Morning Musings

Chuck Zimmerman April 11, 2006

It’s early on Tuesday morning at BIO 2006. I’m here in the press room. There’s a plenary breakfast going on at which Health & Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt is speaking. I was going to record his speech off the audio feed here but it cut out right about the time he was supposed to start. Oh well. I’ve got a lot of other pics and audio to bring you. The breakfast meeting is a pretty good hike and I’m betting he won’t say anything about agriculture anyway.

At lunch we’re supposed to have former President Bill Clinton speak but he’s “closed” to the press. I guess he doesn’t allow us to record him or even take pictures of him. Well, sir, I’m not interested in what you have to say then. I guess I’ll miss that. I’m sure there’s lots of other more interesting things to find.

I’m still hoping to find a BIO staff member that I can interview about their communications effort here. I’ve been trying since Sunday but so far no interview. I’ll keep trying. I think it would be interesting to learn how BIO has managed the information outreach, including media relations for this event with almost 20,000 people and 1,600 companies exhibiting.

Time to edit some audio and pics.

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iPod Giveaways Everywhere

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

There’s no way a podcaster can ignore how many booths are giving away iPods here at BIO 2006. This is just one example (U. S. Pharmacopeia Booth). I think there’s about 1600 companies exhibiting here. Lots of them are offering this incentive.

I was going to take a picture of a downtown Chicago building that has a local bank banner hanging on it offering a free iPod to anyone who opens a checking account. I just couldn’t pull over in time.

Apple has got to have one of the best marketing campaigns ever. It doesn’t get any better than having everyone else advertise your product for you. Somehow I just don’t think podcasting is a “fad.”

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Podcasts

Interview With IL Corn

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

Agriculture is certainly playing a significant role here at BIO 2006 this year. You can even find a farm broadcaster hard at work like Tricia Braid Terry, WMBD, seen here interviewing Illinois Corn Growers Association board member and farmer, Art Bunting (center).

Next to him on the left is Illinois Corn Marketing Board Executive Director, Rodney Weinzierl.

I interviewed Rodney about the show. He talks about the difference in this year’s show compared to previous ones and describes his organization’s activities. You can listen to the interview here: Rodney Weinzierl (4 min MP3)

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Ag Groups, Audio, Corn

From Fuel To Fashion

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

The media was treated to a nice brunch this morning on industrial biotechnology, “from fuel to fashion.” The fashion part comes in with the fashion show. We had models wearing clothing made from biobased products. Like the nice gown shown here.

I recorded the introduction to the fashion show which you can listen to here: Fashion Show (2 min MP3)

I took too many pictures to post so I uploaded them to an online Flickr photo album which you can find here: Bio fashion Show Photo Album

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Audio, Biotech

Enzymes And Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

The #17 Team Ethanol car is on display here at BIO 2006 in the Novozymes booth. Nobozymes is one of the sponsors of the car.

I interviewed company VP, Jorgen Thorball about how Novozymes is involved in the production of ethanol. It’s all about enzymes. The enzyme products his company produces are being used in the production of ethanol to increase the efficiency and cost-effectivess of the process. He says they’ve made great strides and that this will only continue.

You can listen to my interview with him here: Jorgen Thorball (6 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Audio, Biotech, Ethanol

BIO President On Ag & Renewable Fuel

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

The President of BIO, Jim Greenwood (l) and Chairman, Jim Mullen (r), made some remarks to the press this morning.

I asked them about agriculture and renewable fuels. Jim Greenwood answered and he gave a very good synopsis of how important biotechnology is to agriculture and our food supply. He also talks about the importance of technology advances in biofuels. You can listen to Jim Greenwood’s answer here: Jim Greenwood (3 min MP3)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by:

Audio, Biotech, Ethanol, Farming

Question For Governor Blagojevich

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

It wasn’t real easy but I was able to ask llinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, a quick question after he cut the ribbon prior to the trade show. I think it’s interesting how agriculture is being integrated into this year’s conference here in Illinois so I asked him about the importance of agriculture and especially renewable fuels to the state.

You can listen to his answer here: Governor Blagojevich (1 min MP3)

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Audio

BIO Trade Show Ribbon Cutting

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

The trade show here at BIO 2006 is in full swing and it’s huge. I don’t see how it’s possible to visit every aisle in 3 days if that’s all you did.

To kick it off, Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, did the ribbon cutting. Just before they pulled the scissors out he and BIO President, Jim Greenwood made a few comments.

You can listen to the ribbon cutting remarks here: Ribbon Cutting Remarks (3 min MP3) Note: The audio was a little too hot but it’s very understandable.

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Audio

BIO Press Conference

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

This is just an update to the last post. The announcement of the new study is being made at a press conference that is taking place right now.

In just a few minutes I hope to interview the leadershio of the BIO and will post those later today.

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Biosciences Employ 1.2 Million

Chuck Zimmerman April 10, 2006

The first news of the day is the release of a new report by BIO and Batelle. The report is titled, “Growing The Nation’s Biotech Sector: State Bioscience Initiatives 2006.” You can find the executive summary here. The report says that the biosciences now consist of more than 40,000 businesses employing 1.2 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Some other key findings include:

Total employment in the biosciences in the United States reached 1.2 million in 2004, with bioscience workers found in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The highest rate of growth in jobs is in the research, testing, and medical laboratories sector.

The nation’s 1.2 million bioscience jobs generated an additional 5.8 million jobs in the economy. Each bioscience job in the United States generates 5.7 additional jobs in affiliated industries.

States are spending billions of dollars to support bioscience research and development, with research funds and construction of academic and medical facilities.

States are also using investment funds and tax incentives to attract large industry anchors, instead of solely focusing on launching and growing new bioscience ventures.

Smaller states that have not traditionally invested in building bioscience industries are beginning to do so.

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