Philadelphia is solidfying itself as a major player to host events, booking the world’s largest trade association in 2019.
Industry Organization (BIO), which represents biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations around the world. The convention is the largest, biotech meeting in the world; the event also took place in Philly this past June.
June’s convention drew nearly 16,000 industry leaders from 69 countries, 47 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. It also hosted 29,279 partnering meetings—a new record.
“BIO 2015 was a resounding success, making Philadelphia a natural choice for hosting future conventions. From the region’s incredibly engaged and thriving life sciences community, to the attendee and exhibitor experience at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and the exceptional support of city and state leaders, Philadelphia was the perfect backdrop for this year’s convention,” says Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of BIO. “We are looking forward to returning to the city of Philadelphia in 2019.”
Its return to Philadelphia in 2019 is expected to fill more than 27,000 hotel room nights and generate more than $41 million in economic impact for the Philadelphia region.
“Prior to 2015, BIO was last held in Philadelphia in 2005,” says Jack Ferguson, president and CEO of PHLCVB. “After a 10-year hiatus, their decision to rebook Philadelphia for two years within mere months of hosting one of their most successful conventions here speaks volumes about their experience and solidifies Philadelphia’s standing as a major player within the global convention industry.”
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware have consistently ranked among the top 10 life sciences clusters and collectively generate 15 percent of the region’s economic activity, contributing to Philadelphia’s appeal as a host city for the convention.
“This year, we were proud to host the most significant biotechnology meeting in the world which brought leaders in industry, government and academia to the Pennsylvania Convention Center to consider biotechnology’s potential,” says John McNichol, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center. “This meeting was expertly managed by our facility operator SMG and BIO left a tremendous impact on our regional economy. We look forward to reaching new heights when BIO returns to the Convention Center in 2019.”
