Media - Create Buzz at the Convention

The BIO International Convention is the largest global event for the biotechnology industry and attracts the biggest names in biotech, offers key networking and partnering opportunities, and provides insights and inspiration on major trends affecting the industry.  The Convention in Chicago will be a “can’t miss event” for reporters covering all aspects of the biotechnology and life sciences industries, including investments, policy, state initiatives and economic development, and the international marketplace.

Key Dates:

October 21, 2009 – Housing available online
December 1, 2009 – Advance media registration available
April 23, 2010 – Advance media registration closes
May 1-6, 2010 – Onsite media registration open

PR for Attendees

We recognize that not every attendee will be hosting a booth within the BIO Exhibition. However, attendees have the opportunity to target media with interesting and new stories of innovation, offering interviews with company spokespeople and demonstrations of scientific breakthroughs. 

  When seeking to attract media to cover your company, there are two essential questions to address first:

    • Do you have something unique or new to share with media (such as a new product launch, new innovation, new initiative, etc.)? 
    • Does your company have a unique twist on a current story in the news, do you have information or a unique perspective on a timely topic or issue?

Once you have determined that you have something to share with media, targeting individual reporters or outlets based on their recent coverage or interest area is the easiest and best way to conduct successful media relations.

PR for Exhibitors

Many of you may have been tasked with driving traffic to your booth at the BIO International Convention. There are creative opportunities for you to draw attention to your booth by media releases, drawings, events and booth giveaways.

  • For media releases, we encourage you to submit editorial ideas, product releases, company announcements, op-eds and more to the BIO Show Daily -  the onsite publication at the convention.  Show Daily submissions will be accepted through March 1.  Click here to access the submission site.

  • We encourage you to be creative and consider developing innovative giveaways or “tchotchkes” to hand out at your booth. Giveaways provide a great opportunity to interact with Convention attendees.  You may also want to consider hosting contests or drawings, as well as providing food or beverages to encourage visitors to spend more time in your booth.

  • Other options for generating interest include maximizing interactive outlets such as videos, games or online access to information focused on your company or organization.  Informational handouts also are a simple, yet effective way to extend your reach beyond the booth.  

  • Consider stocking your booth with key research papers, brochures or other materials that help to illustrate your company’s impact on biotechnology.

• We encourage you to have on-hand press materials for those media who may be touring the BIO Exhibition as well as photo release forms so photographers have the ability to include images of your booth in their coverage.

PR for Pavilion Organizers

  • Pavilions offer a special opportunity to attract media to your exhibit and place your story within the context of a particular geographic region or specific focus area.  We encourage you to consider creating materials that offer targeted media potential story ideas that directly impact your region or industry focus. 

• You may also want to issue major announcements related to your area to draw attention and create a tie-in to your Pavilion.  Examples of this type of announcement may include a report focusing on the growth of biotechnology in your area or the economic impact of biotechnology on a specific region.

• Special events such as inviting public officials to your pavilion for a ribbon cutting or announcement are excellent traffic drivers.

• In addition, we encourage your pavilion to participate in the Exhibitor Hospitality Reception on opening day. The Exhibitor Hospitality Receptions will appear on the new BIO Party List, which is an ongoing tally of events during BIO. Continue to check the web site for details.