I have been a little quiet over the last week or two, not least due to the fact that I was out of the country, in Europe, attending the 2015 edition of the BioFIT event which was held in Strasbourg this year. It's a really nice time of year to be in Europe, especially in Strasbourg, home to the biggest and most renowned Christmas market in France. Unfortunately, recent events in France (and elsewhere) caused security issues to be top-of-mind, in total contrast to the meaning and message of Christmas, but that has become more-or-less normal in today's changed world.
You know, after attending the huge American BIO meeting in Philadelphia this summer, there was something charmingly relaxed about this smaller European version, even if entering the partnering hall felt something like a "deja vu" with the similar set-up! This year's gathering in Strasbourg hosted some 1,100 delegates and 900 companies from 30 countries, and included 70 speakers (of which I was one!) and 8 hosted events, all wrapped up inside a compact two day event.
As you can see above, there were some pretty heavy duty sponsors and partners supporting this event, which underlines the fact that European life science business development and partnering is alive and well, and makes the trip worthwhile for us in that we can get to sit down with representatives of the European offices of various big pharma we normally meet at BIO in the USA (not forgetting BIO-Europe in Munich!).
That there was a hunger for partnering at this meeting, even following so soon on the heels of the bigger meeting in Munich merely a month prior, was emphasised by the fact that there were several thousand meeting requests sent by the time the event kicked off. Speaking personally, it was tough to find time to attend (m)any of the plenary sessions due to the back-to-back meetings scheduled in my agenda - but that's a luxurious problem to have! Apparently, there were over 2,500 one-to-one meetings at the event, which is pretty healthy for a couple of days.
Undoubtedly, either due to the fact that it was in Europe, or further that we were in Strasbourg itself, the pace felt less frenetic and frenzied than other bigger conferences, so it was both relaxing and productive at the same time. Breaks in the middle of the day were set up to maximise mingling and networking, which they did, and with enough time to not have to cut each conversation short so that one could meet others or grab some fresh herring and sauerkraut before they were gone!
As you can see above, there were some pretty heavy duty sponsors and partners supporting this event, which underlines the fact that European life science business development and partnering is alive and well, and makes the trip worthwhile for us in that we can get to sit down with representatives of the European offices of various big pharma we normally meet at BIO in the USA (not forgetting BIO-Europe in Munich!).
That there was a hunger for partnering at this meeting, even following so soon on the heels of the bigger meeting in Munich merely a month prior, was emphasised by the fact that there were several thousand meeting requests sent by the time the event kicked off. Speaking personally, it was tough to find time to attend (m)any of the plenary sessions due to the back-to-back meetings scheduled in my agenda - but that's a luxurious problem to have! Apparently, there were over 2,500 one-to-one meetings at the event, which is pretty healthy for a couple of days.
The various panel sessions were very cleverly housed inisde the partnering area itself, separated from but open to passers-by, which encouraged them to stop and have a listen, and maybe wander in to take a seat and partake of the lively conversation taking place. Our own panel on the funding challenge was most stimulating indeed, and even though we had plenty left to say, the 90 minutes flew by and we had to call it a day so that people could jump on the bus to the Bio party.
Undoubtedly, either due to the fact that it was in Europe, or further that we were in Strasbourg itself, the pace felt less frenetic and frenzied than other bigger conferences, so it was both relaxing and productive at the same time. Breaks in the middle of the day were set up to maximise mingling and networking, which they did, and with enough time to not have to cut each conversation short so that one could meet others or grab some fresh herring and sauerkraut before they were gone!
A pretty non-stop 48 hours of partnering it was too, in life science's very own version of speed-dating, with a whole slew of bright, orange-curtained meeting booths along the side, and people rushing out of one to go racing off to another, tablet or phone in hand, and bags slung over their shoulders. We need more baggage for this type of speed-dating, it seems, but life science is serious business and overall the event did nicely facilitate new introductions and no doubt the elaboration of previously established personal and business relationships.
My only one gripe about the meeting scheduling system would be the apparently random fire that some people approach it with; the idea being to send out as many invites as possible to anyone who seems even vaguely relevant, and see what sticks. Before the event, I declined various invites reluctantly, feeling a little bad for doing so. Closer to the meeting, with my schedule filling up, I was quicker to decline and felt less reluctance to do so. And after racing to a few meetings to be asked "Did I invite you or was it the other way round?" or "I can't remember why I invited you, now!" - well, what can I say?
I don't really understand why people would invite professional entities to come meet them in a booth with no clear intent, or not even making sure they remember inviting them! Trust me, it is the easiest way to ensure that they won't be accepted by those entities, again, and worse, they have a mark against them. Perhaps in some offices it is enough to show you have a full agenda to justify the trip's expense, but I would rather have a half-full 1-2-1 meeting agenda involving key potential partners plus free time to attend various sessions, than lose time in totally non-productive meetings.
Lesson learned on that one - decline, decline, decline! After a hard day of partnering and panelling on December 1st, we did get a nice bus ride through old Strasbourg to the Bio party, where a selection of fine Alsatian wines and gourmet munchies were available in various rooms on two floors of a grand old mansion, and it was the perfect way to decompress after the travelling and its accompanying jetlag! A quiet walk by the side of the river back in the direction of the hotel was simply the perfect ending to a great day.
Congratulations to the entire team @BIOFIT_EVENT for a most enjoyable and very productive time and stay in Strasbourg, and particular thanks to Ramona Pirv-Chicireanu and Claire Lesnik who helped arrange everything prior to my trip and made me feel most welcome and looked after during the event itself. After such royal treament, who knows, maybe I will see everyone again next year?! ;)
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