Gov Fallin leads delegation to biosciences conference

Governor Mary Fallin is leading nearly 70 delegates from the state’s biosciences industry this week at the BIO 2011 International Convention in Washington, D.C., an international biosciences industry event.

Governor Fallin will be joined by scientists, business leaders, educators and economic development officers from across the state.  The governor will speak at a reception hosted by the Oklahoma delegation and will attend meetings to seek business connections to foster growth in the biosciences industry in Oklahoma.

“The Oklahoma biosciences industry has grown rapidly in recent years but there is room for more expansion and research in our state,” Fallin said. “Promoting Oklahoma’s biosciences industry at this international conference will help us attract new jobs and more investment to Oklahoma.”

According to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, 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.

Between 15,000 and 17,000 attendees from across the globe are expected to attend this year’s BIO 2011 conference.  The state will be featured in a 1,600-sq.-ft. Oklahoma Bioscience Pavilion which will be staffed by scientists and bioscience representatives who will answer questions from those who might be looking to do business in Oklahoma.

The marketing efforts at the conference will be 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 business community.

Photos: Copyright BIO2011