The two-day event aims to not reflect on the growth and achievements of the seaweed sector over the past decade, but also lay the foundations for the future. Industry leaders, researchers, and professionals from across Scotland and the UK will convene to share insights, explore innovations, and foster collaborations that will shape the next decade of the industry.
The SSIA was established in Oban in 2014 to address some of the sector's most pressing challenges in policy, regulation, safety and best practices.
Dr Adam Hughes, senior lecturer at SAMS and previous SSIA director, recalls: “I remember being in the meeting when the decision was made to form the SSIA, there was a palpable feeling in the room that seaweed had a huge potential in Scotland but we needed to come together to overcome shared challenges and to share knowledge. Ten years later, that sense of excitement is still there, and we still have challenges to overcome, but the sector has made huge steps towards that early vision, and continues to grow into a vibrant industry.”
The inaugural SSIA conference took place in Oban in November 2016. It was a 1-day conference with approximately 50 people in attendance. In contrast, the 2023 annual conference attracted over 170 delegates from around the world.
This year’s conference will open with a reception and a traditional Scottish ceilidh at the Corran halls, where the first conference was held.
SSIA business development manager Rhianna Rees says: “We are delighted to host a ceilidh this year, celebrating Scottish culture and fostering connections among attendees from the outset.”
Sponsored by Crown Estate Scotland and Fishmonger’s Hall, the annual conference is a chance for SSIA members to share their latest developments, hear from buyers, and learn about future routes to market.
The event will feature a diverse agenda, including keynote presentations from renowned speakers Stefan Kraan, chief scientific officer at the Seaweed Company, and Mairi Gougeon, Scotland’s minister for rural affairs, land reform and islands.
Other agenda items include a series of panel sessions and talks that explore lessons learned from other sectors, innovative uses of seaweed as biostimulants, and the scalable prospects of biorefineries. Attendees can also look forward to interactive workshops, and a dynamic exhibition hall showcasing the latest advancements in the industry.
This event also provides ample opportunities for networking, allowing participants to connect with industry peers, cultivate valuable partnerships, and gain deeper insights during dedicated networking sessions.
