What is National Biotech Week?  

What is National Biotech Week? Each year, Canada celebrates the innovation and creativity of Canadian life science researchers and entrepreneurs during National Biotechnology Week, a concept initiated by BIOTECanada with the collaboration of all the provinces in Canada. Events held during the week include lectures, workshops, education outreach, facility tours, advocacy and networking. Municipal and provincial governments issue official proclamations to support Biotech Week. The objectives of the week include:  increasing business leaders’ awareness of Canada’s capacity in biotechnology;  highlighting the benefits of biotechnology to the general public;  promoting opportunities in the sciences to high school students;  fostering relationships with local, provincial and federal politicians. BIOTECanada coordinates all the activities in an event calendar available on the Biotech Week website: www.imagenenation.ca Biotechnology in Saskatchewan Based on our history of achievements, Canadian biotech companies and organizations are admired throughout the world. Advances in the agriculture, health and energy sectors have earned respect abroad and bolstered economic growth nationally. Life science discoveries foster new business opportunities in the areas of biofuels and bioproducts, functional foods, natural health products and pharma. Saskatchewan hosts over 30 percent of Canada’s agricultural biotechnology activity, with many other areas developing, such as genomics, plant‐made pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Two university campuses and three research parks, along with numerous research institutions and technical training centres, create a science cluster ‐ a great benefit to businesses, from start‐up firms to international success stories. Outstanding science R&D infrastructure, a talented workforce, quality raw materials and a solid business environment make Saskatchewan the perfect place for bio‐business. About Ag‐West Bio: Ag‐West Bio is the lead for Biotech Week activities in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan’s bioeconomy catalyst, Ag‐West helps to grow biobusiness through support and mentoring, funding, strategic alliances, building networking opportunities and communications. www.agwest.sk.ca 2013 Steering Committee for National Biotechnology Week: Ag‐West Bio (Chair), Genome Prairie, SIAST, U of S College of Agriculture & Bioresources, Ag in the Classroom, Canadian Light Source, SREDA, Innovation Place, POS Bio‐Sciences, Sask Food Centre Saskatchewan Biotech Week Activities – September 20 to 27, 2013
Saskatchewan’s National Biotech Week organizing committee creates a week full of activities, including
outreach, networking opportunities and outreach events. The following are currently being planned:
DNA Weekend at Saskatchewan Science Centre, Regina – Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 21-22
The Saskatchewan Science Centre is hosting a DNA Weekend, with family-friendly workshops starting at 2:00 pm Saturday and
Sunday. Learn how to extract DNA from a banana, make DNA key chains, and more. For more details go to the Saskatchewan Science
Centre website at www.sasksciencecentre.com Toll free: 1-800-667-6300
Chamber of Commerce: Why Health Innovation Matters – Monday Sept. 23
The Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce is hosting a panel discussion on health care innovation and business opportunities. Join us for
a beer and an appetizer and hear our panel of three businessmen in the community with extensive background in economic
opportunities in health 3:30 – 6:30 pm, The Bassment, Saskatoon Watch www.saskatoonchamber.com/events for more details.
Food Myth Busters TweetUp – Monday, Sept. 23
“Are there antibiotics in my beef? How many pesticides are on my apples?” This Social Media event will call upon Saskatchewan
experts in the food industry to answer questions regarding food safety and regulations via Twitter. The event will be widely
promoted in advance to draw as many people into the conversation as possible. Your computer/mobile device, 1:00 – 3:00pm
Mark Lynas Public Lecture – Tuesday, Sept. 24
At the Oxford Farming Conference in London in January, Mark Lynas caused a stir with a presentation that was essentially an
apology to the bioscience community for damage he may have caused as an environmental activist. An engaging speaker, Mark has
been invited to universities and conferences around the world to deliver his message about why he changed his mind about genetic
modification and to talk about his new, science-based stance on the importance of biotechnology. We are thrilled that he has agreed
to come to Saskatoon to share his story with us. *Note: sponsorship restrictions apply. 7:00 pm Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon
The Amazing Biotech Race – Thursday, Sept. 26
This fun event will help biotechnology students from high schools, SIAST, the U of S to join forces and connect with industry – with
some healthy competition. Students searching for clues participate in quick lab “challenges” that earn them the next clue, while
meeting people and becoming familiar with Saskatoon bioscience companies along the way. The event ends at Boffins for
networking. Contact Blaine Chartrand for information: [email protected] 1:00-4:00 pm, Innovation Place, Saskatoon
Biotech & Beer – Thursday, Sept. 26
th
Raise a toast to the science of biotechnology! The 4 Annual Biotech & Beer at Boffins will gather educators, students, researchers
and business people from our biotech community to discover the opportunities in our life science cluster. Speakers will offer
information about the role of biotechnology in our lives, along with insight into business opportunities presented by biotechnology.
Music: One More Troubadour 4:00-7:00 pm Boffins Club, Innovation Place, Saskatoon [email protected])
Geee! In Genome Workshops
Ag in the Classroom and Genome Prairie are collaborating to bring biotech to the classroom! If you are interested in hosting a
workshop, please contact Chantel Short at Ag in the Classroom: [email protected]
Get involved!
Cheer on the Amazing Biotech Race students, attend a workshop or lecture, join us for Biotech & Beer, or show your support for
biotechnology by sponsoring an event! To learn more about Saskatchewan activities during National Biotech Week, please contact
Jackie Robin, Communications Director at Ag-West Bio. Tel: 306-668-2656 or [email protected]. The event website is
currently under construction but will be linked to www.agwest.sk.ca soon!
2013 National Biotechnology Week Saskatchewan Sponsorship Opportunities
PLATINUM - $2500 - up
Acknowledgement at all events (or your choice of events)
 Company logo on all promotional material including promotional posters, e-promos, sponsor poster, website
 Logo and name listed on BIOTECanada National Biotechnology website: www.imagenenation.ca
 Opportunity to display pull-up banner at all events*
 Speaking opportunity at one event (3-5 minutes)
GOLD - $1000 - $2499
Acknowledgement at three events of your choice
 Company logo on all promotional material including promotional posters, e-promos, sponsor poster, website
 Logo and name listed on BIOTECanada National Biotechnology website: www.imagenenation.ca
 Opportunity to display pull-up banner at 3 events* (your choice)
SILVER - $500 - $999
Acknowledgement at two events of your choice
 Company logo on all promotional material including promotional posters, e-promos, sponsor poster, website
 Logo and name listed on BIOTECanada National Biotechnology website: www.imagenenation.ca
 Opportunity to display pull-up banner at 2 events* (your choice)
BRONZE - $250 - $499
Acknowledgement at one event of your choice
 Company logo on all promotional material including promotional posters, e-promos, sponsor poster, website
 Logo and name listed on BIOTECanada National Biotechnology website: www.imagenenation.ca
 Opportunity to display pull-up banner at 1 event* (your choice)
Friend of Biotech Week
Opportunity to donate specific item for any event:
(Examples: refreshments, door prizes for Biotech & Beer or prizes for the Amazing Race)
 Company logo on all promotional material including promotional posters, e-promos, sponsor poster, website
NOTE: due to space limitations, sponsor logos will be displayed on a screen at Biotech & Beer