Food/Ag Discussions planned at 2013 BIO International Convention.
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Press Release Summary:
Taking place in Chicago, IL from April 22–25, 2013 BIO International Convention will host 3 days of interactive panel discussions, educational track sessions, and access to industry experts. Issues up for discussion include media's impact on consumer perception, threats from opposition groups, new technologies, and how to feed growing world population. Food & Ag Pavilion will feature various programs, educational displays, interactive demonstrations, and venue for one-on-one discussions.
Original Press Release:
Robust Food & Ag Discussions Planned at the 2013 BIO International Convention
Thousands to Gather in Chicago, April 22-25
2013 BIO International Convention
WASHINGTON--With three days of interactive panel discussions on issues making headlines, educational track sessions, and unfettered access to industry experts, the 2013 BIO International Convention promises attendees a dynamic, forward-looking program.
“Agricultural Biotechnology: Feeding a Hungry Planet and Saving Lives”
“We are very excited to return to Chicago, centered in America’s heartland, where food commodities are exchanged and philosophies about agricultural production are debated,” said Dr. Cathleen Enright, Executive Vice President for Food & Agriculture at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). “With so many issues being debated within the U.S. food and agriculture arena, let’s talk.”
BIO plans to host open discussions around some of the industry’s most current issues, such as media’s impact on consumer perception, threats from opposition groups, exciting new technologies and how to feed a growing world population.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the BIO International Convention will host thousands of industry executives, stakeholders, policy leaders, investors, scientists and media from around the world in Chicago, April 22-25, 2013.
Key Food & Agriculture Sessions and Events include:
Biotech Crops: Tackling Resistance and Myths …Monday, April 22, 12 – 1:30pm
On Earth Day, listen to multiple perspectives – environmental NGO, farmer, and industry – talk about the issue of weed resistance, dispel the common myths, and explain how stewardship and technology are serving as tools to combat this challenge.
The Food Dialogues: The Straight Story on Biotech in Agriculture: Media and its Impact on Consumers …Monday, April 22, from 1:45 – 4pm CDT
Hosted by the U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA®), The Food Dialogues bring together farmers, industry experts, scientists, pundits, media and consumers with varying perspectives. This panel will have a frank discussion about how much the media impacts consumers’ knowledge of biotechnology and the use of GMOs in food production.
Let’s Talk: Industry Answers Your Questions About Food and Agriculture Biotechnology …Tuesday, April 23, 8 – 9am
For media only, BIO will host a breakfast and panel discussion for registered media giving them unique access to biotech’s industry experts. This panel of ag biotechnology company executives will field questions about current debates in the media and public arena, hot-button policy issues, and what the future may hold.
Collaborating for Solutions: Public-Private Partnerships in Agricultural Development for Food Security …Tuesday, April 23, 9 – 11:30am
Public-Private Partnership are becoming critical to successful food security initiatives in developing countries. Our first segment will discuss three case studies about the challenges of scaling up a partnership and how success can be achieved. Our second segment will discuss the infrastructure needed to facilitate the development of these public-private partnerships.
Corporate Venture Capital in the AgTech Entrepeneurial Ecosystem …Tuesday, April 23, 2:30 – 3:30pm
This panel of senior executives will explore the importance of corporate venture capital in fostering agtech entrepreneurship and bringing new agricultural technologies to market.
Challenges and Opportunities for Small Companies in AgBiotech: Collaborating and Competing with the Majors …Tuesday, April 23, 3:45 – 5pm
Learn how small companies can make their mark and be competitive in the agriculture biotech arena.
Going on the Offense: Proactive Strategies to Reduce Uncertainty…Wednesday, April 24, 9 – 10:15am
This panel will look at the challenges raised by the anti-biotechnology industry, and will identify strategies for effective offense.
Epigenetics: More than a Mere Expression …Wednesday, April 24, 10:30 – 11:30am
Epigenetics is the science of changing the expression of a gene without changing the DNA sequence. Through a better understanding of this cutting edge technology, we are learning how to improve human and animal health, and the production of food and feed.
Improving Preclinical Translation: Looking to GE Livestock Models of Human Disease …Wednesday, April 24, 2:30 – 3:30pm
Genetically engineered animals are fostering improvements to human health. This panel explains how GE animals are providing better models of disease, improving the efficacy of drug development and bolstering the translation discovery pipeline.
Food & Agriculture Pavilion programs
Located at the main entrance of the Exhibition Floor, the Pavilion, will feature a series of attention-grabbing programs such as “Agricultural Biotechnology: Feeding a Hungry Planet and Saving Lives”, a Tedx Talk by Neal Carter, president of Okanagan Specialty Fruit (Wednesday, April 24, 10:30 am – 11:15 am). The Food & Ag Pavilion also features educational displays and interactive demonstrations, provides a venue for one-on-one discussions, and can serve as a backdrop for photo ops and broadcast interviews.
Check the Pavilion schedule for additional program information.
Visit here for the most up-to-date programming and more information on scheduled speakers. Advance media registration is now available for qualified reporters working full time for print, broadcast and web publications with valid press credentials. For media registration, visit here.
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtechNOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling “innovations transforming our world.” Subscribe to BIOtechNOW.
Upcoming BIO Events
BIO IPCC Conference
March 25-27, 2013
San Diego, CA
BIO International Convention
April 22–25, 2013
Chicago, IL
World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
June 16-19, 2013
Montreal, Canada
Contacts
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Karen Batra, 202-449-6382
Colleen Lerro, 202-470-5207
Web: www.bio.org
Blog: www.biotech-now.org
Twitter: @IAmBiotech
