If you work in life sciences in the Mid-Atlantic—or want to—May 7 should already be on your calendar.
The ISPE Chesapeake Bay Area (CBA) Mid-Atlantic Science & Tech Showcase (MAST), the chapter’s signature annual event, returns to Baltimore for its second year. What started as a strong debut is quickly establishing itself as one of the region’s most concentrated, accessible, and practical gatherings for biopharma professionals.
Ninety-plus exhibitors. A full day of education. A significantly expanded Career Center. A keynote tied directly to Maryland’s manufacturing momentum. And a format designed to make all of it usable in a single day.
It’s free to attend. And it’s where the region shows up.
Baltimore at the Center of Maryland’s Life Sciences Momentum
Baltimore has emerged as the epicenter of Maryland’s life sciences ecosystem—where research institutions, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development converge. The city anchors a broader statewide story, one that’s attracting serious capital and national attention.
AstraZeneca’s $2 billion manufacturing investment in Maryland—expected to support 2,600 jobs—signals the scale of what’s unfolding across the state. Baltimore sits at the heart of that momentum, with its concentration of talent, institutions, and infrastructure making it the natural center of gravity for the region’s growth.
MAST brings that momentum into one place.
For one day, the companies driving Maryland’s life sciences future, the partners supporting them, and the talent looking to be part of that growth are all in the same room. It’s a practical convergence—less about projection, more about proximity.
A Program That Reflects the Work Behind the Industry
MAST is built by ISPE, an organization known for its focus on the operational backbone of life sciences—engineering, manufacturing, quality, and the systems required to bring therapies to life.
That shows up clearly in the programming.
Education tracks span the topics professionals are actively navigating: AI in regulated environments, sustainability, quality and compliance, data and performance metrics, and the realities of facility and operational performance.
Sessions like “Validating Probabilistic AI in a GxP World” and “Operationalizing Innovation Without Compromising Compliance” reflect a broader shift—where emerging technologies are no longer theoretical, but need to be implemented within highly structured environments. A Women in Pharma panel, featuring leaders from AstraZeneca, Arcellx, Clasp Therapeutics, and Piper Companies, brings a complementary lens to strategy, planning, and leadership in today’s biopharma environment.
The keynote reinforces that same connection to real-world execution.
Brian Stamper, Executive Director and General Manager of Cell Therapy Operations at AstraZeneca, brings a perspective grounded in scale—spanning global manufacturing, process development, and the buildout of commercial cell therapy operations. His role sits directly at the intersection of workforce, infrastructure, and advanced therapies. That makes his keynote less about vision and more about how that vision actually gets built.
From Year Two to a More Intentional Experience
The biggest shift for MAST in 2026 isn’t just size—it’s design.
“Last year validated that there was real demand for a more accessible, regionally focused event like this,” said Jason Metzler, PE, LEED AP BD+C, Principal, Science & Technology Practice Leader, who is leading planning for Year Two. “This year, the focus is on depth—expanding the number of meaningful touchpoints across the day so attendees can engage more intentionally, whether that’s with content, companies, or each other.”
That intention shows up in how the experience is structured.
The exhibit hall, featuring more than 90 companies, is designed to be navigable and conversational—not overwhelming. Poster displays highlight active projects across the community, while interactive elements—from raffles to special guests—create natural entry points for engagement.
A Venue That Matches the Ambition
MAST 2026 is hosted at M&T Bank Stadium—a venue that does more than house the event.
The layout allows for natural movement between sessions, exhibits, and networking without the friction of a traditional conference center. Stadium tours add a memorable element to the day, and the presence of Baltimore’s own Oriole Bird keeps things grounded in local character. It’s a setting that reinforces what MAST is ultimately about: a regional event, rooted in place, built for the community it serves.
A Career Center Built for Real Outcomes
If there’s one area where MAST 2026 clearly levels up, it’s the Career Center.
Rather than treating career programming as a side feature, ISPE CBA has built it into a structured, full-day experience designed to create actual outcomes for attendees.
“The Career Center is intentionally designed to move beyond passive networking,” said Debbie Kaufmann, Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations at PQE Group, who is co-organizing the program alongside Cat Thoreson, Chief Operating Officer at BioBuzz. “It creates a framework where individuals can actively refine how they present themselves, engage directly with employers, and leave with a clearer understanding of where they fit—and how to get there.”
That framework includes resume reviews, mock interviews, career coaching, and professional headshots.
The “Passport to Success” ties it together—guiding attendees through a series of touchpoints with employers and resources, turning what could be a loosely structured experience into something more directed and productive.
Layered into this is a focused AI Skills Workshop, led by Robert Stoop, Senior Consultant, PQE Group, addressing one of the most immediate gaps in the workforce: how individuals and organizations prepare for rapid technological change.
A Day That Balances Utility with Experience
MAST is designed to be productive—but not rigid.
Alongside the technical sessions and career programming, the event includes poster showcases, exhibitor engagement activities, and a Music & Mingle After Party that gives attendees space to continue conversations in a more relaxed setting.
It’s a recognition that while the content matters, so do the connections that happen around it.
Register Now
MAST 2026 takes place May 7 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
It’s free to attend, but advance registration is strongly encouraged.
For professionals across the Mid-Atlantic life sciences community, this is the day worth clearing your calendar for. One day. One room. The learning, hiring, and connection that shape what comes next—without the cost or scale of a national conference.
Register now. Bring a colleague. We’ll see you May 7.
