Our Premier Networking Event and Membership Drive
On September 22nd, individuals from all sectors of Ontario biotech will gather on the Sanofi Pasteur grounds for The Biotechnology Initiative’s premier networking celebration, the 2nd annual TBI Mix and Match event.
This evening event will provide an opportunity for people from a variety of organizations and disciplines within the life sciences industry to informally connect and network. It is another great example of the many ways attendance at TBI events increases understanding and awareness of activities in the life science sector.
“We started this event last year as a means to help people learn about TBI, what the organization has to offer, while at the same time we wanted to give people affiliated within the industry a chance to meet with their peers,” states TBI membership committee chair Jill Osborne, who is also one of the key figures behind organizing this event.
“Our committee focuses on adding more benefits to our members, developing new initiatives to help them connect with more people and the TBI Mix and Match event is one way we are accomplishing this task.” she said.
While the event was originally intended to be a membership drive, she states it has become so much more than that.
“There is a need for networking events like this, people want to connect,” she said adding that the timing of the event is critical. “It coincides with National biotech week, and brings people together not just to network but also to celebrate.”
“It’s a great chance to meet different people in the industry, who do different things and are from different disciplines in the life sciences, it’s intended to be a venue for connecting” explains fellow event organizer Louise Beaulieu-Steiner. “What attendees can expect is a business casual evening, with wonderful refreshments and food provided from Ontario. Guests of honour will be there providing short speeches on biotech, perhaps with a bit of good news to share.”
Among the special guests are Mark Leivonen, president of Sanofi Pasteur who will provide a background to the company and the grounds, the Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Research & Innovation and Minister of Training, Colleges & Universities for Ontario, and TBI president Lorne Meikle.
In keeping with the precedent set by last years event which highlighted a successful biotech company in Astra Zeneca, this year attendees will get the chance to see and enjoy the grounds at Sanofi Pasteur and Connaught Laboratory campus according to fellow event organizer Lisa Lenkic.
“It’s a wonderful historic site, with a lot of old building. Attendees will get to see where vaccine development first started in Canada,” states Lenkic.
Lenkic adds there will be lots of exhibits on display, as well as self guided tours with Sanofi reps and historians on hand to answer questions.
Last years event, hosted by Astra Zeneca at their facility, was a resounding success, and brought together more than 200 individuals from the life science industry to network and discuss their areas of expertise. This year, organizers are expecting to grow those numbers to 250.
“We’re expecting more than 250 guests to mix, mingle and talk. All they have to bring is their business cards, a smile and their best networking skills and just enjoy the evening,
The best part says Beaulieu-Steiner; "the cost to attend is free!”
For more information on how to attend TBI’s mix and match event, please visit http://www.ontbi.org/documents/2009TBIMixMatch.pdf or to register click here
