Ontario's Functional Ingredient Companies to Gather at First Annual: Marketing Health Functionality - Export Tactics for U.S. Success Conference

Conference designed to help shape and support Ontario's functional foods and ingredients enter the US market.

Toronto, ON, Canada (PRWEB) November 29, 2007 -- On December 10th, companies active within the functional foods and natural health product sectors in Ontario and throughout Canada will gather for the first annual Marketing Health Functionality -- Export Tactics for U.S. Success conference.

The event, organized by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in partnership with MaRS Landing, will take place at Toronto's MaRS Centre, a key institution in the city's Discovery District designed to accelerate the commercialization of Canadian innovation. The conference will focus on critical issues for export success and business opportunities within the rapidly growing U.S. market for functional health ingredients. The day will host an elite gathering of product developers, academics and executives from Canada and the U.S. to discuss how Canadian companies, those based in Ontario in particular, can benefit from the opportunities in the U.S. market. The one-day conference will feature presentations and case studies from industry experts, inward investment representatives from the U.S., as well as successful Ontario-based companies.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with MaRS Landing and AAFC to be a presenter at this milestone event," said Rune G. Nilssen, a Partner with Strategro International, a market entry and growth consultancy with a core focus on natural products and ingredients. "The market is ripe for this type of conference as exporting to the U.S., although close in proximity to Canada, offers many unique challenges for Canadian companies to overcome. Navigating this playing field requires careful planning and execution. This is an area we know well through our work with companies within this sector located in other countries, with similar profiles and challenges," continued Nilssen.

MaRS Landing facilitates business and research collaboration between stakeholders in Toronto's MaRS Discovery District, Guelph's agricultural-life sciences cluster, and Ontario's rural innovation community. AAFC's Market and Industry Services Branch, co-host of the event, provides a full range of market access, market development and investment services to Canadian agri-food companies.

"This will be a unique opportunity for Ontario-based functional health ingredient and innovation companies and other interested parties to gather, network, and take advantage of U.S. opportunities," said Dr. John Kelly, Executive Director of MaRS Landing. "All over the world, national and regional governments are developing strategies and tactics on how to better structure and promote their functional food industries, and to better capitalize on global market opportunities. Combined with a vibrant entrepreneurial community, Ontario is also rich in raw materials, science and technology so many critical pieces are in place to create a solid natural health products sector - this event will further help shape the industry," Dr. Kelly continued.

For more event information:
http://www.marslanding.ca/eventdetails.aspx?EventID=56

Event Contacts:
John Kelly
MaRS Landing, Guelph ON
john.kelly @ marslanding.ca
Tel: 519-824-4120 x56604

Eugene Jaworski
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
jaworskie @ agr.gc.ca
Tel: 519-780-8002

About Strategro International
Strategro International is a market entry and business growth firm working with companies and organizations within the functional foods, nutraceuticals, marine biotechnology, and life science sectors. Strategro Consulting is the group's consultancy business, which assists companies to enter and expand into new markets, providing business development, strategic advice, market intelligence and hands-on assistance. Strategro International has offices in the U.S. and Canada.

Strategro Contact:
Rune G. Nilssen
Strategro International, Toronto Office
rune.nilssen @ strategro.com
Tel: +1 416-840-4536
www.strategro.com

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