2009 Sponsors

Pathfinders Leading The Way our of the Financial Crisis.

The route out of the quagmire of the global financial crisis will be the focus of Pathfinders: The Innovator’s Conference, which gets under way at the National Convention Centre in Canberra between 26-28 May 2009.

The formidable line-up of national and international speakers is expected to attract scientists, politicians, senior government officials and business leaders, who will hear presentations on how innovation can help fortify industry and governments against financial shocks.

This year, for the first time, the conference will be aligned with the Australian Science Festival.

Innovation and the Global Financial Crisis

Pathfinders comes at a time when pressure from the global financial crisis is expected to intensify in Australia. It will be the first major innovation focused conference after the Federal Budget. And it will follow the release, expected early this year, of the Australian Government’s White Paper on innovation following the Cutler review of the national innovation system. We have invited Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr to address the conference on the government’s big reform program.

Keynote Speakers

Speakers invited to address plenary sessions include:
the new CSIRO chief executive officer, Dr Megan Clark
the new Chief Scientist, Professor Penny Sackett
Mr Chris Richardson, Leading Economist, Access Economics
Mr Jean-Claude Gavrel, Director of Canada’s Networks of Centres of Excellence, will speak on collaboration, one of the conference’s major themes.

Australian Science Festival

The International Collaboration Cocktail Reception at the Science Festival’s Amazing World of Science Exhibition, also at the National Convention Centre, will showcase around 20 Cooperative Research Centres along with up to 30 other scientific exhibits with the OptiPortal wall as the Expo’s centerpiece.

The reception will be attended by ambassadors and other embassy staff, scientists and business leaders and will introduce many to the possibilities of international research cooperation.

Showcasing Early Career Scientists

Meanwhile, a session showcasing research by Early Career Scientists, sponsored again by CSIRO, is expected to be one of the most popular conference events.

Professional Development Seminars

Professional development seminars on Thursday May 28 will cover topics such as Commercialisation and The Translation of Science into Policy.

Awards for "Excellence in Innovation" Gala Presentation Dinner

A highlight this year will be the annual Awards Dinner which will be held in the Great Hall at Parliament House, on Tuesday May 26. Sponsored by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the event will feature the presentation of the prestigious Awards for Excellence in Innovation by the Minister, Senator Kim Carr. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been invited to attend, and former PM Bob Hawke will deliver an address recognising 18 years since he announced the inception of the Cooperative Research Centres Program.

This year’s conference is expected to be our biggest ever, and I look forward to seeing you there.

Michael Hartmann
Chief Executive Officer
CRC Association