Focusing on the world of outsourcing for medical device manufacturing coupled with a keen awareness of innovation in the space, Medical Product Outsourcing’s conference series—the MPO Summit—has provided the medtech industry with the most comprehensive programs for more than 10 years. These highly informative symposiums address critical issues impacting multiple stakeholders within the industry. In 2018, the MPO Summit arrives in Colorado—home to the sixth largest medical device sector according to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Graciously hosted by the Omni Interlocken Resort, this year’s Summit will simultaneously highlight the appeal of the region for medtech while tackling a number of the most significant issues for today’s medical device companies.

A quick look at the rankings published by Forbes, and it’s easy to see why Colorado is an attractive location for the 2018 MPO Summit. According to the publication, the state is first in “Best Place for Business & Careers” and “State for Labor Supply.” Forbes also sites Colorado as the third “Fastest Growing Economy in the U.S.” The life sciences sector contributes to these successes in a significant way. According to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the state’s bioscience industry employs more than 30,000 people at 720 companies. From 2012 through 2014, employment grew by 4.4 percent. Further, since 2012, there has been $1 billion in venture investments in bioscience, with $363 million in 2016 alone. Pouring talent into the region are three major educational institutions—CU Boulder, Colorado State University, and University of Colorado—which collectively enjoyed more than $1 billion in sponsored research funding for the life sciences.