Last week, the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation joined more than 20,000 biotechnology and life sciences leaders from around the world at the 2026 BIO International Convention in San Diego. As the largest and most comprehensive biotechnology conference in the world, BIO brings together innovators, investors, global companies, site selectors, government leaders, and economic development organizations to explore partnerships and identify the next generation of growth opportunities. With more than 1,500 exhibitors and representatives from Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Australia, and dozens of countries, BIO is where major investment decisions and business relationships begin.
DCEDC’s participation was made possible through our strategic partnership with OCO Global, an international investment attraction and trade advisory firm. Working alongside OCO Global provided access to high-value business development meetings with companies actively evaluating locations for expansion, allowing Douglas County to compete on a national and international stage.
While BIO centers on biotechnology and healthcare, the conversations extended far beyond a single industry. Throughout the conference, our team highlighted the same competitive advantages that continue to attract companies across our target sectors, including bioscience, aerospace, financial services, and advanced technology.
Douglas County’s highly educated workforce, exceptional quality of life, business-friendly environment, and access to a deep talent pipeline remain some of our strongest selling points. These metrics resonate with companies looking for locations where they can recruit top talent, scale operations, and invest with confidence. Whether a company develops life-saving therapies, manufactures aerospace technologies, or provides financial and professional services, the fundamentals that make Douglas County successful are universally attractive.
The conference also brought together state and regional economic development organizations from across the country. Teams representing states such as California, Texas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Florida, were all actively promoting their regions and competing for future investment. BIO provides a unique opportunity to benchmark against other leading markets while building relationships that can generate future business opportunities.
Beyond scheduled meetings, BIO offered valuable insight into emerging trends in biotechnology, precision medicine, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and workforce development. These conversations help shape DCEDC’s ongoing business recruitment strategy and ensure Douglas County remains competitive in attracting high-quality employers.
As we return from San Diego, we’re excited to build on the connections established during BIO 2026. Every single meeting represents an opportunity to bring new investment, create quality jobs, and strengthen Douglas County’s position as one of the nation’s premier destinations for business growth.
Events like BIO reinforce an important message: Douglas County isn’t just competing within Colorado, we’re competing nationally and internationally. And with the right partnerships, compelling data, and a clear value proposition, we’re continuing to put Douglas County on the map for companies looking to grow.