The BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology in San Diego took place from the 17^th until the 20^th of April 2016. The Netherlands was represented in the Holland Biotech Pavilion, which included 14 Dutch organisations and companies with a focus on biotechnology, biochemistry, energy, feedstock production, transport and logistics. The eye-catching pavilion was coordinated for the 4^th time in a row by BE-Basic Foundation (requested by Topteam Chemie) as part of the Strategic Conferences Program.

With more than 900 visitors from roughly 550 organisations from all over the world present, the congress was well attended. The Congress hosted nearly 2000 partnering meetings that were very well visited by the Holland participants. Next to a dynamic group of plenary speakers the congress also featured 48 sessions with 280 speakers amongst which couple of our Dutch participants. For BE-Basic partners and others, this congress provided a very visible platform for international cooperation: for Dutch industries at an international market, and for international investments into the Netherlands.

To make a strong statement during the WCIB 2016 San Diego, the Holland Biotech Pavilion has introduced a partnership with the BioInnovation Growth mega-Cluster (BIG-C), which is the leading chemical mega cluster in Flanders, the Netherlands and North-Rhine Westphalia. Its goal is transition from a linear to a sustainable circular economy through smart specialization. BIG-C accelerates cross-border cooperation to create new value chains and increases the potential to attract opportunities and valorisation activities (demo plants) to the mega cluster. BIG-C was represented with five organisations and companies.

During the Holland Business Partnering Reception, Mr. John van den Heuvel (director of Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency) presented the Bike Raffle, sponsored by Rabobank and LeidenMarketing, which attracted a great deal of attention at the Holland Biotech Pavilion. The winner, Mark Riedy (partner Kilpatrick Townsend), was very happy with his new bicycle in traditional Dutch colours.

On the last morning of the BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology the Dutch delegation organised a casual breakfast, sponsored by Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency NFIA and Holland Innovation Network. During the breakfast session the participants had the opportunity to learn about the Dutch experience in developing and implementing biobased solutions. Willem Sederel (director Biobased Delta) presented the Dutch companies by taking the attendees on a journey through the Dutch Bioeconomy and its strong position within Europe.

Here you can find an impression of the Holland Biotech Pavilion at the BIO World Congress in San Diego.