For the Andalusian Public Health System Biobank, ISBER is an opportunity to connect with experts in biobanking through the forum and meetings, where we can solve new biobank challenges. Through different groups, we can also contribute to common objetives with a higher scope. ISBER membership allows us access to educational webinars and other tools to keep us updated on the latest news in the field. Specifically, the ISBER Best Practices are a reference that is being taken into account to develop new procedures, being a recommended reading for employees. Additionally, thanks to the Biorepository Proficiency Testing Program, we have our processes and samples controlled. In short, we feel part of a community.
-Rocio Aguilar Quesada
Biobanco del Sistema Sanitario Público de Andalucía, Spain

ISBER is an incredible resource for our institution – our Biorepository benefits from international networking, educational insights, new product and science spotlights, development opportunities, and a voice in policy shaping. Our multidisciplinary bioethicists and clinicians gain perspective through access to webinars addressing the challenges associated with leading clinical research. Much of this content is only available through ISBER and its passionate membership.
-Billy Schleif
Manager, Johns Hopkins All Children's Pediatrics Biorepository

Membership of ISBER has helped the Wales Cancer Biobank (WCB) to ensure operational activity is optimal. Having the Best Practices as a reference resource and the Annual meeting as a forum for learning and exchange of ideas are both highly valuable. For WCB in 2021, one of the most beneficial aspects of membership has been the introduction of the new Qualification in Biorepository Science (QBRS). One of the biobank staff became the first person in Europe to pass the QBRS qualification and it has helped recognise and professionalise the activities of biobank personnel.
-Alison Parry-Jones
Wales Cancer Biobank, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Great Britain

Biobank at University Hospital in Pilsen, Czech Republic is a hospital integrated biobank specialized mainly on blood, plasma and serum samples of oncology patients from the Pilsen Region. Biobank was established in 2017 and since that time actively follows ISBER activities. First were annual meetings, later educational workshops - the opportunity for finding new contacts for sharing experience and be informed about new challenges in biobanking all over the world. Best practices and their regular upgrades are important source of information not only for newly established biobanks. Especially ELSI issues helped our biobank in preparation of informed consent and other issues. We are proud to be a member of ISBER biobank family.
-Judita Kinkorová
Biobank of the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University and the University Hospital Pilsen, Czech Republic

The McCain GU Biobank has been an active ISBER member since 2015. As part of the ISBER community we are able to access many Biobanking tools such as the ISBER Best Practices, the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) and related webinars, which have helped us validate our internal SOPs and processes. The most rewarding part of being an ISBER member is the ability to network with Biobank peers across the world via member forum and annual events. The community is very welcoming and provides tremendous support and guidance by sharing knowledge on various aspects of Biobanking. ISBER's working groups are very interactive and resourceful. ISBER has provided us with a platform to share our experience with other Biobanks and researchers. Overall, our experience as an ISBER member has been very rewarding and we would like to continue to be a part of this excellent scientific community.
-Heidi Wagner
McCain GU Biobank

I am an active member of ISBER since 2006, currently directing a large biorepository at an academic medical center in USA.

I attribute my professional success as a biobanker to ISBER. ISBER has been responsible for transforming me from a novice biobanker of 2006 to where I am now. ISBER is the first global biobanking society established in the late 1990s.The society boasts of the largest number of globally diverse biobanking experts as its members. The ISBER Biobanking Best Practices, updated regularly, is a seminal document which is quoted by almost all other biobanking best practices document/s worldwide, and has constantly provided me with up to date knowledge on all aspects of biobanking, be it setting up a biobank, tackling the ELSI issues, managing quality components of a biobank or safe- guarding the collection long term. Additionally, the Biobank- Assessment Tool provides me a comprehensive tool to check where I lack in following the ISBER Best Practices and provides answer/s to correct the course. ISBER's External Quality Assurance program in collaboration with the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg is the only biobanking proficiency program available to the global biobanking community and has helped me tweak my work processes to improve my lab's work quality. ISBER's annual conference, with its well-crafted program highlighting the latest biobanking trends and innovations, as well as its burgeoning role in the bio medical research world, is a must attend biobanking event. The amount of biobanking knowledge and education I have gained from these conferences is unparalleled. And to top it all, the networking opportunities it provides to junior, middle and senior biobankers, by itself makes it a must for anyone involved with or planning to step into the world of biobanking. Other educational opportunities like the virtual webinars and regional meetings add an icing on the cake. The recently introduced QBRS exam is a much needed, and sought after, addition to assess and certify staff competency in biobanking practices.

ISBER's all-inclusive culture of providing a channel to diverse views on biobanking and lending an equitable helping hand to biobanks/biobankers across the developing, as well as the developed countries, in navigating the local and global challenges related to biobanking makes it stand apart from other biobanking societies. Providing opportunities to smaller biobanks to showcase their facility and financially supporting deserving delegate/s from LMIC to attend ISBER meetings highlights ISBER's commitment to improving biobanking standards globally. Iam glad and privileged to be a part of ISBER. It has been the most important companion during my journey in the biobanking world.
-Rajeev Singh, MBBS, MD, MBA
Director, Houston Methodist Research Institute Biorepository
Houston, TX, USA