ANN ARBOR – Biosciences trade association MichBio has scheduled its first statewide gathering of industry, academia, NGOs and government to discuss technology developments, business needs and opportunities to integrate regional bio-based enterprises into a robust growth sector.
The Michigan Bio-Based Economy Forum is scheduled for October 27 at Walnut Hills Golf Club in East Lansing.
The half-day forum invites stakeholders from across the entire value chain to exchange knowledge and experience with the bio-based products industry.
“Michigan enjoys sizeable agricultural and other natural resources, along with great research expertise, that can support a significant bio-based economy. It can become a major player if competencies, resources, and assets can be integrated cohesively around a single vision for growth.” remarked Stephen Rapundalo, MichBio’s President and CEO. “The Michigan Bio-based Economy Forum is where business, science and policy is meant to come together and begin to develop form and function for the sector, and push forward its success statewide.”
The Michigan Bio-based Economy Forum will feature keynote speaker, Hon. Mark Schweiker, Former Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Chief Relationship Officer & SVP of Renmatix, who will lead a dynamic discussion, ‘Driving a Bio-based Economy: Policies and partners needed’.
The bio-based economy can be a driver of innovation and a key contributor to Michigan’s economic, environmental and social well-being through the application of biological tools and processes to the production of food, energy, chemicals and materials. A key takeaway will be developing ideas on what it will take for Michigan to succeed in building a statewide bio-based sector, particularly as other regions are aggressively developing their own.
“The Forum will feature industry and academic technology experts and business leaders who will discuss how Michigan can build a bio-economy that can provide viable bio-based alternatives for materials, energy and products. The opportunity to network with representatives from the supply, development and demand sides of the sector will be extremely worthwhile.” Rapundalo added. “Moreover, attendees will hear from Gov. Mark Schweiker, a longtime bio-based leader with a sound understanding of the economic potential the sector holds for Michigan.”
Speakers include:
Jennifer Aurendt, PhD, R&D Program Manager, Valicor
Richard Chylla, Executive Director, MSU Technologies, Michigan State University
Megann Head, Environmental Engineer Designer, Steelcase
Vijay Mannari, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Engineering Technology, Eastern Michigan University
Pat Morand, President, Open Prairie Ventures
Jeff Pavlik, SVP/Managing Director – Capital Markets, GreenStone Farm Credit Services
Mark Rudnicki, PhD, Executive Director, Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute Professor of Practice, Forest Biomaterials, School of Forest Resources & Environmental Sciences, Michigan Technological University
Lee Walko, Director, Business Development, OmniTech International
More details about the Michigan Bio-based Economy Forum including agenda, registration and sponsorship opportunities can be found here: www.michbio.org
