Happy New Year from the Board of Commissioners, staff and volunteers that make up BioDistrict New Orleans! As you reflect upon 2012, please consider the following resolutions for 2013.

• Expand your professional and social network: In life as in business, who you know is generally as important as what you know. In 2013, identify and establish personal connections to those who are of like mind and drive.   

◦       The BioDistrict has plans to make it easy for you to make serious business connections through our programming events like the DeBakey Screening, the BioDistrict 4th Annual Luncheon and other events throughout the year.

◦       We have established a LinkedIn Group called Bio New Orleans that now has 557 members exchanging ideas, news and connections.

◦       The BioDistrict also has a presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

   

• Learn and be current on government and industry policies and issues that affect you, your family and/or your business: We all need to make time to learn about policy or regulatory concerns that could impact your life and business prospects. How will these decisions effect your health, career, financial and environment.

◦       The BioDistrict through our Newsletter and social media outlets discuss these and other topics effecting the New Orleans investment climate and new business opportunities (or potential obstacles) in 2013 and beyond.

◦       The BioDistrict and the Bloor Group will launch our new webcast series "InSight Analysis" highlighting the numerous assets being developed in the District. The webcast will have a worldwide audience covering a wide range of topics, targeted discussions on the clinical and scientific use of Big Data sets, digital imaging and 3D Mapping, Cancer, Diabetes, Neurology, Peptides and Infectious Diseases.

  

• Dedicate the time to be an Ambassador for Positive Change: The importance of continuing the current momentum and expand the audience is critical to our success. As much as we think the world knows about the positive changes in New Orleans it is never enough and must be reinforced.

◦       Simple things like forwarding our Newsletter to your friends helps in growing that audience. Take the time and hit resend, ReTweet or whatever you can do.

 

• Be more efficient with our time and money: We can travel the globe and attend thousands of conferences, seminars and conventions of all types or we can stay at home and be great hosts to the events that are coming to New Orleans. The HIMSS Convention in March will bring 837+ vendors to New Orleans all prime candidates for becoming new recruitments. 

◦       The BioDistrict is working closely with the New Orleans hospitality community to ramp up the opportunities that benefits both industries and New Orleans at large.

 

• Finally, whenever possible, "pay it forward": Every New Year we all take some time to reflect on the past year and make new resolutions for the future. As we look back at 2012, think about your career path and financial position and think about those who have helped you grow and advance to get there. The BioDistrict acts to improve the lives of our fellow New Orleanians but there is much we can do as individuals to support the District and the research and commercialization activities currently underway within our own community. Resolve to take some time this year to be a mentor or to make a small investment that will pay big dividends. 

Please share this newsletter with a friend, colleague or loved one looking for positive news about the future of New Orleans as the center of Southeast Louisiana's Super-Region and the emergence of a fourth pillar to our economy.

Sincerely,

HIMSS Career Services Institute and BioDistrict, in association with the New Orleans Chamber, the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Morial Convention Center, are establishing a national model for other conventions to follow.

Another first for the BioDistrict and New Orleans in our collaboration to create career training opportunities is the linking of online interview services provided by GoToInterview.com. A New Orleans based start-up venture headed by Mr. Todd McDonald, GoToInterview.com provides a web-based tool designed to connect employers and employees in high-turnover industries. This unique technology creates a channel for employers to review short video interviews of potential candidates answering customized questions initiated by the employer.    This online interview service will serve as another step towards the BioDistrict's mission to attract new industry and investment to New Orleans by solving the #1 issue holding us back -- a skilled workforce.

Once a dream, today the District is positioned to attract new investments in the emerging biosciences industry and in New Orleans and Southeast Louisiana's Super - Region.  

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