Milestones 2004

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In the years to come, the contributions of your industry will help us to win the war on terror, will help us to fight hunger around the world and will help us to save countless lives with new medicines. - U.S. President George W. Bush, BIO 2003 Plenary Speaker

BIO 2003

BIO 2003 TAKES INDUSTRY TO NEW HEIGHTS

With record attendance, international media coverage, a keynote speech by President Bush and an unprecedented number of U.S. and foreign government leaders, BIO 2003 elevated the profile of biotechnology and its contributions to human health, the environment and the U.S. economy.

More than 16,000 attendees from 57 countries and 47 states participated in the convention, which included more than 1,000 speakers discussing business development, science and regulatory affairs, global health, bioethics and patient advocacy. The exhibit hall featured 1,268 displays.

More than 16,000 biotechnology executives, scientists,
policymakers and journalists attended BIO 2003.

Seven countries were represented for the first time: Armenia, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malawi and Mauritius.

Some 500 journalists registered for the convention, which, for the first time, provided a fully equipped television and radio studio. Convention highlights were broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers and listeners around the world.

New treatments and products resulting from biotechnology are not only achieving breakthroughs in the lab, they are making growing contributions to our economy, our homeland and national defense, and our public lives — helping us live better lives than ever before. - U.S. Food and Drug Commissioner Mark McClellan, BIO 2003 Plenary Speaker

The Bush address marked the first time that a U.S. president had appeared before a BIO event, and his remarks were extraordinarily supportive. "My administration is committed to working with your industry so that the great powers of biotechnology can serve the true interests of our nation and mankind," he said, urging industry leaders to tackle problems in biodefense, health care and agriculture.

In addition to President Bush, several other high-ranking U.S. government leaders spoke at BIO 2003, including Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Mark McClellan, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). Additionally, nine U.S. state governors attended the conference, seeking to attract biotech development to their states.

BIO 2003 featured BIO's largest-ever exhibit hall, with
345,000 square feet and 1,268 displays.
Thirty-eight regions hosted pavilions.

Ladies and gentlemen, we need and want to put your best ideas in service to protect our country. - U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, BIO 2003 Plenary Speaker

INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION UP

BIO 2003 also attracted more than 40 non-U.S. government officials — a record — including ambassadors, cabinet ministers and provincial premiers.

Like the governors and Washington officials who put BIO 2003 on their calendars, politicians around the world recognize the growing importance of biotechnology for their constituents. They came to Washington to talk about what's going on in biotech in their countries, to speak at convention events such as the Global Forum, and to schedule meetings with governors and other U.S. politicians. Several had meetings on Capitol Hill.

BIO 2004 in San Francisco will likely draw even more international leaders, particularly from the Asia-Pacific region.

More than 500 reporters covered BIO 2003, including a record number of broadcast journalists.	Hundreds of newspapers ran stories on President Bush's speech at BIO 2003.
Some 2,500 job seekers flocked to the BIO 2003 Career Fair to meet recruiters from 52 of the world's top biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.	NBA star Jerry Stackhouse of the Washington Wizards joined BIO in hosting HealthFest, a BIO 2003 community event on the National Mall. HealthFest celebrated healthy living and biomedical research with more than 100 interactive exhibits from health and science organizations.