Every January, the movers and shakers of biotech come to the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco to see and be seen, exchange information and move money by funding companies and forming partnerships and other alliances. Thousands of bankers, analysts and company executives mix and mingle at JP Morgan's Annual Healthcare Conference (often still called the H&Q), setting the tone for the year in biotech. Those attending the invitation-only conference go to the company presentations and meet in hallways and conferences rooms. But the action, especially for those not connected to JP Morgan, also takes place in the hotel's lobby and suites as well as those of surrounding hotels and restaurants. As an associate at the life sciences investment bank Ferghana Partners, I will be holding court in our company's hotel suite, meeting with company executives to hear about their businesses and technologies as well as to consider deals. I will also be traveling around downtown San Francisco, meeting with potential partners and associates. I will report my impressions throughout the conference, running January 9-12.