When one of the world's biggest gatherings of bioenergy minds happens in Prince George this spring, it will have a new name.
The organizing committee announced a change in the look and branding of the conference, but the conversation will remain largely the same: delving into the latest science and foundational history of a core Omineca-Cariboo industry.
It was, for the past seven incarnations (it is held every two years), known as the International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition. It will switch to the Canadian Bioeconomy Conference and Exhibition when it is held June 6-8.
"The original name and mandate were chosen to focus attention on the emerging bioenergy industry in northern B.C. and on creating a venue for Canadian wood pellet producers to connect and network with their customers and colleagues in other parts of the world," said Jim Martin, chair of conference's board of directors.
He said the new name was a reflection of maturation of the industry and that growth is centred in this nation, specifically this region.
"The bioenergy industry in Canada has grown and matured since we founded the conference in 2004," Martin said. "We felt it was important that, as the leading conference of its kind in Canada, we should reflect the diversification in the use of woody biomass across the full value chain of bioproducts."
The list of things being done with the bioproducts of trees used to centre on wood pellets and electricity co-generation. It now also includes biofuels, biogas, biochemicals, biopharmaceuticals and other bioproducts. The work being done within the molecular structures of timber has pushed science far beyond mere lumber.
The conference's organizers asserted that this region "continues to be the largest producing region in Canada of wood pellets, and one of the largest in the world. It is home to Pinnacle Renewable Energy, Pacific Bioenergy and Premium Pellets, as well as to some of the longest-operating pulp mill cogeneration facilities in North America and a number of district energy systems.
But with projects such as the groundbreaking Canfor-Licella biofuels project... the industry is now moving quickly toward new technologies and new innovations in wood-based products that are fuelling the new bioeconomy."
Mayor Lyn Hall said this was well suited to this global conversation, so the rebranding was welcome news.
"Prince George is one of the most diversified and important forestry communities in Canada and continued innovation and leadership in this sector is critical to our economic development," said Hall. "We're delighted to be hosting the Canadian Bioeconomy Conference and Exhibition next June."
For more information or to register for the revamped Canadian Bioeconomy Conference and Exhibition, visit the website at www.bioeconomyconference.com.
