Associations involved in the scientific study of life – from
microorganisms to human beings – could find themselves meeting in Wales if the
country’s convention bureau has its way.
Meet In Wales is going on the charm offensive in a bid to persuade
associations linked to the life sciences to bring their meetings and events to
the country.
The approach forms part of the bureau’s campaign to align
its meetings and events strategy with the expertise in the country. The life sciences sector is worth £2.6bn to the Welsh economy.
Recently the campaign has focused on both the compound semi-conductors
and renewables sectors, as the destination continues to link event knowledge
with areas of excellence within Wales.
Life sciences is one of the growing sectors in Wales, with
academic and corporate communities and research centres that influence
scientific knowledge and behaviour around the world.
The focus of the campaign will see Meet In Wales drawing on
the knowledge of one of the destination’s Ambassadors, Dr Lee Parry, who
specialises in the field.
Dr Parry is set to join Meet In Wales at a number of
industry events and will be sharing the importance
of life sciences and how the events industry can support its work.
As a sector, life sciences offer significant global impact
and often seek worldwide solutions to large humanitarian challenges. Dr Parry
is based within Cardiff University, which is proud to have an established
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, boasting a vibrant academic community,
undertaking innovative research and with a state-of-the-art learning facility.
“Wales is a leader in the field of life sciences and the
many, many innovations the sector brings to medicine and the wellbeing of
future generations,” said Parry. “I was honoured to represent Wales as a
destination for meetings and events, and if it means we can bring other
expertise to our shores, create new relationships and collaborations, then that
can only be good for everyone.”
“Life sciences has the potential to impact every aspect of
our lives and we’re proud of the innovations that our country continues to make
in the field. By working closely with experts such as Dr Lee Parry we’re
excited to be able to offer a destination that affords organisers access to the
scientific community, new research and science, and reach to influencers around
the world,” commented Heledd Williams, Head of Business Events at Meet In
Wales.
In recent years Wales has transformed its business
landscape, having evolved to concentrate on industrial and service-based
activities, from technology to Fin Tech, renewables to creativity. Now, as part
of the destinations National Event Strategy, Meet In Wales is focusing on
events that can not only benefit from the expertise in the destination, but add
to it.
In Isla’s recent Temperature Check Report,
this strategy was upheld as an insightful example of how government and events
businesses are working together to attract events, stimulate positive
industrial activity, whilst leaving a positive legacy for the destination.
The Welsh life sciences industry employs more than
12,000 people, in over 260 companies (ranging from SME's and start-ups to large
blue-chip companies). With world-leading
academic expertise and a central Life Sciences Hub, Wales demonstrates a strong
competitive advantage in Medtech, Diagnostics, Wound Healing, Regenerative
Medicine, Neuroscience, Genomics, Cancer, and Cell Therapy, and is already
creating a world-leading life sciences ecosystem, which includes academics, the
NHS, Government, and centres of excellence.
Three quarters of Wales’ life sciences market is export
focussed with companies supplying their products all around the World from
Spain and Ireland, to Canada, Brazil, Qatar and Singapore.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
