Bioeconomy Investment Forum: Growing Regina’s sustainable future

1. Purpose 

Held on May 14, 2024, the Bioeconomy Investment Forum, hosted by Economic Development Regina (EDR), was an invite-only event that drew industry leaders and decision-makers from across Regina’s bioeconomy, including producers, government, value-added businesses, investors, and more. EDR is developing a world-class biomass cluster in the GRA, and the event was created to promote broad-based awareness of and support for the opportunity.

The Forum provided research and market analysis, profiled active companies in the sector, and created the space for active discussions. It also set the stage for key future announcements that will further advance the sector. Attendees received firsthand knowledge, research results, and briefings on opportunities to grow the bioeconomy in the GRA.

The event also included a sold-out optional Day 2 “site tour,” where attendees were taken to multiple existing businesses/projects already engaged in Regina’s bioeconomy.

2. Effectiveness

Objective 1: Foster wide-ranging collaboration and innovation

Results:

• Created a space for more than 100 industry leaders, innovators, investors and government officials to discuss the GRA’s bioeconomy opportunity in detail
• EDR signed 3 MOUs, with critical organizations to advance the bioeconomy.

Objective 2: Create awareness and visibility

Results:

• 7 LinkedIn posts generated 21,238 organic impressions and 3,288 engagements,
• 7 earned media hits with a total reach of 11.9M.

Objective 3: Generate stakeholder interest

Results:

• 100% of post event survey respondents indicated they valued the event and would attend future events.

3. Challenges 

EDR’s primary goal was to educate and attract an audience that would benefit most from the information while identifying the best speakers to effectively communicate the opportunity. Key challenges included:

• Establishing that biomass can be an economically and environmentally sustainable part of an increasingly diverse energy mix.
• Highlighting the potential of the bioeconomy to create jobs and foster economic growth.

Messaging focused on the opportunity for climate-positive initiatives to generate new jobs, emphasizing the long-term sustainability and security that the bioeconomy can bring to the GRA.

4. Target Audience

• Industry stakeholders interested in opportunities in agriculture and renewable energy, exploring partnerships and investments.
• Investors who view the GRA bioeconomy as a promising area for sustainable investment in bio-based and renewable products.
• Government officials who promote policies and incentives for bioeconomy growth, innovation, job creation, and economic diversification.
• Post-secondary institutions who act as innovation hubs, collaborating on bioeconomy projects, sustainable practices, and training students for key roles.

5. Specifics 

With a recent surge in alternative fuel demand, technological advances, and funding, Regina has a compelling story to share in the emerging renewable energy sector. Home to multiple clusters of innovation and a broad range of resources, Regina is a natural location to pursue investment opportunities in renewable energy.

6. Details

The GRA has a long history of innovation and sustainability in dryland farming, producing high-quality, abundant crops while preserving and protecting soil and water.

The GRA’s agriculture industry offers unparalleled access to feedstocks including biomass for processing and renewable energy production. Traditionally regarded as waste material, more than 15M tonnes of agricultural biomass is produced within a 200km radius of Regina. By adding value to this material, Regina’s biomass cluster has the potential to generate $1.8B in economic activity and 4,150 jobs.

Regina is emerging as a centre for alternative, clean and renewable fuels from agricultural waste and residue and is capitalizing on sustainable innovation and energy delivery.