BIC International Conference

About the BIC International Conference

BIC International Conference:
Bringing Bioproducts to Market: Overcoming Risks to Commercialization
March 26-28, 2012 in Sarnia, Ontario

Join us in the home of Canada's emerging hybrid chemistry cluster to share up-to-date information about best practices in the bio-economy.

Presented by the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, this International Conference will provide a unique and outstanding opportunity to learn about and discuss the risks to commercialization of bio-chemicals and bio-products. Share your experience and ideas with industry, government and institutional experts.

Canada is one of the few countries in the world that can support a large-scale bio-economy due to its abundant and sustainable biomass resources. Existing and emerging companies are aggressively developing early stage technologies that have the potential to successfully move forward to the commercialization stage.

BIC International Conference attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre, a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization of Research with funding from the Government of Canada.

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Agenda

March 26
5:00pm Registration Desk Opens
7:00pm-
9:00pm
Welcoming Reception
March 27
7:00am Registration Desk Opens/Breakfast
8:15am Welcoming Remarks, Kickoff Presentation – Overview of Conference Objectives
9:00am Session 1: Business Development Acumen/ Market Entry and Development.
Chair: Dave Smardon, President and CEO, BioEnterprise
9:05am Dave Sparling, Professor and Chair of Agri-Food Innovation and Regulation, Ivey Business School, London, Ontario Bio
9:25am Jim Grey,CEO, IGPC Ethanol Inc. Bio
9:45am Mike Hartmann, Executive Vice President, BioAmber  
10:05am Jack Huttner, Executive Vice President of Commercial and Public Affairs, Gevo Inc Bio
10:25am Refreshment Break  
10:55am Session 2: Improving Access to Technical Expertise.
Chair: Neil Ross, CEO, Ross Scinergy
11:00am Dr. M Sain, Director, Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto  
11:20am Nicolas Bertrand, Project Manager, CRIBIQ, Consortium de Recherche et Innovations en Bioprocedes Industriels du Quebec Bio
11:40am David Bressler, Biorefining Conversions Network, University of Alberta Bio
12:00pm Lunch  
12:30pm Keynote Speaker: Marc Verbruggen, President and CEO, NatureWorks LLC Bio
1:30pm Session 3: Financing/ Availability of Incentives.
Chair: Murray McLaughlin, Executive Director, BIC
1:35pm Sam Kanes, Principal, Fossil to Bio Advisors Bio
1:55pm Brenda McIntyre, Senior Policy Advisor, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada  
2:15pm John M. May, Managing Director, Stern Brothers & Co. Bio
2:35pm Josko Bobanovic, Partner - Green Chemistry and Bioenergy, Sofinnova Partners Bio
2:55pm Refreshment Break  
3:25pm Session 4: Challenges of Feedstock Supply and Logistics.
Chair: Don McCabe, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
3:30pm Catherine Tredway, President, WhiteCloud Innovations
3:50pm Aung Oo, Commercialization Consultant, The UWO Research Park, Sarnia-Lambton Bio
4:10pm Jon Fleming, Director, Economics & Trade Policy, Forest Products Association of Canada Bio
4:30pm Session Adjourns  
6:00pm -
7:00pm
Reception  
7:00pm -
9:00pm
Dinner  
March 28
7:30am Registration Desk Opens/Breakfast  
8:30am Recap Comments from Day 1  
8:45am Session 5: Regulatory Approvals / Bureaucratic Challenges.
Chair: John Kelly, Vice President, Erie Innovation & Commercialization
8:50am Gord Surgeoner, President, Ontario Agri-Food Technologies Bio
9:10am Lynn Buchanan, Vice President, Industry Relations, Biotech Canada  
9:30am John van Leeuwen, Chairman & CEO, EcoSynthetix Inc.  
9:50am Glyn Chancey, Executive Director, Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council Secretariat Bio
10:10am Refreshment Break  
10:40am Murray McLaughlin, Overview and Updates of BIC Activities  
11:00am Summary Panel Discussion  
12:00pm Lunch  
1:00pm Tour of the BIC and Bio hybrid Chemistry Cluster, Sarnia-Lambton  
4:00pm Tour Ends at BIC with Wine and Cheese Closing Event  

Location

The Bioindustrial Innovation Centre International Conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Located in Sarnia (Point Edward) Ontario.
www.holidayinn.com/sarnia
1498 Venetian BOULEVARD Sarnia (Point Edward), ON, N7T 7W6
Phone: (519) 336-4130
Toll Free: (888) 212-2252

Discounted Prices quote BIC Conference for a conference rate:
Business Class Queens with Pullout:$115
Business Class King: $115
Tower Standard King: $135.00


View Larger Map

For a list of accommodations in the area follow this link

For travel, accommodation and tourism information, we suggest you visit Tourism Sarnia at www.tourismsarnialambton.com

Registration

Click the following link to get to the registration form on a new secure page.
Registration Link

Thank-you very much for registering for the BIC International Conference.

Sponsorship

The conference is hosted by the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre. As a sponsor of the 2012 BIC International Conference, you will have an opportunity to position your organization as a leader and supporter of the bioproduct industry in Canada. For pricing and additional information, please contact Mary Prendiville, Manager of Business Development at (519) 383 8303 ext 238 or mprendiville@researchpark.ca

PLATINUM SPONSOR: (Name Badge Lanyard) $8,000 SOLD: Lanxess

All attendees will be wearing a name badge and lanyard with your company's name and/or logo. What better way to have your company's brand consistently present throughout all areas of the conference.

  • Recognition on Name Badge Holder & Lanyard
  • Company logo printed on name badge lanyards for all attendees

  • Marketing/Branding Opportunities
  • One complimentary (8 X 10) premium exhibit space in the main auditorium
  • Two e-mail blasts to all conference attendees
  • One piece insert in all conference bags
  • Company logo and link to company website on the conference website
  • Sponsor Spotlight: Company logo and 50 word description featured in "Sponsor Spotlight" on the home page of the conference website
  • Company logo (linked to company website) on every e-mail blast promoting the event. Company literature at designated sponsor table in high traffic area
  • Visual recognition on signage; verbal and visual recognition in general session sponsor slide presentation
  • Full page advertisement in onsite program guide
  • Three complimentary full conference registrations

GOLD SPONSOR: Lunch $5,000 (two one available) SOLD: The Biorefining Conversions Network

Take a break from the conference sessions to network with business colleagues and contacts. Enjoy a great meal while signage highlights your company throughout the luncheon. A captive audience and a great way to showcase your company

  • Recognition at lunch
  • Company logo on signage displayed at event
  • Tabletop cards displaying company logo on buffet tables
  • Verbal recognition during lunch
  • Opportunity for sponsor representative to address lunch attendees

  • Marketing/Branding Opportunities:
  • One piece insert in all conference bags
  • Company logo and link to company website on every page of the conference website
  • Company name and logo together with the conference name and logo displayed on a Welcome Banner in the conference registration and information area for the duration of the conference
  • Acknowledgement at opening and closing conference
  • Visual recognition in general session sponsor slide presentation
  • Two complimentary full conference registrations

GOLD SPONSOR: Welcome Reception $5,000SOLD: GreenCentre Canada

An opportunity to meet and mingle with industry representatives, the evening reception is located in the hotel and will be attended by most registrant. This sponsorship offers maximum exposure and includes prime marketing opportunities at the event and through promotional materials

  • Company logo on signage displayed at event
  • Tabletop cards displaying company logo on buffet tables
  • Verbal recognition during reception
  • Opportunity for sponsor representative to address reception attendees

  • Marketing/Branding Opportunities:
  • One piece insert in all conference bags
  • Two e-mail blasts to all conference attendees
  • Company logo and link to company website on every page of the conference website
  • Company name and logo together with the conference name and logo displayed on a Welcome Banner in the conference registration and information area for the duration of the conference
  • Acknowledgement at opening and closing conference
  • Visual recognition in general session sponsor slide presentation
  • Two complimentary full conference registrations

SILVER SPONSOR: Breakfast $3,000 (two one none available)SOLD: OFA SOLD: Grain Farmers of Ontario

  • Recognition at breakfast
  • Company logo on signage displayed at event
  • Tabletop cards displaying company logo on buffet tables

  • Marketing/Branding Opportunities:
  • One piece insert in all conference bags
  • Company logo and link to company website on every page of the conference website
  • Company name and logo together with the conference name and logo displayed on a Welcome Banner in the conference registration and information area for the duration of the conference
  • Acknowledgement at opening and closing conference
  • Visual recognition in general session sponsor slide presentation
  • Two complimentary full conference registrations

BRONZE SPONSOR:
-Refreshment Break $2,000 (three two one available)
SOLD: Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre SOLD: Bluewater Power -Session sponsors $2,000 (five four available) SOLD: BDO Chartered Accountants and Advisors

  • Recognition at Refreshment Break
  • Tabletop cards displaying company logo on buffet tables
  • Company logo on signage displayed at events

  • Marketing/Branding Opportunities:
  • One piece insert in all conference bags
  • Company logo and link to company website on every page of the conference website
  • Company name and logo together with the conference name and logo displayed on a Welcome Banner in the conference registration and information area for the duration of the conference
  • Acknowledgement at opening and closing conference
  • Visual recognition in general session sponsor slide presentation
  • Opportunity to promote separate side event to conference attendees through the conference website
  • One complimentary full conference registration

We would be pleased to discuss other levels of sponsorship and corresponding benefits.

Please download the entire sponsorship package here (includes application form)

Contact

Mary PrendivilleMary Prendiville
Manager, Business Development, The Bowman Centre for Technology Commercialization
ph: 519-383-8303 ext. 238
email: mprendiville@researchpark.ca

Murray McLaughlin Murray McLaughlin
Executive Director, BIC
ph: (519) 383-8303 ext.237
Cell: (519) 550-5525
email: murraym@bicsarnia.ca

Session Chairs

  • Dave Smardon
    President and CEO, BioEnterprise

    Dave Smardon is a seasoned executive with a background in establishing, growing, and financing technology-based companies. He has the insight and outlook to confidently say agri-technology is a "New Wave" of investment opportunity.

    A hugely successful entrepreneur himself, Dave campaigns on behalf of the interests of Canadian entrepreneurs, and strives to help build a venture capital industry in Canada that is both sustainable and active. Dave also acts as an advisor to a number of government funding programs, offers his knowledge as a volunteer for several associations, and sits actively as a Board Member of more than a half-dozen companies.

    Investing in his own ideas proved triumphant, when Dave founded three technology businesses: Learning Connections, Commcorp Technologies Inc., the Nibiru group of companies, including: Nibiru Tactical Corporation, Nibiru Investments, Nibiru Capital Management Limited and Nibiru Corporate Finance Inc. These entities continue to be active today.

    Throughout his career, Dave has been appointed to a variety of mid and senior level positions within industry leading companies, including: Texas Instruments Inc., Unisys Corporation, Meridian Technologies and Apple Computer Inc. It was during this time that Mr. Smardon developed very strong ties into the venture capital, investment banking and angel communities, in both the USA and Canada. These ties remain strong today.

  • Neil Ross

    Neil Ross
    CEO, Ross Scinergy

    Neil is a biochemist who served as a researcher at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) for two decades, in the fields of applied microbiology, enzymology, hemicellulytic enzymes, cancer research, fish disease and nutrition, shellfish biology and toxins. He has 64 peer-reviewed publications and 2 patent applications, with one patent just being granted in Chile for a sea lice vaccine. For the past three years, he was Lead of the NRC-Industrial Research Assistance Program Bioproducts Sector Team, assisting in building communications amongst various bioproducts and bioenergy stakeholders across Canada. In that role, he also assisted several Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in developing technologies, finding and facilitating strategic partnerships and accessing research expertise. His major areas of focus were on algae, bioethanol and biodiesel technologies. Neil has just started his own company, Ross Scinergy, which will provide technical and marketing consulting services and also develop fermentation/cultivation technologies.

  • Murray M

    Murray McLaughlin
    Executive Director, BIC

    Murray McLaughlin (B.Sc. McGill University, M.Sc. and Ph.D. Cornell University) has and continues to be active in Canadian agriculture and bioindustry. He was President and CEO of Foragen for 7 years, the only early seed stage venture fund focused on advanced agricultural technologies in Canada. He stepped down in July 2005 once the fund was fully invested. Dr. McLaughlin has held various positions in private industry, government and non-profit sectors including Adjunct Professor at the University of Saskatchewan, President of Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, Deputy Minister of Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, President of Ag-West Biotech Inc. where he helped build the Saskatoon cluster, and several assignments with ELANCO. He held the position of Director of Business Development for the Canadian Light Source (Synchrotron) in Saskatoon for the last three years.Dr. McLaughlin manages McLaughlin Consultants Inc., a firm focused on providing sound advise to agriculture, food and life sciences. He will join Sustainable Chemistry Alliance as President and CEO on March 1st,2009. Dr. McLaughlin's career has focused on agricultural science including research, development and product management and marketing. He is a member of numerous Boards of Directors and Advisory Committees, including Biotech Canada, BioAtlantech and Bioenterprise. He has been awarded the Canadian Agri-Marketer of the Year award from the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association, the Alumni of the Year from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and the National Merit Award from the Ottawa Life Sciences Council. He received an Honorary Doctorate from Dalhousie University/Nova Scotia Agriculture College, May, 2006.

  • Don McCabe

    Don McCabe
    VP, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

    Don McCabe is a no-till corn, soybean and wheat farmer from Inwood, Ontario. Don is in his second year as President of the Soil Conservation Council of Canada. He has studied doctorate-level soil genesis and classification at the University of Guelph in Ontario, after completing a chemistry degree at the University of Western Ontario. Don is also a vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

    Don has been involved in carbon trading, renewable energy and bioproducts policy work at the domestic and international scale to ensure agriculture is recognized as a solution provider to society. Don believes farmers have to have appropriate policy linked with new business opportunities to operate farms into the future, while providing society with food, fuel, fiber, energy, and environmental goods and services such as improved water quality, carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat.

  • John Kelly

    John Kelly
    VP, Erie Innovation & Commercialization

    Dr. John Kelly is currently the Vice-President of the Erie Innovation and Commercialization with the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers' Association. The mandate of this initiative is to diversify agriculture and food opportunities for the sand plains area of the South Central Ontario Region (SCOR). He has a wealth of experience in the private and public sector and has held various executive positions with start-ups and multinational companies, including KeliRo Company Inc., MaRS Landing, Land O' Lakes, Ralston Purina, Rhone-Poulenc Canada Inc. and Aventis CropSciences Inc., as well as the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Throughout his career, he has been focused on innovation development and implementation, actively advancing products and technologies in agriculture, food, biotechnology, pharma and the bioeconomy sectors.

    John holds a B.Sc. (Agr). and Ph.D. from the University of Guelph and a Master of Science from the University of Alberta.

  • Green Centre Canada
  • Biorefining Conversions Network
  • Ontario Federation of Agriculture
  • Grain Farmers of Ontario
  • agri-technology commercialization centre
  • bdo
  • bluewater power
  • Connect Canada