OKLAHOMA CITY, June 14, 2012 - Nearly 90 delegates from Oklahoma’s bioscience industry, including scientists, business leaders, educators and economic development officers from across the state, will represent Oklahoma at the BIO 2012 International Convention in Boston, Mass., next week (June 18 – 21). They will spend four days promoting the accomplishments of the Oklahoma bioscience sector, and will make valuable business connections to continue growing this vital industry. The region’s bioscience employment grew 17.8 percent between 2001 and 2008, outpacing the 15.9 percent growth nationally. The industry continues to provide high-quality, high-wage jobs, with an average annual wage of nearly $50,000, more than $12,000 greater than the average private sector annual wage for Greater Oklahoma City’s total private sector.

“I don’t think people realize, on a national level, the quality of bioscience research and discoveries coming out of Oklahoma,” said Roy H. Williams, president & CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, which is organizing the trip. “We have new drugs in clinical trials, important breakthroughs in agriculture and cancer treatment, and state-of-the art technology and capital to support our growth. It’s important that we attend shows such as this one, so we can showcase our efforts to key players in the industry.”

This year’s Oklahoma attendees include representatives from Oklahoma City, Stillwater, Ponca City, Ardmore and Norman. Attendees will help staff a 2,000-square-foot Oklahoma Bioscience Pavilion, complete with touch-screen monitors showcasing Oklahoma’s bioscience companies, and two conference rooms. It will be staffed by scientists, business managers and other representatives who will answer questions from prospective targets who might be looking to do business in Oklahoma. Attendees will also attend networking events and set partnering meetings with targets who may be interested in their specific endeavors.

The group will also host an evening reception for potential clients at Storyville, a uniquely-Boston restaurant located near the convention center. The BIO International Convention is expecting between 15,000 and 17,000 attendees from across the globe to attend this year’s conference. The Oklahoma delegation connects with an average of more than 4,000 of those attendees.

“Participation at BIO provides Oklahoma bioscience companies, researchers and service providers a unique opportunity to make new connections, gain valuable information and find collaborations with a variety of potential partners," said Sheri Stickley, president and CEO of the Oklahoma Bioscience Association. "With thousands attending from all over the world, it’s also a great platform for promoting the exciting work and growing economic impact of Oklahoma’s dynamic and diverse bioscience sector."

All of the delegates’ efforts will be marketed under the banner of the Oklahoma Bioscience Association, an organization formed in 2008 to promote the growth of the Oklahoma bioscience industry through partnerships between Oklahoma’s bioscience companies, research institutions, scientists, economic development organizations and the larger business community.