BIO Announces Future BIO International Convention Venues

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today announces future locations
of the BIO International Convention. The Convention next heads to Chicago for
the 2010 BIO International Convention, being held May 3-6 at McCormick Place.
The Convention was last held in Chicago in 2006.

"We are excited to bring the world`s largest gathering of the biotechnology
industry to Chicago in 2010. Chicago and the Midwest region are home to a robust
biotech hub and a thriving academic community. The Convention will help showcase
the regional biotechnology community and drive further biotech investment
throughout the Midwestern United States," said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO
of BIO, producer of the BIO International Convention. "The Convention draws a
global focus to the host region`s biotech community, helping attract continued
biotech investment."

"Those of us in the Midwest`s diverse biosciences community are enthusiastic
about the return of the BIO International Convention," said David Miller,
President and CEO of iBIO and the iBIO Institute. "Chicago is an ideal
international showcase for our medical, agricultural, and industrial biotech
contributions, and the Convention remains the best event on the planet for
learning and sharing with colleagues from around the world."

The BIO International Convention typically brings more than $30 million in
economic impact to the city in which the event is held. This includes direct
spending, tax revenue and hotel room nights during the Convention.

Future cities and dates include:

Chicago, Ill. - May 3-6, 2010
Washington, DC - June 27-30, 2011
Boston, Mass. - June 18-21, 2012

For future conventions, BIO has chosen a Monday - Thursday day pattern. Monday -
Thursday is a good pattern for the event because it allows for at least three
full days of BIO Business Forum partnering, ample networking and education for
the diverse topics and affiliated events that are hosted in conjunction with the
BIO International Convention.

The Convention attracts approximately 20,000 industry leaders and 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 2009 Convention included 170 breakout
sessions, keynotes from global leaders, business partnering meetings, and
numerous networking events.

The BIO International Convention helps to support the association`s programs and
initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that
enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world
through biotechnology innovation. For more information on the global event for
biotechnology, including program, registration, and housing information, please
visit http://convention.bio.org.

About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions,
state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States
and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and
development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental
biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the
world`s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with
industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

Upcoming BIO Events

BIO Investor Forum
October 28-29, 2009
San Francisco, CA

Advanced Business Development Course
October 30, 2009
Vienna, Austria

BIO Europe International Partnering Conference
November 2-4, 2009
Vienna, Austria

Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
November 8-11, 2009
Honolulu, HI

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Tracy Krughoff, 202-312-9274

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