2nd – 6th July, 2017

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2nd – 6th July, 2017

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SOCIETY FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY & EVOLUTIONANNUAL MEETING

JW Marriott Hotel | Austin | Texas

July 2-6, 2017

INDUSTRY PROSPECTUS

2nd – 6th July, 2017

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Introduction

Dear friends,

I would like to invite you to attend and support SMBE 2017, the annual meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution, held from Sunday July 2nd through Thursday July 6th, 2017 in Austin, TX. This conference will be organized by faculty members of The University of Texas in Austin, on behalf of SMBE, and we will host the meeting at the JW Marriott hotel in downtown Austin. I hope we will have the pleasure to welcome you to this event.

The annual SMBE meeting is the premier event for scientists working at the interface of genomics, cellular and molecular biology, and evolutionary biology. It commonly sees 1200–1400 attendees from all over the world. In 2017, the meeting will be back on US soil for the first time in three years, after Vienna, Austria in 2015 and Gold Coast, Australia in 2016.

The research presented and discussed at SMBE meetings has become increasingly relevant to the biotech and/or biomedical industries, covering topics such as human genetics and genomics, microbiomes and microbial communities, pathogen evolution, and cancer evolution. A second theme that has grown rapidly is big data in biology. SMBE researchers routinely collect, analyze, and compare hundreds or thousands of genomes, of many different species, and they also develop the computational pipelines to handle these analysis tasks efficiently and reliably.

We expect that approximately two-thirds of our attendees will be junior scientists, in particular graduate students and postdocs. These junior scientists will be excited to learn about non-academic career paths and the opportunity to network with industry representatives. To facilitate these networking opportunities, we will offer trade exhibition stands - these will be located in the same area as poster presentations.

I hope you will consider supporting SMBE 2017 in Austin, TX. I can assure you that your support and participation will be rewarding and that you will enjoy your time with us in Austin.

Yours sincerely,

Claus WilkeChair of the Organizing CommitteeProfessor of Integrative BiologyThe University of Texas at Austin

2nd – 6th July, 2017

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CONFERENCE THEMES*Evolutionary genomics | Human genomics | Big data in biology

The evolution of cancer | Microbial communities and microbiomes Pathogen evolution | Evolution of molecular pathways and networks

*subject to change based on participant submissions

About SMBE

The Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution is an international organization whose goals are to provide facilities for association and communication among molecular evolutionists and to further the goals of molecular evolution, as well as its practitioners and teachers. To accomplish these goals, the Society publishes two peer-reviewed journals, Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution. The Society sponsors an annual meeting as well as smaller satellite meetings or workshops on important, focused, and timely topics. It also confers honors and awards to students and researchers.

Local Organizing CommitteeClaus O. Wilke, PhD Professor and Department Chair, Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin

Nancy Moran, PhD Leslie Surginer Endowed Professor, Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin

Howard Ochman, PhD Professor, Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin

Elaine Taylor, Project Manager, MCI

Deirdre Quinn, Exhibition & Sponsorship Manager, MCI

Hugh Torpey, Marketing & Communications Manager, MCI

OrganizersSociety for Molecular Biology and Evolution

Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin

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DestinationThe SMBE 2017 conference will take place in Austin, located in the heart of Texas and the capital of the state. Austin is a vibrant city, with a young and active population and an internationally renown live-music and restaurant scene. The Austin metropolitan area, currently home to over 2 million inhabitants, is one of the fastest growing major cities in the US, and it is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the US.

Austin is home to The University of Texas at Austin, the flagship campus of the University of Texas system. The greater Austin area is known for its high-tech industry, often termed the “Silicon Hills.” Companies such as Dell, IBM, Google, Intel, and Apple are all major employers in the Austin area. More recently, biotech has taken hold in Austin as well, and currently there are close to 200 biotech startups within 25 miles from the city center.

VenueThe brand new JW Marriott Austin hotel is situated in the heart of Austin, just a 15-minute drive from Austin International Airport. Here, you’ll experience the quiet luxury of a JW Marriott hotel with 1,012 elegant, oversized guest rooms, countless amenities, and a superior location near some of the best attractions and entertainment options Austin has to offer - including the Sixth Street Entertainment District, South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival, The University of Texas, and the Texas State Capitol.

This Austin hotel features more than 120,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space and easy access to the Austin Convention Center - just two blocks away. Both business and leisure travelers alike will appreciate the variety of on-site restaurants, extensive state-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor pool and deck, and much more, the perfect location for SMBE 2017.

2nd – 6th July, 2017

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Important Dates

Call for Symposia Closes October 28, 2016Early Bird Opens November 1, 2016Successful Symposia Notification November 4, 2016Abstract Submission Opens November 28, 2016Abstract Submission Closes February 1, 2017Abstract Notification March 1, 2017Early Bird Closes March 29, 2017

Keynote Speakers

Siv Andersson, PhD Professor, Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden

Laura Landweber, PhD Professor, Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, USA

Trudy Mackay, PhD William Neal Reynolds Distinguished University Professor of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, USA

Rasmus Nielsen, PhD Professor, Evolutionary Genomics and Integrative Biology, UC Berkeley, USA

2nd – 6th July, 2017

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Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities

Opportunities for trade participation at the conference exist through sponsorship and trade display in the vicinity of the catering and poster panels, where interested parties can raise their profile among the delegates.

Why support SMBE 2017?• This is a unique opportunity to meet and connect with leaders in the fields of

molecular evolution, molecular biology and evolutionary biology, build new and strengthen existing relationships

• Sponsors and exhibitors will reach a wide-ranging audience of scientists, researchers and students from all over the world

• An ideal platform to support the future of molecular biological research and the education of post doc students while updating the knowledge within your own company

• More than 1400 delegates are expected to attend SMBE Austin 2017 and you will be able to offer your products, services and expertise to all of them

• Through face-to-face meetings you will reinforce long-term relationships while establishing relationships with new customers

Previous supporters of SMBENew England Biolabs | Diagenode | Fasteris | Lexogen | Memmert | Lifetech

BGI Tech | Illumina | Source Bioscience | LGC Genomics | Oxford University Press

Wiley-Blackwell | Nexcent | Cambridge University | Royal Society Publishing

Beckman | GATC Biotech | Eurofins MWG Operon | Floragenex | Garland Science

What is theBusiness Opportunity for Your Company?

2nd – 6th July, 2017

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SMBE 2017 Sponsorship Opportunities

GOLD SPONSOR $15,000 Become a headline sponsor at SMBE 2017 and receive the following benefits:• Acknowledgement of your level of support on the homepage of the official

SMBE 2017 website• Acknowledgement of your level of support in the official SMBE 2017 Delegate

Programme• Acknowledgement of your level of support onsite• 2 Sponsored Eblasts • Exhibition Space • 1 Insert in Delegate Bag• 1 Full Page color advert in the official SMBE 2017 Delegate Programme• 3 Full Conference Registrations• 2 Exhibition Registrations• Post Conference Delegate List (Opt-in only)• Post Conference Survey Sponsorship• Sponsored SM posts

SILVER SPONSOR $10,000 Become a prime sponsor at SMBE 2017 and receive the following benefits:• Acknowledgement of your level of support on the homepage of the official

SMBE 2017 website• Acknowledgement of your level of support in the official SMBE 2017 Delegate Program• 1 Sponsored Eblast• Acknowledgement of your level of support onsite• Exhibition Space• 1 Full Page color advert in the official SMBE 2017 Delegate Program• 2 Full Conference Registrations• 2 Exhibition Registrations• Post Conference Delegate List (Opt-in only)• Sponsored SM posts

BRONZE SPONSOR $8,000 Become a prime sponsor at SMBE 2017 and receive the following benefits:• Acknowledgement of your level of support on the homepage of the official

SMBE 2017 website• Acknowledgement of your level of support in the official SMBE 2017 Delegate Program• Acknowledgement of your level of support onsite• 1/2 Page color advert in the official SMBE 2017 Delegate Program• Exhibition Space • 1 Full Conference Registrations• 2 Exhibition Registrations• Post Conference Delegate List (Opt-in only)• Sponsored SM posts

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2nd – 6th July, 2017

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LUNCHTIME INDUSTRIAL SYMPOSIUM - 3 Opportunities Available $10,000 Exact details to be confirmed with Chair of the Scientific Committee

Benefits:• Invitation to provide branded material in room• Company logo and profile listing in delegate programme• Company logo and profile listing on congress website• 1 insert in delegate bags• 3 congress registrations• Branding at the catering stations• E-Shot Marketing communication to delegate database • Access to opt-in delegate database

SPONSORED SYMPOSIUM $3,500Content of sponsored symposium to be determined by Chair of the Scientific Committee

Benefits:• Invitation to provide branded material• Company logo and profile listing in delegate programme• Company logo and profile listing on congress website• 1 insert in delegate bags• 2 congress registrations• Branding within the lecture area• Access to opt-in delegate database

PLENARY TALK $3,500Content of plenary talk to be determined by Chair of the Scientific Committee

Benefits:• Invitation to provide branded material• Company logo and profile listing in delegate programme• Company logo and profile listing on congress website• 1 insert in delegate bags• 2 congress registrations• Branding within the lecture area• Access to opt-in delegate database

Sponsorship Opportunities

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2nd – 6th July, 2017

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WELCOME RECEPTION $6,500 Sponsor the official SMBE 2017 Welcome Reception and receive the following benefits:

• Your company logo and branding will be displayed at the SMBE 2017 Welcome Reception (Sponsor to provide pop-up banners x 4)

• Your company logo and 100 word profile on the Sponsor Page of the official SMBE 2017 Website

• Your company logo and 100 word profile on the Sponsor Page of the official SMBE 2017 Delegate Program

• Post Conference Delegate List (Opt-in only)• 1 Full conference Registration• 2 Guest passes to reception

POCKET DELEGATE PROGRAM $4,000 The SMBE 2017 Pocket Delegate Program will be a quick find reference that all delegates will consult throughout the duration of the conference. It will include the program at a glance, a map of the venue and additional useful information. Benefits include:

• Your company logo to appear on the official SMBE 2017 Pocket Program• Your company logo and 100 word profile on the Sponsor Page of the official

SMBE 2017 Website• Your company logo and 100 word profile on the Sponsor Page of the official

SMBE 2017 Delegate Program• Post Conference Delegate List (Opt-in only)

SMBE 2017 APP $5,000 Opportunity to introduce sponsor through pre-event and post event communications about SMBE 2017• Direct notifications to all attendees through the APP and associated email• Strategically placed messaging• Enhanced sponsor profile on the home screen to include links• APP sponsor will be acknowledged with link to home page on www.smbe2017.org• Opportunity to place 4 pop-up banners throughout the conference

(banners to be supplied by sponsor and positions to be agreed with E&S Manager)

DELEGATE BAGS $5,000 Highly visible, long-life item containing official conference materials which will be distributed to all delegates, speakers and VIPs. Benefits include:

• Your company logo to appear on the official SMBE 2017 Delegate Bag• Your company logo and 100 word profile on the Sponsor Page of the official

SMBE 2017 Website• Your company logo and 100 word profile on the Sponsor Page of the official

SMBE 2017 Delegate Program• Post Conference Delegate List (Opt-in only)* Bags to be provided by sponsor – SMBE 2017 logo will be provided and must also appear on bag. Printing service can be provided by MCI.

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2nd – 6th July, 2017

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EXHIBITION ONLY $5,000• Exhibition pod stand to include stand with name panel,

1 long arm spotlight, 1 double electrical socket• Your company logo and 50 word profile on the Exhibitor Page

of the official SMBE 2017 website and delegate program• 2 Exhibition Registrations (limited to the exhibition area and

Welcome Reception)• 1 Conference Delegate Bag• Post Conference Delegate List (Opt-in only)

Additional Branding Opportunities

DELEGATE E-STATION $5,000

LANYARDS $2,000 *Lanyards to be provided by the sponsor

NOTEPADS & PENS $2,000 *Notepads and pens must be provided by the sponsor

TEA/COFFEE BREAK $1,500 each

WI-FI $5,000

MESSAGE CENTRE $1,500

WATER BOTTLES $3,000 (sponsor to provide branded bottles)

ADVERTISEMENT IN THE OFFICIAL SMBE 2017 PROGRAMME

Outside Back Cover $1,000Inside Back Cover $800Inside Front Cover $800Full Page Color $700Half Page Color $500Delegate Bag Inserts $1,000Eblast $1,500

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KEY CONTACTS MCI Dublin is the official Professional Conference Organizer for SMBE 2017 and has a proven track record in delivering successful international conferences, managing many congresses, conferences & symposia throughout the world over the past 2 decades. MCI Dublin employs a dedicated Exhibition and Sponsorship team to work with you to maximize the benefits of your exhibition and sponsorship presence at SMBE 2017.

For enquiries and bookings, please contact:

Deirdre Quinn, Exhibition & Sponsorship Manager

SMBE 2017 c/o MCI Dublin, 1 Clarinda Park North, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland

Tel: +353 1 280 2641| Mob: +353 86 232 3905 | Fax: +353 1 280 5405

Email: Deirdre.quinn@mci-group.com Tweet @mciquinn