The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) is pleased to host the 2020 Industrial Hemp Summit February 24-25. Huber USA Inc., the technology leader for high precision thermoregulation, will serve as presenting sponsor of this sell-out event. Registration is now open at www.industrialhempsummit.info.
“In our mission to drive economic transformation, we continue to pursue ways to lead the reemerging industrial hemp industry, a potentially robust agribusiness opportunity for our Commonwealth and nation,” said Mark Gignac, Executive Director of IALR. “A vital strategy includes the Industrial Hemp Summit, which encourages collaboration, discussion and networking among top experts. We are delighted to share this experience with our presenting sponsor, Huber USA Inc., and recognize the critical role they play in precise temperature control.”
Presenting sponsor Huber USA manufactures products to ensure precise temperature control in laboratories, pilot plants and production processes throughout the world – from -125 °C to +425 °C. In addition to dynamic temperature control systems, Huber develops and produces chillers as well as classic heating and cooling circulators.
Said Georg Kiefer, Huber CEO, “We are proud to support the hemp movement in the South and beyond. Since 2014, beautiful Raleigh, North Carolina, has been home to our U.S. headquarters.”
The Industrial Hemp Summit is a multi-stakeholder collaboration focused on building the industrial hemp industry in the United States. A specific focus of the summit will be creating the supply chain and market-making for industrial hemp food, fiber and flower. The Summit will highlight current innovation in the industry, as well as explore what resources and infrastructure are needed to move the industry forward. Industrial hemp is used to make a variety of commercial and industrial products, including health and natural food products, supplements, skin products, clothing, bioplastics, insulation, biofuel and more. Thanks to December’s federal legislation, U.S. growers, processors and others may now consider entering this versatile market as an opportunity for diversification.
The 2019 summit sold out at more than 350 attendees with more than 200 on the waiting list. Stakeholders from 18 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and the U.S attended, including investors, economic developers, tobacco companies, entrepreneurs, medical companies and others interested in advancing the U.S. industrial hemp market. Maximum attendance will be increased for the 2020 summit. Interested attendees are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to ensure a seat.
The 2020 agenda is in development and will feature speakers and topics of the same caliber as the 2019 event. Panelists for the 2019 summit included a multitude of bioscience experts, including:
Dr. Michael Timko, Professor and Lewis & Clark Chair of Biology at the University of Virginia.
Dr. Volker Bornemann, CEO of Avazyme (a Durham, N.C.-based laboratory offering field and laboratory testing, product development and consulting services to agricultural and food industries).
Erin Williams, program manager of the Virginia Industrial Hemp Research Program for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Dr. Chad Ulven, Professor at North Dakota State University and CEO of c2renew (a bio-composite material designer and custom compounder).
Kristin Adams, Founder and CEO of Afterglow Cosmetics.
Dhruv Agarwal, Director of Materials Innovation at VF Global Innovation Center (the parent corporation for such brands as The North Face and Vans).
Discussion topics ranged from cultivation, extraction and testing to genetics, hybridization and tissue culture cloning. Other panels addressed the state of the industry, market making technical fibers, consumer goods and textiles. This year’s speakers are expected to once again invite discussions on how to build and scale a hemp business as well as the future of the hemp industry.
To register, visit www.industrialhempsummit.info. Tickets are $225 through Oct. 31, the early bird discount deadline. Beginning Nov. 1, tickets are $250. Monday night reception admission is $50. For questions or more information, please contact (434) 766-6605 or info@industrialhempsummit.info.
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with advanced learning, advanced manufacturing, applied research, economic development and conference center services. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville. For more information, visit www.ialr.org.
Huber USA Inc. is the technology leader for high precision thermoregulation solutions in research and industry. Their products ensure precise temperature control in laboratories, pilot plants and production processes throughout the world – from -125 °C to +425 °C. In addition to dynamic temperature control systems, Huber develops and produces chillers as well as classic heating and cooling circulators. Typical applications can be found in the automotive industry, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, aerospace engineering and medical industry. For more information, visit www.huber-usa.com.
