How to make the most of Biotech events such as BIO-Europe and BIO International Convention

Prepare ahead of the event

Preparation is key to making the most of your participation. An event such as BIO-Europe brings together thousands of industry professionals, so arriving with a clear plan is essential.

Define your objectives:

• Generate qualified leads
• Meet potential partners
• Increase your visibility within the industry
• Keep up with market trends and developments

Schedule meetings in advance:

• Use the event’s partnering platform to arrange strategic meetings ahead of time.
• Prioritise meetings based on business potential and strategic fit.

Prepare your communication materials:

• Have a clear and compelling pitch ready — ideally no longer than 30 seconds.
• Prepare an attractive one-pager highlighting your services, differentiators and contact details.
• Have a concise presentation ready for B2B meetings.
• Take clear notes during each meeting to make post-event reporting and follow-up easier.

Build an effective networking approach

Biotech events are, above all, about connections and opportunities.

A few key tips:

• Be visible and proactive: introduce yourself to speakers, ask relevant questions during sessions and engage with other attendees.
• Make the most of informal networking: networking evenings, lunches and cocktail receptions often provide the perfect setting for more relaxed conversations and meaningful business discussions.
• Use LinkedIn effectively: connect with relevant contacts before and after the event to strengthen relationships and keep the conversation going.

Stand out with impactful communication

Biotech events are highly competitive environments, so capturing the attention of the right people is essential.

A few ways to stand out:

• Focus on a clear and distinctive message: avoid unnecessary technical jargon and communicate your value proposition clearly.
• Create content during the event: share LinkedIn posts, event highlights and relevant insights using the official event hashtags.
• Use engaging communication materials: short videos, interactive QR codes, client testimonials or other visual content can help showcase your expertise and make your company more memorable.

Follow up effectively after the event

The real work often begins once the event is over. Without effective follow-up, even promising conversations can quickly lose momentum.

Your post-event action plan:

• Send a personalised thank-you message within 48 hours.
• Suggest a follow-up meeting to continue the conversation and explore potential opportunities.
• Connect on LinkedIn with a personalised message.
• Segment and prioritise your leads to organise your follow-up effectively.
• Send a concise follow-up email referring to the discussion and outlining relevant next steps.

For ERBD Consulting, I particularly like “Follow Up Effectively After the Event” rather than the more literal “Ensure Rigorous Follow-Up”. It sounds more natural and less rigid in English.