How to hack it? Public policy discussions don’t have to happen only once a year at a legislative fly-in or lobby day. At the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, known as MassBio, these conversations also take place at caucus meetups held during widely attended industry meetings.

“Having the MedTech Conference in Boston provided a great opportunity to introduce legislators and their staff to the life sciences and introduce them directly to companies and other stakeholders directly engaged in the industry,” says Zach Stanley, MassBio’s vice president of public affairs.

This year’s caucus was held in the convention hall and focused on job growth and industry expansion in the life sciences.

Thank you MA State Rep @jeffroy & Matt Young of @repwagner's office for joining us during the #biotech caucus event at @MedTechCon – MA is the #StateOfPossible! @BobCoughlin @MALifeSciences pic.twitter.com/tpwNmYgOGx

— MassBio (@MassBio) September 24, 2019

Why does it work? Many of MassBio’s members are already in attendance at meetings like MedTech, so it made sense to facilitate an informal, caucus-style policy event.

“We help to facilitate these events along with the biotech caucus leadership, focusing on public policy topics that are timely and relevant to both the industry and legislators,” Stanley says.

What’s the bonus? The caucus meetups also serve as get-to-know sessions for lawmakers and members. “It creates and strengthens the relationship between our industry leaders and elected officials, so we can have the best, most productive working relationship even on the most complex and contentious topics.”

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