Minneapolis – Business, political, academic, and community leaders will convene in Pohlad Hall at the Minneapolis Central Library on Thursday, February 19th, 2015 to explore how the rapidly growing Bioeconomy and green chemistry sectors in the Midwest are providing clean, safe and economical solutions to many of the problems that face us here and around the world.
Cohosted by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) and Aveda, the Midwest Bioeconomy and Safer Products Summit features national leaders and businesses from the region setting trends in green chemistry, innovative product design and manufacturing, renewable energy production, waste reduction strategies, and supportive policies and networks. Speakers include:
- Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator, Minnesota
- Keith Ellison, U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district (including Minneapolis)
- Kate Heiny, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Target.
- Jasper Schneider, USDA Acting Administrator, Rural Utilities Service
- Paul Hansen, Canadian Consulate Trade Commissioner, Science and Technology
- John Linc Stine, Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
- Deb Darling, Director of Packaging Materials & Innovations Initiatives, Aveda
- Tim Cassidy, Director of Product Safety & Compliance, Best Buy
- Chris Parsons, President, MN Professional Firefighters
- Dan Marshall, Owner, PeaPods
- Jim Wollschlager, CEO, Organix Solutions | COO, Randy’s Sanitation
- Barry Cik, CEO, Naturepedic
- David Levine, Co-founder and CEO, American Sustainable Business Council
- Charlotte Brody, Vice President of Health Initiatives, BlueGreen Alliance
The Midwest Bioeconomy and Safer Products Summit provides a rare opportunity to learn about and discuss the future of innovation with the leading businesses, scientists, and community and elected leaders in the region. Ranging from a broad overview of what the Midwest would look like from a green chemistry perspective, to an insider’s view of the transition away from toxic chemicals to more sustainable products from one of the nation’s largest retailers, participants will get a close up, hands on look at green chemistry and the emerging bioeconomy.
Where: Pohlad Hall (2nd floor), Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis MN 55401
When: Thursday, February 19th, 2015 8:00 am–4:30 pm followed by an informal reception at the Local from 5:00–6:30 pm
Learn more and register at http://www.greenchemistrymn.org/conference
