We just spent a whirlwind two days in Boston, representing New Hampshire biotech sector at the BIO International Convention, which is being held throughout this week at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Billed as the world’s largest biotechnology event, organizers say more than 15,000 people from 48 states and 65 countries will pass through the doors, taking advantage of the opportunity to talk with peers, researchers, industry leaders and others about the latest and emerging developments.

Commissioner Bald talks about the advantages of doing business in New Hampshire with people attending the BIO International Convention in Boston this week.

With that many people on our doorstep, it’s a good time for networking and with the sponsorship of Public Service of New Hampshire, we hosted a reception for about 50 people Monday night, who represent out-of-state biotech companies. It was a chance to meet people in a sector we’d like to see grow even stronger and even get to thinking about expanding or relocating to the Granite State.

“It’s a chance to plant seeds with these companies who, in the future, may want to come here,” said Cindy Harrington, one of the state’s business recruiters.

Because it has happened before and joining the reception to talk about the how and why they moved their businesses to New Hampshire were Bill Skelley of Skelley Medical; Jake Reder of Celdara Medical and Bill Piombino of Lonza Biologics.

The guests came from around the country and more often than not, they had a story, a memory or an in-law about New Hampshire. One was introduced to the state by a long-ago girlfriend; another attended a conference on Lake Sunapee and still another wistfully promised to return one day to ski at Waterville Valley. Couple sentiment with all the Granite State has going for it these days and one day down the road, we’ll be talking to them again.

This morning, we spent several hours at the New Hampshire booth at the conference, where the team, including PSNH folks and Paula Newton, president of the New Hampshire Biomedical Council, fielded questions about everything from the tax climate and advantages to biotech to people just stopping by for a Granite State fix.

“It’s an absolutely fabulous event for the biotech sector,” said Christopher Way, interim director of the Division of Economic Development.

Lorna Colquhoun

Communications Director

Division of Economic Development