SPARK 2017 brings industries together to focus on clean technologies and products

More than 400 attendees expected from multiple sectors 

EDMONTON, Nov. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Media are invited to SPARK 2017, a clean technology conference co-hosted by Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and Alberta Innovates (AI).

With this conference AI and ERA are taking a "complete solutions" approach to exploring ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate growth of Alberta's bioeconomy. The program is designed to bring multiple industries together. It is also intended to motivate and support researchers and innovators developing carbon reduction and/or bioindustrial technologies that can meet market needs. The conference will link them with the business community, the innovation system, academia and government. As well, these idea generators will connect through the Innovation Showcase and conference breakout sessions.

Registrants have signed up from several sectors, including oil and gas, power generation, agriculture, forestry, transportation and bioindustrial. They include entrepreneurs; researchers and academics; investors; corporate executives; technical experts from private and public sectors; and officials from government, regulatory and funding agencies, business incubators and industry associations.

Date: Nov. 6 to 8, 2017
Location: Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, Alberta
Parking: https://www.shawconferencecentre.com/our-location/parking/  
Media Room: Office D2, off Hall D Foyer

SPARK 2017 will feature about 85 speakers during more than two dozen panel sessions. Some highlights:

• Keynote address by Alberta Premier Rachel Notley ? Tuesday, Nov. 7, 11:30 a.m.
• Address by Deron Bilous, Alberta Economic Development and Trade Minister ? Tuesday, Nov. 7, 8:40 a.m.
• Address by Shannon Phillips, Alberta Minister of Environment and Parks and Minister Responsible for the Climate Change Office ? Wednesday, Nov. 8, 8:30 a.m.
• Release of national survey results providing a look at the state of clean technology and launch of the 2018 Cleantech Directions Report, with a special focus on Alberta ? Wednesday, Nov. 8, 12:45 p.m.
• Keynote address by Thomas Homer-Dixon, author of The Ingenuity Gap and Chair, Global Systems, Balsillie School of International Affairs, University of Waterloo ? Tuesday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.
• Sessions on topics such as "What the marketplace wants," "Finding the sweet spot for your technology" and "How to finance your clean tech business."

Please see the full program for session details.

SOURCE Alberta Innovates