MEIA has its roots in the world of cleantech and waste management and we are looking forward to celebrating those fundamentals at this year’s Emerging Issues conference. The conference will showcase new and upcoming technologies and solutions to help Manitobans mitigate the climate crisis and make their businesses more profitable through sustainability.

Highlights of the conference will include:

  • 600 attendees
  • Opening Blessing, Chief Heidi Cook, Misipawistik Cree Nation
  • Morning Keynote, Dr. David Suzuki
  • Afternoon Keynote, Jane McDonald, Senior Vice President, Climate and Nature Solutions
  • Master of Ceremonies, Steve Patterson, CBC’s The Debaters
  • Green Dragon’s Lair Pitch Competition
  • 6 Breakout Sessions
  • 40 Booth Tradeshow
  • Funding Opportunities Corner
  • Student Chapter Mentorship
  • Grand Prize: Trip for two to Churchill sponsored by Miller Environmental with flights by Calm Air
  • Networking reception with entertainment from trio from local band Indian City

Location
RBC Convention Centre
375 York Ave, Winnipeg, MB
Date & Time
November 30, 2022
8:30 AM - 6:30 PM

Registration and Breakfast opens at 7:30 AM
Registration Rates
Sold Out!
Schedule
Agenda subject to change
7:30 AM
Registration and Networking Breakfast
Breakfast sponsored by Manitoba Pork

Location: York 1
8:30 AM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Jack Winram, Executive Director, MEIA

Jason Combe, President, MEIA

Location: York 1
8:40 AM
Indigenous Welcome Ceremony and Blessing
Cheif Heidi Cook, Misipawistik Cree Nation

Sponsored by KPMG LLP

Location: York 1
8:50 AM
Greetings from the Province of Manitoba
The Honourable Jeff Wharton, Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks

Location: York 1
9:00 AM
Keynote Speaker Presentation
Dr. David Suzuki

Sponsored by FuelPositive Corporation

Virtual presentation followed by Q & A

Location: York 1
10:10 AM
Tradeshow and Networking Break
Location: York Concourse
10:30 AM
Green Dragon's Lair Pitch Competition and Sponsor Introductions
Sponsored by Manitoba Technology Accelerator

Two of the four finalists will compete to win $10,000

Location: York 1
11:00 AM
Tradeshow and Networking Break
Location: York Concourse
11:30 AM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Choose one of the following Breakout Sessions:
Breakout Session #1 Carbon Offsets: Clean Growth Carbon Markets Offsets and Revenue Streams
Sponsored by Charbone Hydrogen

All companies are facing climate-related risks and opportunities and are making strategic decisions in response – including around their transition to a low-carbon economy. You will hear about climate risk modeling and software solutions, manufacturing industry and net zero and environmental technology and taxation.

Location: Presentation Theatre, Upstairs
Breakout Session #2 Transportation: Alternative Fuels Alternative Modes Infrastructure and Innovation
Sponsored by Supply Chain Manitoba

Around the world and in Manitoba there are strategic opportunities and actions being taken to produce alternative fuels and green pathways for innovation and infrastructure. In this session, you will hear about low carbon pathway mobility, green hydrogen- an Australia and Manitoba First Nation partnership, Electric commercial vehicles and the North, green roads and opportunities in Manitoba.

Location: Meeting Room 2G, Upstairs
Breakout Session #3 Natural Resources: Adoption of Cleantech in Natural Resources and Energy
Sponsored by SubZero North

Hear about innovation, science and technology and how they are contributing to the long-term goal of emission reduction targets and addressing broader environmental challenges related to water, air and land.

Location: Meeting Room 2H, Upstairs
12:30 PM
Tradeshow and Networking Break
Location: York Concourse
12:40 PM
Lunch
Sponsored by GFL Environmental

Plated Lunch will be served.

Location: York 1
1:30 PM
Plenary Speaker Presentation
Jane McDonald, Senior Vice President, Climate and Nature Solutions

Location: York 1
2:30 PM
Green Dragon's Lair Pitch Competition
Sponsored by Manitoba Technology Accelerator

Two of the four finalists will compete to win $10,000

Location: York 1
2:50 PM
Tradeshow and Networking Break
Sponsored by Winpak

Location: York Concourse
3:20 PM
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Choose one of the following Breakout Sessions:
Breakout Session #4 The Future of Clean Energy: Opportunities and Strategies
Sponsored by MLT Aikins LLP

The future is promising with new growth paths for the renewable energy industry, potentially aided by supportive policies governments focused on combatting climate change.
Explore how new technologies, business models, policies, and investments could help address these challenges and accelerate growth. Learn about new innovations on the prairies with provincial updates, and various clean energy projects and companies.

Location: Presentation Theatre, Upstairs
Breakout Session #5 Waste Management: Green Technology Solid Waste Management and Innovations
Sponsored by Intersteel

Using a “green and clean technology approach” to put waste back into the value chain has great potential to enhance adaptation and resilience to climate change. With a consumer-driven demand to minimize materials and waste sent to landfills (even after recycling), creates opportunities to use resources more efficiently as energy sources.
Learn about the latest innovations driving the sustainable packaging industry. Learn about companies turning waste into energy, technologies in organic waste, scrap metal and more.

Location: Meeting Room 2G, Upstairs
Breakout Session #6 Sustainable Buildings and Communities: Building Efficiencies and Technology 
Sponsored by Assiniboine Credit Union

Smart and Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure technologies. Cities aim to have regenerated buildings, and to leverage data to optimize energy consumption and the use and management of resources in buildings and utilities: waste, water and energy. Here you will learn about existing and new building innovations.

Location: Meeting Room 2H, Upstairs
4:20 PM
Tradeshow and Networking Break
Location: York Concourse
4:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Jack Winram, Executive Director, MEIA

Closing remarks and the announcement of the winners of this year's Green Dragon's Lair competition.

Location: York 1
4:45 PM - 6:30 PM
Networking Cocktail Reception
Musical entertainment by trio from Indian City

Appetizers sponsored by Efficiency Manitoba
Drinks sponsored by TC Energy

Location: Carlton Lobby
Keynote Speakers
Dr. David Suzuki
In 1990, Suzuki co-founded, with Dr. Tara Cullis, the David Suzuki Foundation to “collaborate with Canadians from all walks of life including government and business, to conserve our environment and find solutions that will create a sustainable Canada through science-based research, education, and policy work.”

Suzuki has been recognized by BC Achievement in partnership with the Lieutenant Governor of BC for his extraordinary work as a recipient of the 2021 BC Reconciliation Award. He is also a Companion to the Order of Canada and a recipient of UNESCO’s Kalinga Prize for science, the United Nations Environment Program medal, the 2012 Inamori Ethics Prize, the 2009 Right Livelihood Award, and UNEP’s Global 500. A Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Suzuki also holds 30 honorary degrees from universities around the world.
Jane McDonald
Senior vice president, Climate and nature Solutions
Jane McDonald is Senior Vice-President at the advisory firm Climate and Nature Solutions. A non-profit executive with over 20 years of experience, Jane has led two of Canada's major sustainability think tanks, Smart Prosperity and IISD.

She has also put her deep expertise in climate policy to work in the corporate sector, building new environmental markets at New York investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald, and leading advocacy efforts at Manitoba Hydro to secure the inclusion of Canadian renewable electricity in US clean power programs.

Jane is currently a board member of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Transition Accelerator. She has served on many non-profit boards, taught as an Adjunct Professor of Environmental Finance at the University of Toronto and was a 2007-2008 Fellow of Action Canada. She holds degrees from McGill and York Universities.
Speakers
Chief Heidi Cook
Opening Blessing
Steve Patterson
Master of Ceremonies
Trio from Indian City
Networking Reception Entertainment

Green Dragon's Lair Pitch Competition
The Green Dragon’s Lair Pitch Competition offers select Canadian entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to pitch their product or technology to a panel of judges and attendees at the Emerging Issues Cleantech Conference, and for the chance to win $10,000!
We received applications from across the country - thank you to everyone who applied.

Congratulations to our Top Ten!
Bike Winnipeg / Fietser Bikeshare Cooperative
Boke Consulting
Canadian Solar
Carbon Lock Tech - FINALIST
Minnova Corp.
NextGen Environmental Research Inc.
Overton Environmental Enterprises Inc.
PolySense Solutions Inc. - FINALIST
Tecmerra Methane Solutions Ltd. - FINALIST
Typha Co. - FINALIST


The Final Four companies - Carbon Lock Tech, PolySense Solutions Inc., Tecmerra Methane Solutions Ltd., and Typha Co. - will compete live at the conference. The winner will be presented with their $10,000 award during Closing Remarks and their name forever immortalized on the Braggin' Dragon Trophy!
Emerging Issues Sponsorship Packages
 Support from Industry is the key to hosting a great conference and MEIA is pleased to provide a wide range of custom-designed sponsorship opportunities that provide strong value at a reasonable level of investment.

There are still lots of sponsorship opportunities available. Please click on the "Contact Us" button below to inquire about available sponsorship opportunities.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Tradeshow 
This year's Emerging Issues Conference will feature a 40 Booth Tradeshow area. We have 2 Exhibitor packages available:
Regular Exhibitor Package - $1,000
Includes:
  • 1 Complimentary Registration
  • Additional Registrations Reduced to $150
  • 10 x 10 Draped Tradeshow Booth
  • Inclusion in Tradeshow Passport
  • Inclusion on Exhibitor List on MEIA website and Conference Program

Cleantech Start-up Exhibitor Package - $275
Includes:
  • 1 Complimentary Registration
  • Additional Registrations Reduced to $150
  • 10 x 10 Draped Tradeshow Booth
  • Inclusion in Tradeshow Passport
  • Inclusion on Exhibitor List on MEIA website and Conference Program

*This package is subject to approval by MEIA staff
Mentor for a Day Program
The Emerging Issues Mentor for a Day is a voluntary program connecting professionals with students studying in their field. The program introduces employers to talented new entrants to the workforce and helps students network and navigate what is probably their first professional conference. Signing up to be a mentor/mentee is easy! Just select the box when registering and list your field of work/study. You will be sent the name of who you have been paired with ahead of the conference. Follow the links below for more information on what to expect and potential questions a mentee might ask their mentor.
Funding Opportunities Hub
The MEIA is proud to present the Funding Opportunities Hub sponsored by Sustainable Development Technology Canada to help attendees of the Emerging Issues Cleantech Conference find funding opportunities to help them grow.

Does your organization provide funding opportunities? Share them with us! Click here for more information.
Out of Town Delegates
Plan your trip to Winnipeg with Tourism Winnipeg! Check out local restaurants, shops and more.
MEIA has worked with the Fort Garry Hotel to offer our out-of-town guests reduced rates on rooms. The Fort Garry Hotel is a historic, luxury hotel in downtown Winnipeg.
 Join us on November 30, 2022
We look forward to seeing you!
MEIA programming is supported by funding assistance provided by The Government of Canada and The Manitoba government.

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