Live from BIO -- The Wrap-Up (Sample 3)

Thursday, 6/19/08

Thursday felt a lot like yesterday, except the show traffic seemed to have dwindled.  A slow morning in my company's booth allowed me to spend most of the day exploring the show.  It was my responsibility to take care of my company's PR for our Midwest region by myself since my companion was stuck in the flooding in

 Cedar Rapids, IA.  As I worked my way fervently through the myriad booths, I often felt overwhelmed by the technology that each organization embraced to make sure that everyone stopped in to visit their display.  Some companies used standard techniques for their business development such as pens, marketing literature, and knowledgeable reps, while some used more unique tactics.  The Austria booth, for example, handed out boomerangs since many people mix them up with Australia. Another company had an hour long line to receive a free pair of Crocs.

When the show closed in the evening, I decided to relax for the first time in days.  A quiet dinner with a few co-workers topped off a whirlwind week full of networking and learning.  My flight leaves on Friday morning so I won't be dropping in during the waning hours of the show.

Everyone says that BIO is a big party where CEOs, scientists, and business people go to take a vacation from their jobs, but if you are dedicated to making the most of your trip, it can be incredibly exhausting.  There are many speakers, meetings, and evening events to keep everyone busy the entire week.  It was great to see that the State of Indiana had such a large presence and hopefully this will help continue the string of life

science "wins" we've seen in the past few years for the state.

Next year's show will be in Atlanta in May and hopefully I will be selected by my company to attend again.  If not, then I'm sure we will have plenty of blogging activity from others who will be representing the IHIF and the State of Indiana.

This all may then be passed through RSS feeds or to whatever web portals for reading, broadcasted and help with companies SEO efforts. 

Live from BIO (Sample 2)

Wednesday, 6/18/08

Day two on the tradeshow floor was busy as expected and it also allowed me the first opportunity to step out of my company's booth and walk the floor.  Stopping by the Indiana Pavilion first, I was able to greet a few friends as well as meet some who were new to me.  It was obvious that those in the Indiana booth are working hard since two different representatives visited me in my company booth to make sure I was wearing my Indiana magnet!  Today is the longest day of the show as the State of Indiana dinner was scheduled in the evening.  The IEDC did an excellent job of securing prime real estate for the dinner on top of the Western Metal Supply Company Building which is now a part of PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres.  Views of the ballpark, downtown, and the San Diego Bay only accentuated the already fantastic dinner.

At the commencement of the dinner, a large group of attendees topped off the evening with a journey to Altitude, one of San Diego's hottest nightspots which is located on the roof of the Mariott.  I think it is safe to say that all in attendance had a great time at both the dinner and at the after party.  The longest day at BIO is over and tomorrow will bring our last full day at the conference.

This entry would be informative for those attending the event from Indiana about the happenings for the state at BIO.  I would make a note as a participant from Indiana at next years BIO to attend the state dinner and after hour functions.  You will see that in the blog the creator can embed links wit in their posting that would be useful for event participants and readers.  Another example of simple and useable content.

Live from BIO (Sample 1)

Tuesday, 6/17/08

Hello!  Brandon Emkes here giving the IHIF a quick report on the recent BIO meeting in San Diego.  BIO 2008 kicked off with a slurry of activity yesterday as the career fair kept employers busy until 9:00 PM.  Today, the trade show opened for the first time at 3:00 PM and the large crowd waiting at the door quickly spread throughout the San Diego Convention Center to see the latest innovations in Biotechnology.  Opening day on the trades how floor was less about doing business and more about picking up freebies and partaking in the occasional cocktail.  Foreign country pavilions such as the Czech Republic, Australia, and Ireland were handing out drinks representative of their culture.  The first day of BIO is always a fun one as most of the work is done during the longest days of the meeting.

The above blog entry was compose by my friend and colleague Brandon Emkes with Kelley Scientific Services .   I am posting his blog along side the my entry as an example of new media access and engagement by participants of events like BIO.  Brandon's entry gives a personal feel and insight to one person's experience, thoughts and education at an event.  This entry will be followed by several more I hope they will serve as a format for our IHIF New Media Initiative discussion. Just think of the potential for RSS feeds and blog entries of this type to add to the involvement and experience at this months Innovention 2008 Conference.