printWith only a few days to go until we cut the ribbon for the 2009 BIO International Convention [2], our staff is a controlled frenzy - if there is such a thing. It will be a terrific event! Despite the fact that the economy will depress our registration number, the quality will be up to our usual standards and will feature great exhibits [3] from around the world, 170 panel discussions [4], and Super Sessions on the state of the biotech industry by Steve Burrill and Ernst & Young [5]. We'll have a keynote address by entertainer and philanthropist Sir Elton John on biotechnology and HIV/AIDS [6] on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we’ll have a dynamite plenary panel on health care reform [6] featuring former Senate Majority Leaders and health policy wonks Daschle and Frist, and, to add a dash of political insight and an ignition spark, Howard Dean and Karl Rove. To relax in the evenings we'll be either in Centennial Olympic Park [7] (or the Georgia Dome [8] depending on the weather) with the B 52's for the welcome reception [9] on Monday, at the Georgia Aquarium [10] for the Gala Reception [9] on Wednesday, and we'll be rock n rollin' at the closing party [9]at the Tabernacle [11] on Thursday. Be sure to check out the CAVEman exhibit [12] with way cool 4D virtual reality human biology map (in booth 4561 of hall B4).
See you in Atlanta! --Jim