SHOW GUIDE Hello Everyone! I’m pleased to invite you to WPAC’s 2021 Conference and AGM. While we hoped that this year we could all get together in person, it will be another virtual conference. However, that hasn’t stopped us from putting together an impressive series of topics and guest speakers for this year’s conference. The theme this year is “Making a Difference Globally and at Home.” Increasingly, global customers are setting ambitious targets to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while locally, here in Canada, policymakers are increasingly touting a low-carbon economy and starting to realize the true power of wood pellets. From a source of responsible, renewable and clean energy to the gateway to the bioeconomy – it starts with pellets and our industry has an important contribution to make globally and domestically. Together with our media partner, Canadian Biomass magazine, we have put together a condensed program that reflects the opportunities ahead for our sector as well as the key trends and potential headwinds. Key speakers invited include provincial and federal elected officials, senior industry consultants, operating and sustainability professionals from producing companies and power utilities, and leading safety experts. Topics include: • • • • • Global market perspectives Trends in responsible sourcing Innovating our way to a safer, better product Getting to net zero in Canada with pellets The power of pellets in the emerging bioeconomy Once again, the conference will take place in short bursts over three days from September 20-22, 2021. The live conference will take place over three hours on September 20; the AGM – also open to all WPAC members – will be on September 21 for one-and-a-half hours; and there will be a board meeting for one-and-a-half hours on September 23. In addition, we have loads of pre-recorded presentations available for conference registrants. We are not charging a fee to participate. We only ask that participants register online at canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/virtual-events-wpac-conference-agm-day-1. Although costs are lower than normal, we will still incur expenses, so we are most grateful for our sponsors who are making this event possible. I want to thank last year’s sponsors who helped us make the conference a reality. We will be reaching out to our partners and others to invite them to sponsor again this year, so stay tuned for more information on our sponsorship opportunities. As we make our way out of this global pandemic, the virtual conference provides an important vehicle for us to share perspectives and contribute to WPAC’s annual planning. Last year, we had more than 400 attendees from around the world and right here at home. I invite you all to join us and I look forward to seeing you, virtually. All the best, Gordon Murray Executive Director Wood Pellet Association of Canada photo: rabbit75_ist / Getty Images 18 Canadian BIOMASS SUMMER 2021
Canadian Biomass Summer 2021: Page 18
