Next week, the sixth International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition opens at the Prince George Civic Centre, bringing together hundreds of the most knowledgeable and connected minds on the emerging bioenergy sector.
Bioenergy is using plants, trees and other organic materials as a source of fuel. The most common commodity is wood pellets.
It was announced Tuesday that B.C.'s Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson will officially open the event with Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond serving as the closing speaker.
"The province of B.C. has shown commitment to this conference, and we believe bookending the conference with two such key members of the government shows their commitment going forward to ensuring this industry remains a growth sector of the provincial economy," said Michael Weedon, executive director of conference co-host BC Bioenergy Network.
Other keynote presenters include :
- Chris Turner, author of a number of books and a sought after speaker on sustainable energy,
- Globe and Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson, also an author and commentator on the subject.
"In my 25 years in the industry, I have met and worked with a number of the industry speakers we have attending this year, and this is one of the strongest programs we have put together in the 10-year history of the conference," said bioenergy sector pioneer and conference co-chair John Swaan.
Speakers and delegates from the U.S., Sweden, the U.K., New Zealand, as well as B.C., Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and the Northwest Territories, will be in attendance, including:
Dr. William Strauss, winner of the International Excellence in Bioenergy award in 2012;
Bruce Duguid of the UK Green Investment Bank;
Matt Bovelander, consultant with Indufor Asia Pacific and an expert on Asian markets;
Seth Walker, industry economist with RISI;
Bengt-Erik Lofgren, Swedish industry leader and CEO of AFAB;
Joseph Seymour, head of the U.S.-based Biomass Thermal Energy Council;
Dave Peterson, British Columbia's Chief Forester;
Gordon Murray, of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada;
Ken Shields, CEO of Conifex and Chairman of the Canadian Bioenergy Association;
Kerry Lige, CEO of Fibreco;
Joseph Majka, CEO of Aeon Energy Solutions
Deborah Elson, from the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association;
Brent Boyko, with Ontario Power Generation;
Josh Lieberman, head of the American Biogas Council;
Karl Marietta, vice-president with FVB Energy, Canada's leading district energy company.
The event - Canada's largest and longest-running conference devoted to the global wood-based bioenergy sector - takes next Wednesday through Friday. It features about 60 exhibitors, more than 300 delegates and more than 40 speakers.
"The event provides opportunities for bioenergy experts, existing businesses and new entrants to come together to examine pathways to bio-prosperity," said event organizer Cam McAlpine. "It connects bioenergy and bioproducts producers with fibre owners, suppliers and purchasers, as well as key players in the utility, transportation and logistics sectors."
The conference is held every second year in Prince George. McAlpine said "By bringing together some of the world's leading bioenergy companies and organizations in an intensive, relationship-focused business environment...participants will have the chance to get more done, more efficiently, and for less cost."
Registration to attend and take part is still open. For details, visit the event website at www.bioenergyconference.org.
