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State Hosts Bio Energy Convention
Illinois will play host to the 2010 BIO International Convention next month.

What's billed by industry leaders as the "Global Event for Biotechnology" will be in Chicago May 3-6.

Jim Greenwood, president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, says while Illinois doesn’t lead the nation in biotechnology, it is advancing.

"I would put [Chicago] in the category of an emerging biotechnology hub," Greenwood said. "There is some work to be done in this state in terms of providing seed money so small companies that spin out of universities can get a start and so far the state has not succeeded in accomplishing that."

Greenwood says the cities with the highest concentration of people in the biotechnology world are Boston, San Francisco and San Diego.

Regardless, Greenwood says Illinois is still a great setting for the BIO convention because of the state's strong farming roots and the strong research facilities.

But the convention may not return to Chicago in the future unless costs come down. Greenwood says costs do play a role in where BIO looks to hold its annual event. Currently the City of Chicago is in talks with McCormick Place, where the event is set to be held and has been held in the past, to try and bring down costs of conventions there.

Industry leaders from 48 states and 60 countries are expected to participate at the convention.

(Illinois Radio Network)
04 26 10 by Newsroom
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