing and commercialization.”
The 2018 BIO International Convention will take place June 4-7 in Boston at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The 2019 BIO International Convention will take place June 3-6 in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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