Ambassador Darci Vetter to Keynote Food and Ag Track at 2016 BIO International Convention
Washington, D.C. (May 31, 2016) – The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) has officially announced that Ambassador Darci Vetter, Chief Agricultural Negotiator of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, will deliver the keynote address during the Food and Agriculture track at the 2016 BIO International Convention. BIO 2016 will be held June 6-9, 2016 in San Francisco, California at the Moscone Center.
"While the United States remains the largest exporter of agricultural products, acceptance of modern technologies is at a crossroads globally," said Brian Baenig, BIO’s Executive Vice President, Food and Agriculture. "Agricultural biotechnology is an important tool that can empower both developed and developing countries to meet challenges such as food insecurity and climate change. Ambassador Vetter will share her perspective on the factors that are shaping agricultural trade in the global marketplace.”
As the Chief Agriculture Negotiator, Ambassador Vetter is responsible for bilateral and multilateral negotiations and policy coordination regarding agricultural trade.
Prior to her current appointment, Ambassador Vetter served as the Deputy Under Secretary at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) where she oversaw the department's international activities. While at USDA, she was responsible for international trade negotiations and export assistance programs, and coordinated USDA's role in international food aid. She has also played a leadership role in several international economic development and trade capacity building programs.
Ambassador Vetter will kick off the Food and Agricultural Track with opening remarks on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 11:00am PDT in Room West 3000.
Sessions to follow Ambassador Vetter’s keynote include:
Uncovering Innovation: Consumers & Transparency, 1:00 PM–2:00 PM
Here speakers will discuss how social and consumer issues are driving innovation and shaping supply chains.
Panel:
- Cameron Bruett, Head of Corporate Affairs at JBS
- Roger Lowe, Executive Vice President, Strategic Communications at Grocery Manufacturers Association
- Doug Cole, Director of Marketing and Communications at Simplot Plant Sciences
Engaging China, 2:15 PM–3:15 PM
During this session, panelists will explore the political and economic landscapes in China and the United States and how this is influencing the use of agricultural biotechnology in both countries.
Panel:
- Frank Terhorst, Global Head of Seeds at Bayer CropScience
- Christine Vick, Senior Advisor at The Cohen Group
Addressing Climate Change and Feeding the World: Food Security and Implications for National Security, 3:30 PM–4:30 PM
The final Food and Ag Day session will take a look at climate change and international development, two critical issues that require scientific innovation and greater public awareness.
Panel:
- Jack Bobo, Chief Communications Officer at Intrexon
- Kimberly Flowers, Director, Global Food Security Project at Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Kasey Gillette, Director of Government Affairs at Monsanto
The BIO International Convention is the largest, most influential global event for the biotechnology industry and regularly attracts the biggest names in biotech, offers key networking and partnering opportunities, and provides insights and inspiration on the major trends affecting the industry. The event features keynotes and sessions from leading policymakers, scientists, and CEOs. The Convention also offers the chance to connect with thousands of companies through BIO One-on-One PartneringTM meetings as well as the world’s largest biotechnology exhibition – the BIO Exhibition. Join the global biotech community and discover where the BIO International Convention can take you. Learn more at convention.bio.org.
About BIO
BIO is the world's largest trade association representing biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIOtechNOW is BIO's blog chronicling “innovations transforming our world” and the BIO Newsletter is the organization’s bi-weekly email newsletter. Subscribe to the BIO Newsletter.