Edmonton Business Events - Agribusiness

We wish to acknowledge that we are located within Treaty 6 territory and Metis Nation of Alberta Region 4. We acknowledge this land as the traditional home for many Indienous Peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Dene, Saulteaux, Anishinaabe, Inuit and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community.

THE EDMONTON CONNECTION Our philosophy is about more than the dates, space, and rates for your conference. It’s a promise we’re making to help bring innovative ideas to your conference and connect you with our local business community, foundations, and academic institutions. By bringing resources and creative solutions, and introducing you to a citywide network of doers and makers eagers to roll up their sleeves and get things done, we will help take your vision and turn it into something unforgettable.

The Edmonton Metropolitan Region’s food and agriculture sector has deep roots and is home to both developed and emerging industries. The region hosts the entire sector value chain including high-quality primary production, a cluster of processing plants, globally connected logistics, and a supplementary manufacturing sector. With 7 post-secondary institutions in Edmonton, businesses have unprecedented access to skilled talent. Research agrees: 89% of employers in Alberta are highly satisfied with the skills and work quality of post-secondary graduates. Beyond our city limits, the province of Alberta is also expanding its agricultural sector through innovation, technology, and the development of new bio-based products. Having long been an agricultural powerhouse, Alberta established crop farming in the early 1900s with the development of earlier-maturing wheat varieties. Building off its rich history, the agricultural industry is developing new technologies to increase production, improve efficiency, and create high-quality, value-added products. Alberta is home to global agribusinesses leading the transformation of sustainable food and environmental stewardship. As a leading producer of canola, wheat, dry peas, barley, and cattle, Alberta is growing its food processing capabilities. The province’s arable lands, abundance of sunshine, and extensive irrigation network make it an ideal place to produce primary agricultural products. Global connectivity and business friendly policies open tremendous opportunities for agriculture processing facilities to establish Alberta as their North America hub.

AGRIBUSINESS INNOVATION SYSTEM

The Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies (AAAS) is a not for profit, non-governmental, provincial association formed in 1947 that advocates and provides resources for the 293 Agricultural Societies in Alberta. DuPont Pioneer is a facility with an automated greenhouse and 2 research labs with a primary focus on the development of new crop hybrids. Innotech Alberta conducts crop research, working with alternative crops and developing resilient strains. The Protein Supercluster is a $4.5 billion federally funded supercluster created to promote and grow the plant based protein industry. The University of Alberta Faculty of Agriculture, Life, and Environmental Sciences is a graduate department dedicated to the advancement of food and nutritional science. The department is the first of its kind in North America, reflecting the integration of many disciplines. Agri-Value Processing Business Incubator (APBI) is a multi-tenant facility located in Leduc (within the Edmonton Metropolitan Region) that provides the infrastructure and services to support agricultural -based businesses.

EDMONTON AGRIBUSINESS

• Major sub-sector growth in value-added products

• Export trade opportunities in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim

• 700+ Food Processing Business Licenses in Edmonton

• Food and beverage is Alberta’s second largest industry (20.8%)

• $15.82 Billion value of shipments

• Over $4.2 million invested in FPDC to ensure agri-food companies can access critical resources needed to develop new products and capitalize on new market opportunities for plant-based foods • Pulse input for plant-based protein is the fastest growing agri-sector. The estimated global demand by 2030 is $100 Billion. • New ag-celerator food manufacturing facility has an ambitious role to serve the $36 million air cargo food expansion plan at Edmonton International Airport.

The Centre for Culinary Innovation at NAIT creates applied research solutions to directly respond to challenges in Alberta’s $50 billion food industry. By supporting the development of new or improved food products, equipment, and processes, the Centre creates tangible value to its industry partners.

LOCAL SUPPORT When a citywide network of doers and makers roll up their sleeves and get things done, big things happen. It’s a can-do philosophy. An all-in attitude. It’s what makes Edmonton, Edmonton. We’ve spoken to other Edmontonians, and they’re as excited as we are to be your next host and to share that undeniable Edmonton Spirit.

CENTRE FOR CULINARY INNOVATION AT NAIT Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Campus, Edmonton Partnering with industry, the Centre for Culinary Innovation at NAIT is playing a leading role in the advancement of Alberta’s food industry. By supporting the development of new or improved food products, equipment, and processes, the Centre alleviates pressures on companies by developing applied research solutions for industry challenges. To do so, NAIT pulls together expertise from its School of Skilled Trades, School of Applied Sciences and Technology, School of Health and Life Sciences, and the JR Shaw School of Business. LEARN MORE > FOOD PROCESSING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE Leduc, Alberta (20 minutes south of Edmonton) Through a combination of expertise, specialized facilities, product development, applied research, and interim processing, the Food Processing Development Centre (FPDC) fosters growth and commercialization of food, beverage, and ingredient manufacturing companies. Working with industry stakeholders and companies of all sizes, the FPDC helps build Alberta value-added processing capacity and supports industry as it pursues new and existing opportunities. LEARN MORE >

AGRI-FOOD DISCOVERY PLACE (AFDP) University of Alberta’s South Campus, Edmonton Located on a section of land identified as the University of Alberta Research Farm, the AFDP opened in June 2006. This pilot plant facility is part of the University’s Agricultural Food & Nutritional Science Department (AFNS) and links research in food safety, AgTech, and functional foods with industry collaborators. Work here plays a part in making livestock, farming, and agriculture Massive innovation and transformation are afoot in the Agribusiness sector, and Edmonton is at the cutting edge. Announcements should be made soon on Vertical Farming, Meatless Farming, Plant Protein Fractionation, and a new bean sprout facility. The following are potential technical tours our Event Development team could coordinate. The tours would provide delegates with first hand experience of Edmonton innovations in the Agribusiness sector:

more sustainable. LEARN MORE >

INNOTECH ALBERTA AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH FARM & CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT CENTRE Vegreville, Alberta (1 hour east of Edmonton) A subsidiary of Alberta Innovates and established by the Government of Alberta, InnoTech Alberta is at the heart of our province’s innovation engine and works in a variety of sectors to transition technologies to innovation. InnoTech’s Agricultural Research Farm & Controlled Environment Centre facility features large and small outdoor plots, indoor greenhouses and growth facilities, and fully equipped molecular biology, plant pathology, and biochemistry laboratories (certified by CFIA and Health Canada). LEARN MORE > PROVIDENCE GRAIN SOLUTIONS Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta (30 minutes NE of Edmonton) Providence Grain Group Ltd. is a producer-owned agricultural commodity business, one of few in Canada. It was established in 2002 and trades globally, offering flexible quantities and smaller shipments in addition to grain drying, storage, off farm pickups, specialized marketing services, hedging, futures, and options. Their operations are concentrated in Canada, but they are present in geographically diverse markets—each elevator location is a full service, primary elevator, licensed and bonded by the Canadian Grain Commission. LEARN MORE >

BUNGE CANADA Canola Processing Plant - Fort Saskatchewan, AB (30 minutes NE of Edmonton)

In North America, Bunge is in the business of trading raw agricultural commodities for domestic use and for global export—and has been doing so since the early 1900s. In Canada, Bunge is a leader in canola processing and one of their plants sits just north and east of Edmonton in Fort Saskatchewan. LEARN MORE > NUTRIEN Fort Saskatchewan, AB (30 minutes NE of Edmonton) Nutrien is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs, services, and solutions with more than 23,000 employees and operations and investments in 13 countries. In Alberta, Nutrien has 6 nitrogen facilities (one in Fort Saskatchewan, 30 minutes NE of Edmonton) and is the third-largest nitrogen producer in the world. Nutrien Ag Solutions, the company’s retail arm, partners with farmers to help them achieve maximum success through technology, products, services, and connections to global suppliers. Nutrien Ag Solutions has a location in Fort Saskatchewan as well, co located with the Bunge canola processing plant. Innovation is no stranger to this company, with several research and development locations, including a Plant Science Research Centre in Edmonton. LEARN MORE >

If you’re looking for a memorable, original meeting or conference experience, you’ll get it here. Because in Edmonton you’ll find more than a meeting space, you’ll discover the ally you need to make your next gathering succeed.

NICOLA ALEXANDER Business Development Acount Manager Explore Edmonton, Business Events

C +44 7758 27056 E nalexander@exploreedmonton.com

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