Sean Conway, Chair of the Board, Ontario Centres of Excellence and Public Policy Advisor, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

Dr. Tom Corr, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Centres of Excellence

Patrick K. Horgan, Vice President, Manufacturing, Development and Operations, IBM Canada

Explore over 200,000 sq. feet of new ideas, innovations and solutions in CleanTech, Health, Digital, Information and Communications Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing and more, that are shaping the future of Ontario.

As the new forest economy unfolds, the traditional reliance on wood fibre for lumber and by the pulp and paper industry is evolving into new high-value opportunities. Bioenergy, bio-products and selective high-value species selection based on growth and yield rates, combined with intelligent decision management tools are resulting in new forest product sectors. This session will examine some of these new opportunities.

Moderator:

Dianne Miller, General Manager, Forest Ecosystem Science Co-operative Inc.

Panellists:

Andrew Pollard, Professor, Queen's University

Dr. Naresh V Thevathasan, Manager, Agroforestry Research and Development, School of Environmental Science, University of Guelph

Murray Woods, Senior Analyst - Forested Landscapes, OMNR

The Connections program brings together Ontario's top final-year college and university undergraduate students and innovative Ontario companies to give students the opportunity to apply technical and professional skills to real-world problems. The program helps students grow as innovators and leaders in business through hands-on learning experiences by working directly with industry experts. This year's program finalists will present their projects to a panel of judges with the goal of winning one of three $2,000 cash prizes as the best university, college or Ontario Power Authority (OPA) energy conservation projects. Click here to learn more.

To learn more about the Connections finalists, click here.

Moderator:

Roxy Hamilton, Program Manager, Talent, Ontario Centres of Excellence

Judges:

Brian Armstrong, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Bruce Power

Lucy Keating, Co-Founder and Partner, Commexus Inc.

William McClean, Corporate Director

Jenni Myllynen, Manager - Funds, Market Transformation, Conservation Division, Ontario Power Authority

Dr. Molly Shoichet, Canada Research Chair in Tissue Engineering and Professor of Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry, Chemistry and Biomaterials & Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto

Canada has world class neuroscience talent and Ontario’s capabilities in neurotechnology leads within Canada. Recent establishment of the Ontario Brain Institute will pave the way for international collaboration on the frontiers of neuroscience with a focus on applications such as chronic pain, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and preventative medicine for cognitive health/dementia. However there are many issues specific to neuroscience technologies that make the road to commercialization more difficult. The panel will shed light on what these issues are and strategies to overcome them.

Moderator:

Dr. Donald Stuss, President and Scientific Director, Ontario Brain Institute

Panellists:

Dr. Max S. Cynader, Director, Brain Research Centre, University of British Columbia

Dr. Michael G. Fehlings, Senior Scientist, Division of Genetics & Development, Toronto Western Research Institute (TWRI)

Kelly Holman, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Genesys Capital

Todd Vienneau, Director, Business Development - New Growth Opportunities, GlaxoSmithKline Canada

The sustainable use and management of land is a challenge facing many communities today. The fixed capacity of landfills, scarcity of land for development, and the growing requirements for infrastructure and transportation projects – all have rendered soil a critical natural resource to be managed efficiently and effectively. This session will explore the sustainable beneficial re-use of soil and highlight the strategic importance of using innovative solutions and approaches to remediate, redevelop and revitalize lands to provide lasting benefit to future generations while protecting the environment.

Moderator:

Alan Durand, Technical Advisory Committee, Canadian Brownfields Network

Panellists:

Dr. Jason Gerhard, Canada Research Chair in Geo-environmental Restoration Engineering, Western University

David Harper, President and Managing Partner, Environmental Risk Management, Kilmer Brownfield Equity Fund

Andy Manahan, Executive Director, Residential & Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario

Jeanette Southwood, Global & Canadian Sustainable Cities Leader / Principal, Golder Associates

Water is Canada’s most visible natural resource and the perception of Canada’s water abundance drives how it is used. As demand and pollution increase, and water availability decreases, its life-cycle is an increasingly critical factor in the sustainability and growth of Canada’s economy. How do wiser water and environment decisions help connect the dots for building smarter economies in smarter cities? Join this panel to learn how communities and businesses are addressing their bottom lines to make water a priority and take advantage of its opportunity.

Moderator:

Kerry Freek, Editor, Water Canada

Panellists:

Alex Keen, President and CEO, The ALTECH Group

Steven Renzetti, Dept. Economics (Enviro.), Brock University

Chris Rickett, Senior Project Manager , Partners in Project Green (TRCA)

9:30 - 10:00 a.m.

Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, International Trade Branch

Marek Karwowski, International Market Consultant , USA: Construction, Environment, Renewable Energy

Roshan Mohan, Manager, International Markets

10:35 - 10:55 a.m.

International Presentation

Haishan Zhao, Chairman, Tianjin Municipal Science & Technology Commission, Tianjin, China

11:00 - 11:15 a.m.

International Presentation

Alistair Burt, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Government at all levels is open for business and a potential customer for Ontario’s innovative products and services.

The Procurement Marketplace at Discovery 12 is the meeting place for companies to connect one-on-one with Procurement Directors representing numerous ministries from the Ontario, Federal and Municipal governments. Take advantage of this informal opportunity to sit down and present your business while gaining insight and connections towards your best path to procurement.

Complementary presentations will include an overview of the procurement process and how to become a vendor, a case study of successful program partnerships, and current government procurement initiatives.

For a list of procurement officers from all levels of government, click here.

9:45 - 10:15 a.m.

Green Focus on Innovation and Technology (GreenFIT)

David Ogilvie, Senior Policy Advisor, Technology Programs, Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation

Ontario’s Green Focus on Innovation and Technology (GreenFIT) Procurement Strategy is designed to drive Ontario’s new green economy and encourage green innovation and technological leadership through the government’s own purchasing. This presentation will provide an overview and update the status of GreenFIT and explain the eligibility, application and review process. It will also describe some of the pilot projects already underway and their expected outcomes.

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Doing Business with Government: An overview of provincial, federal and municipal procurement

Manny Argiropoulos, Chief, SME Stakeholder Engagement for Industry and Government with the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises (OSME), Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ontario Region

Nicolas Falcone, Coordinator, Corporate Purchasing & Quality Assurance, Purchasing and Materials Management Division, City of Toronto

Kevin Fox, Senior Procurement Consultant in the Stakeholder Outreach unit of the Ministry of Government Services, Supply Chain Management Division

At the recent International Commercialization Forum, commercialization experts from Canada and around the world discussed the impact of the commercialization of research discoveries on the world economy. This group of expert emphasized the critical importance of intermediary organizations facilitating access to the global market place. At the forum, OCE’s Centre for Commercialization of Research launched a pilot program to accelerate this access for early-stage companies that are customer or investor ready. The panellists will discuss their views on how Canadian Intermediary organizations can help grow promising companies by helping them access global players.

Moderator:

Dr. Mario Thomas, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Programs and Partnerships, Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and Managing Director, OCE’s Centre for Commercialization of Research (CCR)

Panellists:

Yvon Brousseau, CEO, C3E

Jeffrey Crelinsten, President, The Impact Group

Pamela Freeman, Chief Operating Officer, TEC Edmonton

Susan Gorges, CEO, SpringBoard West Innovations

Meeting Ontario's energy demands over the next 20-30 years will require unprecedented expansion and renewal of the province’s electricity, natural gas and transportation fuel infrastructure. Currently we build and operate energy infrastructure in distinct silos, but if new technology is aligned with smart policy, and a renewed R&D emphasis, our energy needs could be achieved with lower costs, improved reliability, and lower environmental impact. The panel will explore examples of how the province’s significant pipeline infrastructure could be leveraged for significant improvements across the energy end-use community.

Moderator:

David J. McFadden, QC, Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

Panel:

Sean Conway, Chair of the Board, Ontario Centres of Excellence and Public Policy Advisor, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP

Dan Goldberger, Executive Director, Energy Technology Innovation Canada

Chuck Szmurlo, Vice President, Alternative and Emerging Technology, Enbridge Inc.

Rapid prototyping (RP) technology has advanced in recent years: it has become cheaper, faster, more accurate and is multi-material. As a result, it is the tool of choice for prototyping and testing. Now, the next generation of RP technology is diversifying into the very small and the very large bio-metallic and ceramic materials markets and is being used to make items for both factory production and for personal use. Join this panel discussion to hear about the state of the industry and see examples of parts being made right before your eyes.

Moderator:

Melba Kurman, President and Founder, Triple Helix Innovation

Panellists:

Jeff DeGrange, Vice President, Direct Digital Manufacturing, Stratasys Incorporated

Bruno Maruzzo, Commercialization Officer, iDAPT, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

Matt Ratto, Director, ThingTank Lab, University of Toronto

Gilad Shoham, Production Manager, KBT Contract Manufacturing Inc.

The Discovery Innovation Theatre provides an opportunity for government organizations to showcase and discuss their individual program offerings. Presenters from provincial and federal government organizations invite you to learn about their various programs and answer your questions.

2:00 - 2:15 p.m.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Tibor Turi, Manager, NSERC Ontario Regional Office

2:20 - 2:35 p.m.

Canada Revenue Agency, Scientific Research & Experimental Development Divisin (SR&ED)

Dr. Lynda Sturgeoff, Research & Technology Manager, Canada Revenue Agency

2:40 - 2:55 p.m.

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)

Tom Matulis, Director, NRC Ontario Region

3:00 - 3:15 p.m.

Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)

Taras Hollyer, Director, Program Policy and Innovation, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

3:20 - 3:35 p.m.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO)

Dumitru Olariu, Business Development Officer

3:40 - 3:55 p.m.

International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada)

Bharat Rudra, Country Manager for India and Brazil

Government at all levels is open for business and a potential customer for Ontario’s innovative products and services.

The Procurement Marketplace at Discovery 12 is the meeting place for companies to connect one-on-one with Procurement Directors representing numerous ministries from the Ontario, Federal and Municipal governments. Take advantage of this informal opportunity to sit down and present your business while gaining insight and connections towards your best path to procurement.

Complementary presentations will include an overview of the procurement process and how to become a vendor, a case study of successful program partnerships, and current government procurement initiatives.

For a list of procurement officers from all levels of government, click here.

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Understanding the Canadian Innovation Commercialisation Program (CICP)

Helen Braiter, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)

3:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Promoting R&D Investment in Canada through Procurement

Suzanne Lorrain, Senior Director of the Science Procurement Directorate (SPD, the Acquisition Branch of PWGSC

The province of Ontario has identified cancer as an area with unique opportunities for supporting research and innovation. Expected to impact the burden of cancer and also lead to the creation of innovative industries and commercial partnerships. The key challenge still remains in the commercialization and adoption of technologies focused in this area into the healthcare system.

Moderator:

Peter Goodhand, President and CEO, Canadian Cancer Society and Chair, HTX

Panellists:

Luigi Gentile, Executive Director, Pathology Innovation Centre of Excellence (PICOE) – GE Healthcare

Frank Gleeson, Executive-in-Residence, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Dr. Stefan Larson, CEO, Tornado Medical Systems, Thunder Bay, ON

Dr. Michael Sherar, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario and Quality Council Member, Cancer Quality Council of Ontario

The Council of Ontario Universities, in partnership with the Government of Ontario, presents the first annual Innovative Designs for Accessibility (IDeA) student competition. Working individually or in teams, students were encouraged to collaborate with industry, government and community partners, including members of the disability community, to identify an accessibility-related issue, develop a plan to address the issue, and create an innovative and unique solution to it. The top 8 finalists will be presenting their designs.