Biotechnology's contributions to a cleaner, more sustainable world will be highlighted during the 2008 BIO International Convention. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the global event for biotechnology will take place June 17-20, 2008 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.
"The biotechnology industry strives to create new, cleaner, more sustainable ways in which to fuel the world," said Brent Erickson, BIO's executive vice president, Industrial and Environmental Section. "The 2008 BIO International Convention will help put a spotlight on the latest innovations in biofuels and other sustainable energy sources."
The Leadership Summit on Biofuels and Cleantech will bring together industry leaders to discuss how biofuels and cleantech technology-related business models are offering returns for investors and customers while addressing energy and environmental global challenges.
Taking place Monday, June 16 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., the half-day summit will include two general sessions featuring key CEOs and global thought leaders followed by roundtables titled "Sustainable Biofuels: Where Do We Go From Here?" and "The Biotech Cleantech Nexxus." The Summit will provide a valuable opportunity to walk away with insight, business opportunities and relationships that catalyze the growth into new biotechnology and cleantech markets.
The future of environmentally-friendly travel will be on display on the BIO Exhibition floor. The North Carolina BIOFlight plane, which uses a blend of car gas and biofuels, will make the trip from Kitty Hawk to Lindbergh Field in San Diego courtesy of the Biofuels Center of North Carolina. The aircraft is just one example of the capabilities and potential that biotechnology and biofuels have to offer.
Additionally, the Industrial and Environmental education track will provide a number of sessions highlighting the multiple aspects of biotechnology, energy and the environment. A few sessions include:
– The Business of Climate Change -This session will focus on legislation, and legal issues and incentives, to highlight for the biotech industry how best to exploit opportunities and avoid risks as the race to create technically and economically viable alternative biofuels intensifies.
– Realizing Lignocellulosic Biofuels-Socioeconomic, Environmental and Policy Challenges – Learn about the environmental benefits and costs of large-scale LC biofuel production, particularly with respect to carbon neutrality, nitrogen use, water requirements and the risks versus benefits of introducing new technology.
– It's Not Only Energy: The Chemical is a Key Driver in Building Clean-tech Clusters – Discuss the driving forces toward industrial biotechnology in the chemical industry. Is it innovation and new materials or substitution of petrochemistry?
– The US Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Centers: Transformational Science Fueling the Future – Learn about the three proposed DOE centers, their research agendas and their objectives.
The BIO International convention will highlight how biotechnology, the life sciences, investments, policy, and the international community work together to heal, fuel, and feed the world. This year, the day pattern will change to Tuesday through Friday (previously, the convention was held Sunday through Wednesday).
The convention features more than 200,000 square feet of exhibitions showcasing the latest advancements in biotechnology alongside an array of potential partners, service providers, and state and international delegations. The 2008 convention also will include more than 175 breakout sessions, keynotes from global leaders, business partnering meetings, and several networking events.
BIO anticipates more than 20,000 industry leaders, government officials, and others will attend the 2008 International Convention. The convention was last held in San Diego in 2001 and attracted 14,731 professionals. In 2007, the convention attracted 22,366 attendees and exhibitors with approximately one-third from countries outside the U.S. The 2007 event also hosted more than 300 domestic and international public officials including seven U.S. governors.
