Conference Explores Role of Water-Efficient Technology in Securing Food Supply

May 1, 2013
Second BlueTechValley conference kicks off May 1, 2 in Fresno, Calif.

The BlueTechValley Water Conference, which takes take place May 1 and 2 at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Auditorium, will convene industry and academic leaders from across the nation to address one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century: producing enough food for the world’s burgeoning population. The theme of the conference, "How Water Efficient Technologies will Secure Future World Food Supply," is an appropriate topic for the Central San Joaquin Valley, Calif., one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world.

"Our region is home to some of the best and most advanced food processors in the world," says Henrik Skov Laursen, Chairman of the BlueTechValley Committee. "With annual food processing revenues of approximately $30 billion, the world looks at the opportunities that we explore here, in the ag capital of the world, which can be generated in making better yields for the growers and more efficient use of energy and water inside the plant. The BlueTechValley Water Conference is bringing industry and academic leaders from across the world to explore these technologies and connect innovators."

The Conference will kick off with a luncheon and keynote address by Doug Rauch, former CEO of Trader Joe’s, and will feature plenary sessions anchored by case studies, panel discussions and sessions that examine research and innovation both in the field and in the plant. Day two will feature more dynamic panels and a luncheon keynote by Dr. Rengarajan Remesh, managing director of Wasserstein and Company.

Panel and discussion topics will include:

  • The Importance of Water Efficiencies in a Highly Competitive Market
  • Research and Innovation in the Plant
  • Research and Innovation in the Field
  • How Commercialization of Technology will influence water efficiency
  • Sustainability – a metric in consumer behavior

An exhibit hall, featuring about 20 local and regional businesses and other exhibitors who will be displaying a variety of products and information and include: LAKOS, Southern CA Metropolitan Water District; Woolf Farming, BlueTechValley and others. The exhibit hall will be open to conference participants during both days of the conference.

A complete agenda and speaker bios can be seen at http://www.btvwaterconference.com.

Source: Central Business Valley Incubator