Food & Ag Discussions Planned at 2013 BIO International Convention

2013 BIO International Convention in Chicago, April 22-25

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.

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“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 20^th 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.

Source: Business Wire