June 15, 2015
By Riley McDermid, BioSpace.com Breaking News Sr. Editor
More than 15,000 life sciences and biotech leaders have descended on Philadelphia for the 2015 Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) International Convention, prompting Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter to declare Monday BIO Superhero Day.
The attendees come from more than 65 countries and 47 states and will attend a variety of programming, panel, industry networking events and pavilion filled with industry business booths from Monday to Thursday. At night, attendees will enjoy receptions, sightseeing and concerts featuring artists like Kool and The Gang.
“Our hospitality community stands ready to roll out the red carpet for the more than 15,000 projected attendees who will generate $43.3 million in economic impact for our city,” said Jack Ferguson, president and chief executive of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau said in a statement.
Hosted by BIO, an industry community and lobbying group, the event is hotly anticipated throughout the year and well attended. It also gives the city a chance to showcase some of biotech’s most interesting and effective advances in the last year, including panels on the Ebola epidemic and venture capital.
“We are extremely excited to be bringing the 2015 BIO International Convention back to Philadelphia,” said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO, in a statement. “In addition to the economic benefits to the city, it is a unique opportunity to showcase the region’s world-class biotechnology ecosystem on a global stage. This year, we will be highlighting the ‘super heroes’ of our industry — men and women whose actions move us closer every day to new cures, therapies and innovations that will change people’s lives.”
Local civic leaders will also be attending, including the state’s governor, who will come to BIO for the first time since his election
“Gov. Wolf will highlight his plans for continued growth of the biotechnology sector. The industry is a major driver of high-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians, with more than 78,000 employed in the industry statewide,” said Jeff Sheridan, Wolf’s press secretary, in a statement to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“The governor’s budget proposal includes a reinvestment in higher education and community colleges that will help prepare Pennsylvania’s workforce for jobs that pay and ensure that employers are finding people with the right skills to fill these positions right here.”
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