BSBF2018

Context

In collaboration with the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education, Crone & Co developed and conducted Big Science Business Forum, BSBF2018. The congress took place in the spring of 2018 at Tivoli Hotel & Congress Center in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. BSBF2018 was the result of 9 of the world’s biggest research facilities coming together to introduce a new platform for sharing research and new products to the European industry – A platform for further development that was non-existent in Europe at the time. The congress presented a unique opportunity for European businesses and stakeholders to get insight into the investments and procurement of the world’s biggest Big Science organizations.

Implementation

An important criterion for success at BSBF2018 was an impressive and comprehensive exhibition, giving the many organizations, businesses and stakeholders opportunity to present their products and procurements efficiently and network with the many attendees – In total, the exhibition consisted of more than 70 exhibitors and organizations. The exhibition was spread all over the ground floor of Tivoli Hotel and Congress center and the welcome speech, reception, breaks, and meals were all placed here to ensure optimal contact between exhibitors and attendees.

The impressive exhibition was naturally complemented by a high-level congress program, with keynotes and sessions by leaders and experts from the world’s leading Big Science organizations, as well as popular site visits to the research facilities ESS and MAX IV.

Over the course of BSBF2018, a total of 791 1-1 meetings was arranged. The meetings took place at small tables set up at the balcony in the main congress hall and was a key factor in making BSBF2018 a success.

The social program consisted of welcome reception in the exhibition with welcome speech by the Minister for Higher Education and Science Søren Pind, Gala dinner at The Circus Building in downtown Copenhagen. The Circus Building was completely redecorated for the night to correctly reflect the visual identity of BSBF2018 and provided an excellent setting for a different and fun experience to the 500 attendees.

Crone & Co handled the project management and implementation including economy and budget, PR-activity, planning, sponsor- and exhibitor activity, coordination with venues, hotels, volunteers, online event management platform, mobile app, and website.

Results

Big Science Business Forum 2018 was a great success. Overall 95% of the attendees were either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, 98% would participate in a potential future version of the Congress and 93% answered that they had the opportunity to identify potential customers, suppliers, and partners.

In total at BSBF2018, 1037 participants, 530 represented businesses and organisations and 120 speakers and presentations from 29 nations. The total value of investments and procurements presented at BSBF2018 was 12 billion.

Based on the great success, it has been decided that the Congress will return in 2020.