Question: What does it take to successfully host the largest biotechnology event in the world? Answer: A world-class facility, service excellence, a beautiful waterfront destination and year-round sunshine - in other words - San Diego.
“this was the best convention ever!..."
- Robbi Lycett, vice president, conventions and conferences for BIO |
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The San Diego Convention Center welcomed the BIO 2008 International Convention June 17-20, and by all accounts, it was a huge success. More than 20,000 attendees from 70 countries and 48 states gathered in Diego - a 36% increase from the last time BIO came to San Diego in 2001.
"We had a very successful convention in San Diego," said Robbi Lycett, vice president, conventions and conferences for BIO. “Thanks to the San Diego Convention Center staff, vendors and the beautiful destination, our attendees and exhibitors were thrilled and told BIO ‘this was the best convention ever!’”
Hosting BIO 2008 was a natural fit for San Diego, one of the leading biotechnology regions internationally and among the top three in the U.S. San Diego’s own Mayor Jerry Sanders offered welcoming remarks and cut the ribbon to officially open the exhibit halls, which featured the largest gathering of exhibitors in BIO’s history, with more than 2,100 companies - including 126 that were new - using more than 208,000 square feet of exhibition space.
 “The San Diego Convention Center, hotels and other vendors in San Diego were very accommodating, easy to work with and we enjoyed getting to know them and working with them over the past year,” said Lycett. “It was a pleasure and the San Diego Convention Center staff made our job so much easier because of their experience, expertise and willingness to do ‘whatever it takes’ to help us have a successful convention. A big thanks to all!”
As BIO 2008 attendees discovered for themselves, one of the best things about having a convention in San Diego is…San Diego! Attendees experienced a variety of entertainment, recreation, and cultural activities during their four-day stay. BIO also had an exclusive block party for over 4,000 guests in the historic Gaslamp Quarter across the street from the Convention Center - a fun and exciting entertainment option that the Convention Center’s Convention Services team can help our clients with. |
