three people inspect a line of farmed kelp on a small boat

Kelp Fest 2024

Product Showcase | Industry Networking | Farmer Resources | Research | Food & Beverages 

Kelp Fest is an opportunity to celebrate the exciting potential for kelp farming and product development in Atlantic Canada! This year's Kelp Fest will once again bring together farmers, entrepreneurs, foodies, researchers and policy makers to celebrate progress and explore the opportunities and needs of this growing sustainable sector.  

For more information, check out the event descriptions below. 


 

1. Kelp Product Showcase & Competition

Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Time: 3 p.m. *This is a closed event*
Location: St. Mary’s Boat Club, Halifax, N.S.  

Are you developing a product that uses kelp? Do you have an innovation, new gear or tech for kelp farming or processing?  

  • Feature your business at Kelp Fest 2024 
  • Connect with experts 
  • Build partnerships 
  • Identify paths to grow your business  

Application and registration for this event are now closed.

a grid of three images: a bar of kelp soap, three jars of kelp finishing salts, and two canapes made with kelp

Learn more & apply

Learn more and apply

*Applications for this event are now closed

Showcase your product line, prototype or early-stage idea and compete for prize packages to support your business’ development. Network with leading business development experts, potential investors, sea farming sector leaders and researchers.  

Our expert panel will judge entries and support participants before and after the competition to solidify their idea and prepare for the showcase. 

Expert Judges and Participant Support Panel:

headshots of the panel of judges and support team: Rhiannon Davies   Founding & Managing Partner, Sandpiper Ventures VC      Dan Shaw   University Teaching Fellow, MBA Program Director, Dalhousie University      Ashley Sprague   Manager of Seafood, Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation     Shannon Arnold   Associate Director of Marine Programs, Ecology Action Centre

Prize packages will include a cash award and product, market, packaging and/or testing support from experts customized to your business need. Winners will be selected in the following categories: 

  • Best New Idea  
  • Best Existing Product

We are now accepting applications until Friday, April 12. Participation is limited to residents of Atlantic Canada. 

Click here to apply

 

Does your business or organization provide products, services, financing or business development support programming that can support the growing cultivated kelp sector? See below for details and to apply!

Network & Become a Tradeshow Exhibitor at the Showcase

The Atlantic Canadian cultivated kelp sector presents a sustainable, inclusive, and unique-to-Atlantic-Canada opportunity representing millions of dollars in potential market share across multiple sectors, including:   

  • Food,  
  • Personal care,   
  • Nutraceutical,   
  • Agricultural, and   
  • Biomaterials    

Join us to network with showcase entrepreneurs and or participate as a tradeshow exhibitor during the showcase to share how you can benefit participating businesses.  

Space is also available for businesses and organizations that want to support showcase entrepreneurs in preparation for this event by mentoring or sharing services during workshops before the showcase.   

Complete this brief application form to indicate your interest and reserve your spot. Any questions can be directed to Merydie Ross at merydie.ross@ecologyaction.ca

Click here to apply


 

2. Kelp Fest Conference Day & Opening Reception 

Date and Time: Wednesday May 8, 5-8 p.m. (Opening Reception) and Thursday, May 9, 9-4 p.m. (Conference Day) 
Location: St. Mary’s Boat Club - 1641 Fairfield Rd, Halifax, NS, B3H 2A6 

Insights and updates on all things cultivated kelp in Atlantic Canada. 

Click here for conference agenda with links to speakers and presenters! 

Registration is now full. Please contact kelp.kurious@ecologyaction.ca to be added to the waitlist.

a grid of three images of various presentations to attendees at the 2023 Kelp Kurious conference

Learn more & apply

Featured Speaker - Mitch Lench, CEO and founder of Ocean’s Balance, based in Maine. Hear about their business journey bringing innovative seaweed products to market, now operating North America’s first large scale commercial kelp dryer, their new ‘Seaweed Farming Services’ venture that offers drying and milling for farmers and Mitch's seaweed sector insights.

Aditional Speakers:

Salaweg (Gaspe Kelp Farm and Products) – Canada’s Smartest Kitchen (Kelp Food Product Development Team) â€“ Dr. Stephen O’Leary (Seaweed Research Lead, NRC) – Dr. Carly Buchwald (Kelp nutrients, Dalhousie University) – Merinov (Kelp Tech and Farming Research Centre) – EAC’s Kelp Kurious (Seaweed policy change, markets assessment)

 

Opening Reception: 

Enjoy cocktails and culinary creations by Chef Pamela Alexander Leonforde featuring kelp grown in the beautiful waters of Mahone Bay by Indian Point Marine Farms and a raw bar with their scallops and ShanDaph oysters! This is an evening to connect with seafarmers, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and policy makers helping move the cultivated kelp sector forward in Atlantic Canada. Stick around after to check out the entries in our Kelp Product Showcase & Competition!

Click here to apply

Hotel room block available at Atlantica HotelLimited travel and hotel support available – check the box on RSVP form, if you are in need


 

3. Site Visits & Field Trips 

Date: Friday, May 10, 2024 (tentative) 
Time: TBD 
Location: TBD 

Tour research facilities and farms with our partners.   

More details coming soon!  

a grid of three images of people farming Kelp off the coast of Nova Scotia

 

4. Kelp Kurious Open House 

Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024 
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
Location: 82 Indian Point Rd., Mahone Bay, N.S. 

Visit the Kelp Kurious Education Centre at Indian Point Marine Farms Ltd. in Mahone Bay.  

Check out the Kelp Kurious kelp seedling nursery, explore the touch tank, try kelp snacks, create seaweed art and more!  

Open to the public. Child friendly. Accessible bathrooms on site.

a grid of three images of people participating in the Kelp Fest Open House in 2023

Check back as we update this page with additional event details as they are confirmed! 

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