Recovery of Biological Products - The Conference Series
Mission
The Recovery Conference Series is the premier international forum for the presentation and discussion of the status, direction and trends in the recovery of biological products of therapeutic, diagnostic and industrial value to the society.
Vision
Established in 1981, by Alan Michaels and Harvey Blanch, the Conference Series brings an inimitable array of disciplines together to provide a special platform to develop guidelines for recovery of bioprocesses, promote the image and global agenda of downstream processing and foster the relationship between industry, academia and governmental agencies. With a clear focus on the future, the Conference Series will play a proactive role in catalysing the flow of new ideas and their progress from theoretical function to beneficial use. While maintaining continuity of theme and quality the Series will draw on its intellectual capital as well as ensuring an influx of ideas from new generations who will take Recovery of Biological Products far into the second half of the 21st Century.
Conference Format
The biennial Conferences are an international crossroads where academia meets industry in the pursuit of cutting edge and trans-disciplinary science and technology. The meetings are characterized by active participation, dynamic exchange of ideas and views on nascent and emerging technologies and discussion of the future impact of peripheral sciences on the industrial application of recovery technologies.
Oral and poster sessions, workshops and panel discussions are organized to focus on a systematic and integrated approach to process design and to strengthen the bridge between academic discovery and industrial implementation, resolution of industrial issues and decision-making in product development. Leading regulatory presence assures a dialog essential to product safety and the timely introduction of novel, ground breaking treatment of unmet medical needs. To maintain the scientific standards and quality of the Conference participation is limited and by invitation. Leaders in the field of biological product recovery and related sciences are able to exchange innovative ideas in an atmosphere free from commercial, corporate or publishing pressures, in locations which are conducive to networking, building fruitful professional relationships, making new friends and renewing old friendships.
Publication
The Conference does not publish Proceedings. This policy is to encourage participants to present their latest and previously unpublished work.
Organizational Sponsorship
The Recovery of Biological Products Conference Series was initially sponsored by the Engineering Foundation and three meetings were later co-sponsored with the American Chemical Society. Today, the Conference Series is associated with the American Chemical Society’s Division of Biochemical Technology that is the organizational sponsor. This relationship maintains the Not-for-Profit and tax-exempt status of the Conference Series and provides certain fiscal services.
Financial Sponsorship
The Conference Series is dependent on financial sponsorship from industry. Contributions are used to offset meeting expenses for academic participants and invited academicians and are vital to keeping a balance between theory and practice, exploration and development, and to provide a continuous, innovative flow of ideas that will bring long term benefit. Each Conference has a balanced budget of expense versus income and a balance between sponsor donations and academic support. Review the following the instructions if you are interested in becoming a sponsor.
The Conference is a strictly non-commercial event, without vendor exhibits and promotional materials. Sponsor links are provided on the Conference website and sponsors are listed in the Conference Program and at the Conference.
Governance
Since the RVIII Conference in 1996, the Conference Series has been administered by a non-remunerated Board. The Board was formed to guarantee not only the scientific standards, but also the financial stability and continuity of the Conference Series. The Board has financial and fiduciary responsibility for the Conference Series.
The prime function of the Board is to preserve and develop the premier position of the Conference Series platform in recovery and downstream processing of biological products. The Board acts in a consultative manner to the Current Conference chairs, approves the Conference budget and controls and administers reserve funds.
Members of the Board are active past and current Conference co-chairs with the Chair chosen from one of the co-chairs of the previous meeting. The Board meets during the Conference and in association with BIOT meetings and ACS conventions or as called for by the Chair.
The governance principles of the Board are currently (2011/2012) under review.
Conference Co-Chairs and Session Chairs
On the nomination by current co-chairs, the Board appoints three co-chairs for the next Conference, one from academia, one from industry and a past Conference chair. Current Conference chairs focus on the meeting program and scientific content and appoint a professional meeting management company to administer the Conference.
Session chairs are appointed by the Conference Co-Chairs and are highly active in developing the Conference program, reviewing abstract submissions and assuring cutting edge presentation through contact with prospective presenters. The Poster Session is seen as a particularly important format for interaction and networking between Conference attendees.
Attendance
Attendance at the Recovery Conference is limited to between 225 and 250 participants to ensure that attendees have ample opportunity to meet and discuss the latest and most important issues of biological product processing and the allied sciences and technologies. Consequently, almost all participants are active as presenters, session chairs and sponsors. The Conference is typically oversubscribed and early application to attend is recommended.
An all-inclusive attendance fee is charged, covering all conference materials, hotel room and meals during the Conference. Spouses are welcome at a reduced fee covering hotel room and meals. Full details are available under ”Current Conference”.
Sponsor donations are used to waive, at least in part, registration fees for speakers and poster presenters from academia upon application.
Conference Location
The Recovery Conference is generally held in a location known for its natural beauty and proximity to an unspoilt environment. Conferences have most frequently been held in the US, although four conferences have been held in Canada, two in Europe and one in Mexico. See also under ”Previous Conferences”.
The location is, in part, chosen to provide opportunity for outdoor activities during afternoon breaks in the scientific program. Sports and leisure activities vary with location but are chosen to promote networking and informal interaction between attendees and frequently lead to lifelong working relationships and friendship.
The history and development of the Conference Series from 1981 to 2001 is described in the 10th Anniversary publication ”Recovery of Biological Products Series” .
