Algae Biomass Organization

ORAGNIZATION'S PRIMARY PURPOSE: THE ALGAE BIOMASS ORGANIZATION ("ABO") IS ORGANIZED EXCLUSIVELY AS AN INDEPENDENT TRADE ASSOCIATION WHICH QUALIFIES AS AN EXEMPT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 501(C)(6) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986.

ABO HOSTED THE 15TH ANNUAL ALGAE BIOMASS SUMMIT SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 27, 2021 AS A VIRTUAL EVENT. WITH 350 ATTENDEES FROM MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES, THE EVENT FEATURED 49 ONLINE CONFERENCE SESSIONS, 138 SPEAKERS, AND OVER 20 POSTER PRESENTATIONS AND TRADE SHOW EXHIBITS. THE ALGAE BIOMASS SUMMIT HAS BECOME THE MOST RENOWNED ALGAE CONFERENCE IN THE WORLD, ATTRACTING LEADERS FROM EVERY QUARTER OF THIS DYNAMIC INDUSTRY.

A) AN ACTIVE AND STRONG BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL ALGAE CAUCUS - THIS GROUP OF LAWMAKERS HAS BECOME AN ACTIVE ADVOCATE FOR ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS THAT SUPPORT IMPORTANT RESEARCH AND PROJECTS ACROSS THE ALGAE VALUE CHAIN TO THE BENEFIT OF ABO MEMBERS AND THE INDUSTRY. THESE FUNDS EXCEEDED 78 MILLION IN 2022, AND ARE EXPECTED TO EXCEED 78 MILLION IN 2023. APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS INCLUDE SEED FUNDING FOR THE ALGAE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE. B) WE FURTHERED OUR WORK ON OUR ALGAE FOR FOOD AND FEED INITIATIVE WITH AN EFFORT TO LAUNCH AN ALGAE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE (ACE). THE MISSION OF THE ACE IS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT, SCALE UP AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIVE, SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-RESTORATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FOOD, FEED, BIOPRODUCTS AND SERVICES FROM ALGAE. FUNDRAISING IS UNDERWAY TO ESTABLISH THE ACE WITH A GOAL TO LAUNCH IN 2023. C) AN ENGAGED ALGAE INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP, RUN BY THE BIOMASS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (BR&D) BOARD - A GROUP COORDINATING FEDERAL ALGAE R&D EFFORTS THAT INCLUDES THE DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, ENERGY, AGRICULTURE, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. ABO PRESENTED AN UPDATE TO THE ALGAE INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON THE STATE OF THE ALGAE INDUSTRY. D) THE SEAWEED AND KELP SECTORS HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN ORGANIZING TO ENGAGE IN POLICY EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT THIS RAPIDLY GROWING SECTOR HAS AN EXCELLENT FOUNDATION ON WHICH TO MAXIMIZE THEIR SUSTAINABILITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT. ABO CONTINUED OUR WORK IN THE MACROALGAE WORKING GROUP, HOSTING THE WORLD WILDLIFE FUND'S STANDARDIZATION WORKSHOP IN OCTOBER 2021 AS A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE SUMMIT. THE EVENT INCLUDED OVER 60 PARTICIPANTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMPANIES, UNIVERSITIES, EXISTING COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND NGOS. THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXCITING AREA OF WORK FOR 2021. E) WE CONTINUED OUR ANNUAL ALGAE BIOMASS SUMMIT AS A FULLY ONLINE EVENT IN 2021 DUE TO COVID-19. ELECTED OFFICIALS, SUSTAINABILITY ADVOCATES, CEOS,BUSINESS EXECUTIVES, SCIENTIFIC LEADERS, STUDENTS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCYSTAFF FROM MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES ALL GATHERED OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERALWEEKS TO SHARE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. NOTABLY, US SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, TOM VILSACK AND DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION DELIVERED KEYNOTE ADDRESSES. WE ADDED ADDITIONAL PROGRAMING, SUCH AS THE MEET THE INDUSTRY SESSIONS, WHICH ALLOWED COMPANIES, NATIONAL LABS, FOUNDATIONS, AND OTHERS TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THEIR WORK (RATHER THAN A DEEP TECHNICAL TALK) TO FOSTER COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. THE ONLINE TOOLS USED IN 2020 AND 2021 WILL BE LEVERAGED IN FUTURE YEARS, AND ABO INTENDS TO COMBINE THEM WITH LIVE EVENTS IN THE FUTURE.

COMMON EXPENSES