CBSA Applauds Gov. Ritter’s Signing of HBs 1035 & 1105, Ensuring Colo’s Position As a Thriving Location for Bioscience and Emerging Technology

Denver, CO -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has signed HB 1035 (expanding sales and use tax for medical device companies) and HB 1105 (Angel Investment Tax Credit), ensuring Colorado’s position as a thriving location for bioscience and emerging technology companies. The announcement is made by John Collar, President and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), who on behalf of the association commends Colorado Governor Bill Ritter for signing and the following legislators for sponsoring these two important pieces of legislation:

* HB 1035, sponsored by Representative Jim Riesberg (D-Greeley) and Senator Rollie Heath (D-Boulder)

* HB 1105, sponsored by Representative John Kefalas (D-Fort Collins) and Senator Mark Scheffel (R-Douglas County)

HB 1035 was signed Monday at the Greeley Chamber of Commerce CEO Forum luncheon. HB 1105, was signed Monday evening at a Town Hall Meeting and Reception held at the Council Tree Library in Fort Collins.

Link to the Business Wire Release

Cote’s Colorado: Colorado clean tech goes to Washington

From the June 2009 ColoradoBiz Magazine

" 'Washington is the new Wall Street,' lobbyist Kyle Simpson told a group of about 100 businesspeople gathered at a meeting of the newly launched Colorado Cleantech Industry Association in April. 'They’ve put a big collection of dollars behind this like they’ve never done before over a sustained period.'

Simpson works for the law firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, the association’s lobbying arm. Speaking to the Denver group via Web conferencing from Washington, D.C., Simpson and fellow policy director Mike McAdams offered a primer on how to apply for funding. They noted that federal agencies used to working on long-range projects are having difficulty adjusting to programs that must be allocated by 2010."

Link to read Mike Cote's column about the CCIA's federal lobbying program

Baxa Corporation: A Steadfast Focus on Pharmacy Safety -- Baxa Now Profiled on Rocky Radar

“We used to joke that we were Colorado’s best kept secret,” reports Baxa Corporation’s Vice President of Marketing Marian Robinson. This was before the company began garnering attention by winning awards and making headlines for acquiring ForHealth Technologies, a Florida based maker of healthcare software and robotics. For a firm that has been operating since 1981 as one of the state’s foremost family-owned businesses, the lack of recognition among the general public does come as a surprise, given the company reaps over $150M in sales and employs north of 500 people worldwide. Yet while Robinson admits there is some difficulty in putting a label around what Baxa does – manufacturing and marketing inexpensive disposables to expensive robotics for hospital pharmacies – the company has long enjoyed a reputation among its customers as the foremost provider of products for enhancing pharmacy safety.

Link to Rocky Radar's May 26th Profile of Baxa Corporation

Colorado Again Confirmed as Top Bioscience State by National Rankings & Venture Capital Funding Activity

Denver, CO -- "It's an exciting time to be a bioscience company in Colorado, and the state is continuing to garner the national attention it deserves for its top-notch bioscience industry," said John Collar, President and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA). "FierceBiotech highlighted Colorado as one of its top five biotech regions, and The Money Tree™ Report, recently released by Genome Technology, listed Colorado in its top 10 Venture Capital deals for both biotech and medical device and equipment.

Colorado's success at attracting venture capital was demonstrated earlier this month when Boulder-based Clovis Oncology, Inc. announced an impressive $145 million in start-up funding at its company launch. Clovis is focused on acquiring, developing and commercializing innovative anti-cancer agents in the U.S., Europe and additional international markets. The company is founded by former executives of Pharmion Corporation, which was acquired by Celgene Corporation in 2008 for $2.9 billion.

"We are so very pleased that the former Pharmion team has chosen to remain in the state and headquarter their new company here. With the experience behind them and the success of the business model from Pharmion, the bioscience industry and Colorado will be keeping a close, and proud, eye on this new start-up," Collar says.

Link to the PR Web Newswire

Boulder Daily Camera Includes CBSA/John Collar Perspective on GlobeImmune & Clovis Announcements

John Collar, CBSA President & CEO, provided perspective to DC Reporter Alicia Wallace on both the recent GlobeImmune and Clovis Oncology announcements.

Link to GlobeImmune signs partnership that could net $500M

Link to Pharmion vets launch new oncology venture

Colorado BioScience Association Featured for Second Time in European Life Science Journal

Link to CBSA's article about the Colorado BioScience industry in the Spring 2009 edition -- look in the USA Section.

From Colorado Energy News Profiling CCIA

"In Focus - The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

April 28, 2009 -- Founded only last year, the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association is nearly a 60-strong member organization that is already making its mark in our state. CCIA is dedicated to promoting Colorado’s cleantech industry, and, according to Executive Director, Christine Shapard, it is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state."

Link to the posting at ColoradoEnergyNews.com

Denver's Baxa Corp: CriticalPoint™ Training Rated “Excellent” in Customer Satisfaction

Englewood, Colo., May 13, 2009 – Baxa Corporation announces the positive customer satisfaction results for the online and on-demand training program, CriticalPoint, in a nationwide pharmacy survey. CriticalPoint is in use in 9% of the facilities surveyed by Pharmacy Purchasing and Products in its 2nd annual national survey released in May 2009 versus only 1% a year ago. In addition to market share information, a portion of the survey was focused on user satisfaction with training programs. Here, CriticalPoint scored 100% of their responses in the “Excellent” and “Good” ratings. On the five-point scale, these results represent the two highest satisfaction ratings. No other training program scored all responses in these two ranges.

According to the Pharmacy Purchasing and Products publication, “CriticalPoint received very high satisfaction rates, followed by Lab Safety Corp/Valiteq, ASHP and homegrown programs.” This high level of user satisfaction can be attributed to the program’s simple Internet access, high-quality content written by industry experts and the ease of tracking employee training through its Learning Management System (LMS).

Baxa Corporation markets the CriticalPoint compliance training modules as part of its Productivity and Compliance Tools (PACT) product line, which includes the Skills Training, Academics and Resources (STAR) Center classroom-based training for USP 797 compliance and aseptic compounding.

Link to the PR Newswire dissemination

Colorado BioScience Assn's Board Chair Rick Jory and Denver's Baxa Corp featured in CBS4 Alan Gionet "Good Question" Feature

Believe It Or Not, There Are Jobs Out There

Good Question: Where are all the jobs?

Written by Alan Gionet

"DENVER (CBS4) ― People showed up early to a jobs.com job fair. There were 75 prospective employers. Not like there used to be, but it was something.

'I have some good skills, I have a lot to offer,' one woman told CBS4. When some employers are reporting hundreds of people applying for a single job, the competition is tough. And some of the potential employers at the job fair, like Adams County government, didn't even have current job openings. It makes you wonder where the jobs are."

Link to the Web article and Video featuring the Colorado BioScience Association's board chair Rick Jory (web and video) and Denver's Baxa Corporation (video only).

Bedside Barcoding: CTO for Denver's Baxa Corp Speaks Today at unSUMMIT in Tampa

Englewood, Colo., May 6, 2009 -- FHT, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Baxa Corporation, is sponsoring a professional presentation discussing the accuracy and importance of Bar Code Medication Administration (BCMA) at this year's unSUMMIT for Bedside Barcoding, May 6-8, in Tampa. The presenter, Dennis Tribble, PharmD, is the Chief Pharmacy Officer and Chief Technology Officer for Baxa Corporation's FHT, Inc. Baxa is a Denver-based manufacturer of software and devices for healthcare systems.

The FHT, Inc. unSUMMIT conference session, "Upstream Processing for BCMA," describes the infrastructure necessary for a successful BCMA system. The complimentary 50-minute educational program is being held today, Wednesday, May 6, 2009, at 2:20 p.m. Participants are eligible for one contact hour of Pharmacy Continuing Education (CEU).

Link to the PRWeb Newswire

Colorado included in May 1 GEN article

Gail Dutton included Colorado in her feature, "Emerging Biotechnology Clusters," in the May 1 Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. Here's the paragraph about Colorado:

"Colorado also has strong potential, with continued high levels of state funding for start-up companies and research intuitions. Precommercialization funding grants are capped at $250 million for companies from a five-year, $26.5 million program. Additional funding also is available. Clusters are forming in Denver and Boulder, but the nascent firms tend to be acquired by larger companies before reaching maturity."

Link to read the feature

Effectively Using PR: Maggie Chamberlin Holben Guest Interviews On VoiceAmerica™ Talk Radio’s “Essential Marketing Secrets," Hosted By Casey Demchak

Lakewood, CO, April 28, 2009 -- Absolutely Public Relation’s Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, will guest interview on Casey Demchak’s VoiceAmerica™ Talk Radio Show, “Essential Marketing Secrets,” Wednesday, April 29, 11 a.m. MTN. The interview focuses on Holben’s article, “Effectively Using PR To Turn Up The Volume On Your Brand,” which includes 15 tips to jump start a company’s PR engine. The show is broadcast live on the network’s business channel live, the direct link is:

Link to Casey Demchak's VoiceAmerica Business PR Episode

Listeners can call in with questions during the live broadcast to (866) 472-5789. Following the broadcast, the interview will be available for download in MP3 podcast format. In addition, the text of the “Effectively Using PR. . .” article is posted online at the following link:

Link to Holben's "Effectively Using PR" article (download option available)

Link to the PRWeb newswire

Baxa Corporation Wins Two 2009 Colorado BMA Gold Key Awards

Englewood, Colo., April 27, 2009 – Baxa Corporation, a Denver-based manufacturer of software and devices for healthcare systems, has won two Business Marketing Association Gold Key Awards for 2009. The awards – both silvers – were awarded under Product Literature for the Baxa corporate capability brochure and Web Sites/Search Engine Marketing for its in-house produced STAR Center Web site. The 2009 Gold Key Awards featured more than 50 awards from the 43 award categories, as well as five Best of Show.

The BMA Gold Key Awards are one of Colorado’s most highly acclaimed marketing competitions, with entries reviewed by a panel of six independent judges from across the US. Winners were honored during a ceremony held on April 24th at The Curtis Ballroom of Comedy Works South in Greenwood Village.

Link to PR Newswire

Link to the 2009 Gold Key Winners -- full listing

Colorado BioScience Association Names Rick Jory Board Chair

Denver, CO, April 26, 2009 -- Rick Jory, CEO of Sandhill Scientific, Inc. (http://www.sandhillsci.com/), Highlands Ranch, was named chairperson of the board of directors for the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) at its 2009 annual all-member meeting held at the Colorado National Golf Club facilities in Erie, CO, last Tuesday. The announcement is made by John Collar, CBSA President & CEO, who says Jory assumes chairperson responsibilities from Jack Wheeler, entrepreneur and founder of MicroPhage, Inc.

Prior to introducing Jory to the CBSA membership, Wheeler announced the following 2009 association sponsors: Platinum - Cooley Godward Kronish, Colorado State University, and the University of Colorado. Gold - Colorado Science + Technology Park at Fitzsimons, Merck & Co., Inc. and Snell & Wilmer Silver - Amgen, CaridianBCT, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Ernst & Young, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, and Pfizer. Bronze - Baxa Corporation, Dorsey & Whitney, Fairfield & Woods, Hogan & Hartson, Holland & Hart, Johnson & Johnson, OSI Pharmaceuticals, PhRMA, Poisinelli Shughart and We Work for Health.

Link to the PRWeb newswire

Baxa 'Ecological' Program Promotes Benefits of Recycling

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Baxa Corporation announces the launch of its 'ecological' program to encourage smart use of natural resources. Joining the 'green generation,' Baxa has put in place actions to celebrate Earth Day 2009 and create meaningful environmental change. Historically, Baxa has chosen product designs and raw materials that reduce waste and improve patient safety and minimize environmental impact. More recently, the company has introduced specific initiatives for reducing its environmental impact and advancing its environmental stewardship.

Link to the PR Newswire Release

Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference: Coming September 17th in Denver

See the future of healthcare at the Rocky Mountain region’s first and only life science investor conference, September 17th at the Ritz Carlton in Denver. The Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference is bringing together leading investors, emerging companies and senior executives to cultivate partnerships within the industry.

• Thirty of this region’s most innovative private and public life science companies will present to a targeted audience of device, diagnostic and pharma investors. Registration begins April 20, 2009.
• Presenting companies will find partnering opportunities throughout the day. To maximize time at the conference, biopartnering.com facilitates connection with potential partners weeks in advance and follow-up after the conference. Partnering opens July 20th, 2009.

The Rocky Mountain region is the largest and most advanced area between both coasts, garnering more than $10 billion dollars in financings and acquisitions since the end of 2006.

Link to the conference website

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Announces “Interactive Q&A: What Can Your Clean Tech Company Do to Be a Top Contender for Federal DOE Funds?”

Denver, CO, April 8, 2009 -- The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) and its federal lobbying firm, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, are hosting an interactive Q&A with Kyle Simpson, former Associate Deputy Secretary for DOE's Energy Programs, Mike McAdams, former Policy Advisor to BP's Lord Browne and John Herrick, former Chief Counsel for the DOE's Golden office. The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director, who says the event is April 15, 3-5 p.m., at the offices of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, 410 Seventeenth Street, Suite 2200. Admission is free for CCIA members and $80 for non-member guests.

“We’ve all seen the headlines talking about billions of dollars of stimulus funds for renewable energy and clean technologies going to the US Department of Energy (DOE),” Shapard says. “It sounds good, and it is, but it doesn't mean much unless you are one of the grant recipients. But where is the money going and what does it take to be a top contender? This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to learn from the experts what it will take to be competitively positioned to win some of the billions invested in DOE's clean technology programs.” Advance registration requested to:

Christine (Chris) Shapard
Executive Director, Colorado
Cleantech Industry Association
1445 Market Street, 5th Floor
Denver, CO 80202, 303-623-2690
Chris@coloradocleantech.com

Link to the news release

Baxa Corporation Gets Social With Facebook and LinkedIn

Colorado Medical Device Company, Baxa Corporation, invites customers to just "have fun" and use social media tools to connect and share experience on Facebook and LinkedIn. More and more healthcare facilities, medical device companies and hospitals are using social media as a powerful tool to interact with their customers on a more personal level - complementing their more formal Web site content.

Link to the PRWeb Newswire

Link to Baxa Corp's Facebook Fan Page

Link to Baxa Corp's LinkedIn Group Page

Absolutely Public Relations Celebrates Its Aluminum (Tenth) Anniversary In Business

Absolutely Public Relations is celebrating its tenth, or aluminum, anniversary per celebration lore. Owner/Founder Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, says a milestone anniversary in business is cause to celebrate the client partnerships that made the longevity possible. To that note Holben salutes these current clients: Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, Bell Aquaculture, Colorado BioScience Association, Baxa Corporation, Dr. Martha Lucas/Cosmetic Acupuncture Seminars, and Holben Building Corporation.

Link to the PRWeb newswire

Absolutely PR's Maggie Holben Shares Expert PR Perspective with Boulder Daily Camera

Maggie Holben provided expert PR perspective to Reporter Heath Urie in the March 19th article in the Boulder Daily Camera, "Feds: BCH wasn't told to withhold information about dirty needles."

In part she said: "Obviously there is a huge amount of liability in a situation like this, so PR people -- who are really the voice of the top management -- they are going to be very careful about what they say and what they do," said Holben, who is not involved in the Boulder case..."It would be common sense if something that serious was going on that you would get with your CEO and your legal person and say, 'woo hoo, this is potentially publicly embarrassing or a public health concern and we better figure out a response that is both in good conscience and legal.'"

Link to the article

CBSA Helps Launch We Work For Health Initiative in Colorado

Denver, CO, March 20, 2009 – The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) is partnering with twenty-six national and state entities to announce the ‘We Work For Health’ (WWFH) initiative in Colorado. The announcement is made by John Collar, CBSA President & CEO, who says the new group’s launch event – Saving Lives, Creating Jobs -- occurs today at University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. U.S. Senator Michael Bennet is the special guest speaker via satellite from Washington.

“The Colorado BioScience Association is absolutely thrilled to be a partner in the We Work For Health initiative in the state,” Collar says. “The United States, and our state in particular, has been a world leader in bioscience innovation and discovery over the years. Further, our universities and bioscience companies create thousands of high-paying jobs, and Colorado discoveries are integral in the fight to cure cancer and other illnesses. Today’s event is only first of many for the new initiative in our state.”

Link to the We Work For Health Colorado webpage

Chicago Tribune's Bill Daley Features Bell Aquaculture March 18

Indiana farm helps answer the world's growing appetite for seafood

Fish farms are the way to meet our growing seafood appetite, say proponents

Meet the yellow perch

CBSA Included in March 15 Genetic Engineering News Article

Remarks included from CBSA's John Collar: "Colorado is another bright spot. It has built its biosciences industry from scratch in this decade, thanks in great part to a state commitment that funded start-ups and built the necessary infrastructure."

A lot of positive things are happening in Colorado," according to John Collar, executive director, Colorado Biosciences Association.

Although the state is facing a budget shortfall of some $604 million, "the legislative groups are doing a good job crafting a budget to go forward with the commitment to biosciences," including making funds available for proof-of-concept and early-stage companies, he says.

Link to the article

Newslink Indiana Television: Bell Aquaculture expects bright future

"It took just under two years for Bell Aquaculture in Albany to become the nation’s largest grower and producer of yellow perch.Yellow perch is one of the most popular North American pan fish. The fish raised at Bell, however, are unique because they are raised in a controlled environment. A water recirculation and filtration system keeps the fish in a clean living area and in appropriate temperatures. The fish are also raised on pure well water and fed specially formulated diets. The fish are monitored along every step of their growth process to ensure a high-quality product." Read and view Newslink's TV coverage by Reporter Jessica Miller. . .

Link to the Newslink Indiana website

Bell Aquaculture Featured in the March 2009 Fish Farming International

"Perch Farmer Finishes Plant...Bell Aquaculature, owner and operator of the USA's largest yellow erch (Perca flavenscnes) farm, has completed build-out of its corporate headquarters and processing facilities in Redkey, Indiana." Read more. . .

Link to the FFI website (subscription required)

Link to the article pdf

CBSA Featured In Winter 2009-09 European Life Science Journal

European Life Science is the premier journal devoted to presenting outstanding research and researchers within the life science fields in Europe.

As a cross-disciplinary journal, European Life Science, profiles all fields that provide new insight into the research development of human health and disease such as clinical advances in medicine, biotechnology, chemistry, drug discovery, genetics, material science, medical research, microbiology, molecular cell biology, neuroscience, pharmacology and physics. It also provides you with issues concerning intellectual property case law and policy.

Link to the ELSJ website

Link to the CBSA article pdf

February 2009 Med Ad News Placement

Quote from CBSA and President & CEO John Collar: The biotech industry does have one inherent advantage in tough times – some of the world’s most innovatory leaders. "Bioscience companies are renowned for excellent management teams," says John Collar, executive director of the Colorado BioScience Association (cobioscience.com). "They, of course, will keep a tight eye on the fundamentals of cost management and implementing innovative lean operational measures, while narrowly focusing on developing products and services with significant market potentials. Firms that bring innovative, lower cost, and more effective products and services to market will not only survive these times, but will be the powerhouses of the industry going forward."

Link to the full article (subscription required)

Baxa Corporation Launches “Culture of Safety” Campaign to Recognize National Patient Safety Awareness Week

Englewood, Colo., March 10, 2009 – Baxa Corporation, a leading developer of technology for the safe handling, packaging and administration of fluid medications, announces the launch of a targeted campaign recognizing patient safety. The year-long “Culture of Safety” campaign is intended to emphasize the need for a true cultural change in attitudes and practices geared towards patient and medication safety. The campaign is timed to launch during National Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 8-14, targeting both pharmacy and nursing staff in U.S. hospitals.

“Baxa intends to play a leading role as a change agent where both patient and medication safety is concerned,” says Greg Baldwin, Chairman and CEO. “In difficult economic times, budgets and services can be reduced or eliminated – making it more important than ever to help bring patient safety awareness levels up,” says Baldwin. Baxa provides devices and systems that improve pharmacy productivity and provide solutions for enhancing patient safety, and reducing the opportunity for medication errors.

Link to PR Newswire Release

Baxa Corporation Acquires Florida-Based ForHealth Technologies™

Englewood, Colo., March 3, 2009 – Baxa Corporation, a leading developer of technology for the safe handling, packaging and administration of fluid medications, today announced that it has acquired ForHealth Technologies, Inc., a Florida-based healthcare robotics and software company, in a strategic expansion of its focus on health-system pharmacy automation and IV room productivity. Terms were not disclosed.

Link to PR Newswire

Link to PR Web

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Gives Thumbs Up to Bell Aquaculture's Bell Perch™ at Purdue's Ag Alumni Fish Fry

"Absolutely delicious," said Governor Mitch Daniels in last Saturday's Muncie Star-Press (http://www.thestarpress.com/) about the Bell Perch™ served at the annual Purdue University Agricultural Alumni Fish Fry held Feb. 7 in Indianapolis. Further, according to the Star-Press, Gov. Daniels "told (Purdue) President (France) Cordova ... that now there was no excuse ever to have a fishless fish fry again."

Under sponsorship of the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), Bell Aquaculture helped bring fish back to the menu at Purdue University's Agricultural Alumni Fish Fry this year. The announcement was made earlier this month by Michael Miller, Bell Aquaculture President & COO, who said fish - specifically Indiana raised Bell Perch™ - was being reintroduced to the event's menu this year, in addition to pork.

Link to the PR Web newswire

Link to the Muncie Star-Press article

From the Muncie Star-Press: Local fish a hit at Purdue fish fry

Diners call Delaware County fish fillets 'small, uniform, tasty and tender.'

By SETH SLABAUGH • seths@muncie.gannett.com • February 14, 2009

MUNCIE -- Farm-raised yellow perch from Delaware County were a hit with Gov. Mitch Daniels at the recent Purdue University Agricultural Alumni Fish Fry.

"Absolutely delicious," the governor said. "I told (Purdue) President (France) Cordova ... that now there was no excuse ever to have a fishless fish fry again."

Link to the Muncie Star-Press article

Link to Purdue Ag Fish Fry Coverage on MSNBC Digital

Link to Purdue Ag Fish Fry Coverage on the Channel 13/WTHR.com

From the Muncie Star-Press: Bell hopes to expand market for perch filets

The ''aquaculture'' company is kicking off production with Purdue's fish fry and with a handful of local restaurants.

By KEITH ROYSDONkroysdon@muncie.gannett.com

MUNCIE -- Bell Aquaculture's ambitious plan to raise and market yellow perch to restaurants throughout this part of the Midwest was due to kick off this weekend as the Albany- and Redkey-based business supplied filets for the Purdue University Agricultural Alumni Fish Fry.

Michael Miller, president and chief operating officer of Bell Aquaculture, said the next step -- supplying perch filets to three Delaware County restaurants -- is only the first of many in the long march to his ultimate goal of selling 8.5 million pounds of fish per year by 2015.

Link to the Muncie Star-Press news article

Absolutely PR's Maggie Holben To Speak on CBSA BioBreakfast Panel Wed., Feb. 18

Do you want to get publicity and media attention for your business? Are you not getting the attention you deserve? When you get the right media coverage, your sales can double, investors begin to take notice, and you gain new customers. Find out from the experts how to garner media attention and to effectively use public relations at this BioBreakfast.

Panelists include:

Dee Rambeau is the co-founder and Managing Partner of The Fuel Team and also works with PR Newswire. He has over 25 years of experience in marketing, promotions, television and communications. An award-winning writer and producer, Dee has produced over 200 hours of documentary and sports television for cable and broadcast. Additionally he has scripted and produced more than 50 corporate videos for branding, marketing or internal communications. Dee primarily focuses on online aspects of media relations and stakeholder relations. His specialty is media websites, social media, and search engine optimization.

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, owner of Denver's Absolutely Public Relations, is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America and is a member of the PRSA Counselors Academy. In addition, she is certified as an industry analyst relations practitioner. Holben's consultancy offers several online newsrooms to assist clients, including PublicRelationsNewsroom.com, Expert411.com and DenverPRNewsroom.com. Frequently interviewed as a Public Relations Expert by the media, Holben holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and has taught both advertising and PR courses at the university level. Most recently, Holben’s “Seven Ways To Get The Media Attention You Deserve” article was published in the PRNews’ Media Training Guidebook, 2009 Edition. She blogs pitches and placements at http://denverpr.blogspot.com/ and tweets from http://www.twitter.com/DenverPR.

Rachel Brand has more than 16 years of experience in writing and communications. As a wire reporter, she wrote breaking stories on commodities and Chicago-area news. As an award-winning newspaper reporter at the Rocky Mountain News, she covered general business, the health care industry, health policy, health legislation, and the retail, natural foods, beer, marketing and public relations industries. As a freelance writer for AARP Bulletin and State Legislatures magazines, she covers health care policy and legislation.

Baxa Corporation is sponsoring this event and and VP/Marketing Marian Robinson will serve as moderator.

For more information go to: http://www.cobioscience.com/programsandevents.php

“Seven Ways to Get the Media Attention You Deserve,” by Absolutely PR Owner/Founder Maggie Holben Included in Media Training Guidebook Vol. 2

Lakewood, CO – February 12, 2009 – The article, “Seven Ways to Get the Media Attention You Deserve” by Maggie Chamberlin Holben, owner/founder of Denver public relations consulting firm, Absolutely Public Relations, has been included in the Media Training Guidebook Vol. 2, recently published by PR News. The announcement made by Holben who says the book is now available for purchase online from the PR News organization.

Link to the PR Web newswire

Colorado BioScience Association and Four Area Economic Development Groups Tout Colorado’s Strengths to the Medical Device Industry at MD&M West

Denver, CO, February 10, 2009 – For three days, representatives from the Colorado BioScience Association -- along with four of the state’s economic development entities -- will be showcasing Colorado’s vast medical device sector at the 25th annual Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) West Expo. The announcement is made by John Collar, CBSA Executive Director, who says more than 16,000 medical device and product development professionals are attending MD&M West in Anaheim, CA, February 9-12, 2009.

The four economic development organizations attending MD&M West Expo with the CBSA include: Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, City of Westminster, Jefferson Economic Council and Adams County Economic Development Corporation.

Link to the release posted at SmartBrief, Inc.

Baxa Corporation Ranks Seventh in ColoradoBiz Magazine's Top 50 Family-Owned Companies

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Feb. 6 -- Baxa Corporation, an Englewood Colorado-based medical device company, announces its 7th-place ranking in the 2009 list of the Top 50 Family-Owned Companies in Colorado. Qualifying companies must be based in Colorado, the company's ownership must be controlled by a single family, and controlling family members must be active in management. In addition, the family has to have been involved in the company for at least two generations, or seem likely to be. Baxa Corporation is owned and managed by the sons of founder Brian Baldwin. It's the company's fifth year on the annual ColoradoBiz magazine list.

Link to PRWeb newswire

Fish - Specifically Bell Aquaculture’s Bell Perch™ - Is Back On The Menu At Purdue’s Ag Alumni Fish Fry Feb. 7

Under sponsorship of the Indiana Soybean Alliance, Bell Aquaculture is helping bring fish back to the menu at Purdue University's Agricultural Alumni Fish Fry this Saturday, Feb. 7. Fish – specifically Indiana raised Bell Perch™ – is being reintroduced to the event’s menu this year at the 11:30 a.m. luncheon in the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.The guest speaker for this year’s event is NBC's Andrea Mitchell, who will give guests an inside look at the national political scene from the perspective of a broadcast news veteran.

Link to the PR Web newswire

New Study Reports Colorado Now Ranks 11th in U.S. for Bioscience Venture Capital Investments

Gov. Bill Ritter, the Colorado BioScience Association and Colorado Office of Economic Development publicly released the Colorado Bioscience Roadmap 2008 at “Bioscience Day at the Capitol,” on Friday. The announcement is made by John Collar, Executive Director of CBSA, who says the Colorado Bioscience Roadmap 2008 is an updated version of the 2003 report, Colorado’s Place in the Sun: An Action Plan to Grow Colorado’s Bioscience Cluster, prepared for the CBSA by the national Battelle Technology Partnership Practice organization.

“Among the most impressive findings, the new study reports $1.3 billion was invested in Colorado bioscience companies 2002 through Q2 2008, ranking Colorado 11th in the U.S. for bioscience venture capital investments,” Collar explains. “The new report shows us that Colorado is indeed on the right path to becoming a top-ten bioscience hub and pinpoints strategic areas where we need to focus our immediate attention during the next five years to position the bioscience sector as a key driver of Colorado’s economy.”

"More than 18,000 Coloradans are now involved in this field,” Gov. Ritter said. “We want to continue this industry growth trend and build upon our successes. Using the updated action plan will allow us to be more targeted and strategic in our planning, as well as to better compete at a national and international level.”

Link to the release

Bell Aquaculture Completes Corporate Headquarters and Processing Facilities in Redkey, IN

Bell Aquaculture, owner and operator of the nation’s largest yellow perch (Perca flavescens) farm, has completed build out of its corporate headquarters and processing facilities in Redkey, Indiana. Darien (Illinois)-based Wight & Company, began work on the 28,000-square-foot Redkey construction project in July, four months after Bell Aquaculture announced its launch in March.

The announcement is made by Michael Miller, Bell Aquaculture President & COO, who says construction was completed on schedule in Redkey; the complex is about five miles from the fish farm production facilities in Albany.

PR Newswire

Inside INdiana Business

Denver-Based SDR Ventures Retained to Initiate $15 Million Equity Raise for Bell Aquaculture

Bell Aquaculture, owner and operator of the nation’s largest yellow perch (Perca flavescens) farm, has retained SDR Ventures, Inc., a Denver-based investment bank, to raise $15 million of equity capital. The announcement is made by Michael Miller, Bell Aquaculture President & COO, who says this equity raise is the first step in scaling the yellow perch farm from a current annual production level of 208,000 pounds of fillets per year to 8.5 million pounds of fillets per year by 2015.

“Rarely do you see a young company with the focus, commitment and vision exhibited by Bell Aquaculture,” Chris Bouck, SDR Ventures founder, says. “Through significant capital investment and partnerships with the leading minds in the industry, Bell Aquaculture has perfected the model for a profitable, large-scale indoor water-recirculating aquaculture farm. We look forward to securing the capital, and more importantly, linking Bell Aquaculture with a financial partner, or partners, that share the Company’s vision and commitment.”

Read the BusinessWire Release

Absolutely PR Places Denver Acupuncturist in National Women's Magazine

Absolutely PR, with the help of a Profnet lead, successfully placed Dr. Martha Lucas, a Denver acupuncturist, in an article in the January 26th First magazine for women, on sale nationally on newsstands through Jan 25th. The article, by Brenda Kearns, explains how acupuncture cuts allergic reactions by 76%.

"We've been assisting Martha with PR -- plus enjoying helpful weekly acupuncture treatments -- since 2001," says Maggie Holben, Absolutely PR owner/founder. "First has a 1.3 million circulation and gives Martha excellent exposure both locally and nationally. On the national front, Martha conducts seminars for cosmetic acupuncture and pulse analysis."

Link to the Dr. Martha Lucas website

Absolutely PR Owner/Founder Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Appointed to Second Three-Year Term on The Colorado BioScience Association Board

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, owner/founder of Denver public relations consulting firm Absolutely Public Relations, has been appointed to a second three-year term on the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) Board of Directors. As a board member of the CBSA since 2005, Holben serves as chair of the association’s Communications Committee and assists with media relations efforts for the organization.

In 2008, Absolutely PR's CBSA Colorado Rankings campaign was featured in Medical Device Daily; Externship campaign in BioOptics World, Nature Biotechnology and BioWorld Perspectives; and a CBSA bylined article for Drug Discovery & Development. Further, in the Denver market, CBSA enjoy numerous placements this year, including most recently the Denver Post feature on the CBSA/BioWest Venture Showcase competition and new executive director Q&A, and the Denver Business Journal exclusive of the John Collar Executive Director announcement in late November. Colorado Public Radio in Denver and Boulder both ran features about CBSA and its BioWest Venture Showcase competition, plus 9News/My20's Kyle Dyer aired an interview about the new CBSA Career Fair debuting at the 2008 BioWest Conference & Expo.

Since 2005 when the CBSA’s formal media relations program launched by Absolutely PR for CBSA, there have been 523 recorded print editorial media placements, which is the equivalent of at least $433,076.59 if the same amount of space was purchased as advertising. These print placements total 34,715,218 in circulation exposure (metrics updated as of December 12, 2008).

In addition to traditional mainstream media targets Absolutely PR has also made extensive use of the new media information pipelines for CBSA, including the Colorado BioScience Association LinkedIn group, managed by Holben -- http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=98468&trk=anet_ug_grppro; a blogspot newsfeed -- http://coloradobio.blogspot.com/; and ongoing Twitter posts for CBSA pitches and placements, plus announcement tweets throughout the 2008 BioWest conference, Nov. 13 and 14.

Absolutely PR offers DenverPRNewsroom.com - PublicRelationsNewsroom.com and Expert411.com to help clients achieve media awareness success. The company blogs placements and postings here at http://denverpr.blogspot.com/ and on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/DenverPR

Read the PRWeb Release

2008 -- fun stuff for @DenverPR aka Maggie Holben, APR

Absolutely PR Owner/Founder Maggie Holben (@DenverPR on Twitter) got the special opportunity to meet megaTwitter person @GuyKawasaki -- even sit by him at the Innovation Luncheon he keynoted at the Colorado BioScience Association's BioWest 2008, November 13 in Denver. Guy Kawasaki (seen with Maggie in the photo) is the accomplished author, Apple Fellow and Business Innovator who is the creator of the amazing new Blog Magazine site called AllTop.com. Maggie has served on the CBSA's board of directors since 2005 (she was appointed to a second three-year term in 2008) and has provided media relations consulting to the association the entire time. She was introduced to CBSA by medical device manufacturer Baxa Corporation, an Absolutely PR client since 2003. "I'm so very glad I said yes to both Denise Brown, founding CBSA executive director, and Marian Robinson, Baxa Corp Marketing VP, when they asked me to participate in CBSA," Maggie says.

Other good news in 2008 -- Absolutely PR welcomed Bell Aquaculture, Albany, IN, to its client list.

Denver's Baxa Corp Announces 2009 Course Dates for its STAR Center® Training Facility

Englewood, Colo., December 17, 2008 – Baxa Corporation has published the 2009 course dates for training at its STAR (Skills Training, Academics and Resources) Center. The STAR Center, a premier facility designed for cleanroom and pharmacy practice demonstration, is located at the company’s headquarters south of Denver, Colorado. For 2009, Baxa and USP (United States Pharmacopeia) together bring you sixteen opportunities to attend their flagship course, Aseptic Processing and Compliance Tools for USP 797. This two-and-one-half-day seminar will be taught by industry experts and members of the USP 797 Sterile Compounding Committee. In addition a companion course, Safe Handling and Preparation of Hazardous Drugs, will be offered six times during the 2009 calendar year with professional faculty.

PR Newswire

Global Trend of Farmed Fish Consumption Overtaking Wild-Raised Plays Out Domestically With Launch of Bell Aquaculture

This year for the first time, according to a recent Wall Street Journal/Europe article, humans will eat more farmed fish than wild fish. The announcement is made by Michael Miller, Bell Aquaculture President & COO, who says the WSJ referenced a report now being prepared by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and featured a cod farm in Norway. The same trend is playing out in the U.S./Great Lakes Region for yellow perch, as detailed in Food Engineering magazine, with Bell Aquaculture's launch this year of the nation's largest yellow perch farm. Plus, the same holds true for farmed salmon in the UK, according to The Times Online. Details of each article follows.

Link to the PR Web Release

Thank you Steve Raabe and the Sunday Denver Post

Yesterday's Sunday Denver Post featured a Q&A with the Colorado BioScience Assn's new Executive Director John Collar and DP Business Reporter Steve Raabe. The photo here was taken last week by Karl Gehring, The Denver Post.


Read the article: Biomedical work may eventually cut health costs - The Denver Post

Baxa Corp Leads With New Rapid-Fill Colored Labels Product At ASHP In Orlando

Baxa Corporation announces its focus on new Rapid-Fill ASF colored label and Productivity and Compliance Tools (PACT) products at the 2008 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists Mid-year Clinical Meeting and Exhibition beginning today at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Also featured in Baxa booth #2249 are the Exacta-Mix™ 2400 Automated Compounder and Abacus™ TPN Calculation Software.

Read about in on PR Web

Baxa Corporation Announces Co-Marketing Agreement With Industry Leaders Pharmacy OneSource, Inc, and ClinicalIQ, LLC

Englewood, Colo., December 3, 2008 -- Baxa Corporation has teamed up with industry leaders ClinicalIQ, LLC and Pharmacy OneSource, Inc., to convey a complete compliance solution for the latest updates in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 797 regulations. The alliance among these industry-leading companies provides health-system pharmacies with the tools to stay compliant with the standards set forth by USP. Each company focuses on one of the three regulatory requirements of USP 797: personnel training, facility design and quality documentation. These companies' products and services are designed to work in tandem, simplifying the requirements and helping users meet pharmacy-specific USP 797 compliance needs.

Link to the full release