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Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 12, No. 4, Aug-Sept, 2002, pp. 47 BI02002 REPORT Kirsty Reed BSc (Hons) PhD, Communications Associate - FMPR Pty Ltd ( www.fmpr.com.au ), AusBiotech Victorian Branch Committee Member Code Number: au02025 Wow! You really do have to experience BIO to fully comprehend it. I assisted Tony Coulepis at BI02002 in Toronto to promote Australian biotechnology on the AusBiotech Booth where we represented 14 'up-and-coming' Australian biotechnology companies (Impedimed, Benitec, CBio, NuPlant, Xenome, NeuroSciences Victoria, Eiffel Technologies, Proteomica, Evogenix, Cerylid, Australian Biotechnology News, 3BearsMedia, and VPAC). It all started with a bang on Saturday June 8th at the Victorian Governments Cocktail party held at the beautiful Royal Ontario Museum. There was much handshaking, smiling and discussion as Australian delegates met old and new acquaintances. Sunday was spent setting up booths in the wonderful Australian Pavilion section of the Exhibitors Hall - which in my biased opinion was the most inviting and clearly identifiable pavilion! In the afternoon and early evening was the Australia/UK/NZ/ Canada cocktail party where more serious international biotechnology discussions began in earnest. Later that evening was the BI02002 Welcome Reception where we were all treated to performances by Cirque du Soleil and offered an amazing variety of food and drinks (a cranberry shandy anyone?). On Monday June 10th, once the Exhibitors' Hall was officially opened, wave after wave of people from all over the world came to find out more about AusBiotech and Australian biotechnology companies. In the ensuing three days I was rushed off my feet fielding a multitude of questions and restocking the 2.5 booths, which AusBiotech was looking after. I didn't think it was possible, but it actually became busier during the wine and cheese and morning tea events sponsored by AusTrade in the Australian Pavilion -these were a great success. Monday night heralded the amazing array of international Hospitality Suites at the Royal York Hotel. There was a plethora of Suites to choose from offering a wide selection of food, beverages and entertainment - not to mention interaction with the other 16,000 odd conference delegates. Having had a very busy day I wasn't really up for loud rock bands or noisy arcade games. I did enjoy the under-the-sea theme at the Queensland Government's Suite though, which was innovative and proved to be very popular. During BI02002 a large number of people commented that Australia had now hit the biotechnology radar map and that that they were very interested in how to keep tabs on what was happening in Australia. Many international delegates and exwere interested in attending the AusBiotech 2002 National Biotechnology Conference, several companies also inquired about exhibiting at the conference as well! Ex-pats also inquired how to find out about biotechnology jobs in Australia in the hope that they could return soon to a booming industry. We were delighted with the response that we received from the companies who exhibited on the AusBiotech Booth. This started off as an 'experiment' and has ended up as a concept that AusBiotech will consider continuing for a number of international meetings. I was certainly incredibly busy for three days on the booth and I was truly amazed at the level of support and interest in AusBiotech, the Australian Pavilion, and in Australian biotechnology in general. I can also testify that Tony Coulepis, yet again, worked tirelessly on the booth, in meetings, presenting at BI02002, and representing AusBiotech and the Australian industry. My one suggestion for next year is a 'national' CD of Australian biotechnology companies. This was the single item that just about everyone who visited the Booth asked for - I hope AusBiotech and our Federal and State Governments and Agencies back this suggestion as it will be a 'winner' at B102003. AusBiotech gratefully acknowledges the generous contribution of FMPR for sponsoring Kirsty's travel and participation at BIO2002 in order to assist with the AusBiotech Booth. Copyright 2002 - AusBiotech The following images related to this document are available:Photo images[au02025f1.jpg] [au02025f2.jpg] |
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