Beauty By The Sea Oban | SAMS (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
Cultural Experiences
When Canada and Scotland team up over seaweed, big things happen. This partnership is more than just a cross-border handshake — it’s a deep dive into business development, ocean innovation, and sustainable product creation that benefits both sides of the Atlantic. At the heart of this collaboration is a shared belief: macro and microalgae aren’t just marine marvels — they’re future-making ingredients. From skincare actives to next-gen bioplastics, from fashion fibers to functional foods, seaweed is proving it can do it all. And as demand for sustainable, traceable, and planet-friendly materials continues to rise, both countries are riding the wave together.
Leading the Canadian delegation is the Pacific Seaweed Association, headed by its dynamic founder Mark Smith, who will accompany a group of innovative Canadian companies to Oban. Together, they’ll showcase Canada’s growing leadership in seaweed-based innovation from ingredient development to regenerative aquaculture technologies. This is a chance to see Canadian creativity and scientific expertise in action, and to spark new cross-border partnerships rooted in the blue economy. Oban, backed by the powerhouse that is SAMS (Scottish Association for Marine Science), is quickly making a name for itself as a global hotspot for aquaculture innovation. This event will put that visibility into overdrive, giving Scotland’s west coast the spotlight it deserves. For investors and international partners looking for the next big thing in marine sustainability — Oban is the place to watch. But this isn’t just about science. It’s about sparking real, meaningful industry collaboration.
Throughout the event, participants will rub shoulders with biotech brains, beauty brand builders,algae entrepreneurs, and researchers — all ready to team up, trade ideas, and co-create the next big thing in blue innovation. These conversations? They’re where the magic happens — leading to fresh products, bold research directions, and scalable solutions that go beyond the lab.
Beauty By The Sea – Event Structure
Day 1: The Science of Seaweed
Morning Session
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM – Registration & Welcome Coffee
Informal networking and refreshments as participants arrive.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Opening Remarks
Welcome speeches from regional partners (Highland Economic Board, SAMS)
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM – Special Address from an Impact Investor
A short insight into why regenerative aquaculture and seaweed innovation are rising stars in the world of sustainable investing.
Individual Science & Innovation Presentations
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM – Notpla - Cecile Roques
Seaweed-Powered Bioplastics: Rethinking Packaging from the Ocean Up
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Oceanium - TBA
Unlocking the Potential of Seaweed-Derived Ingredients for Wellness & Skincare
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM – Inclita Seaweed - TBA
Customizing and Scaling Seaweed-Based Ingredients for Industry Needs
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Networking Lunch
A seasonal lunch showcasing Scottish produce and seaweed-inspired dishes. During this lunch session we will stream the documentary - Seaweed Stories thanks to our partners at the Lonely Whale. Presented by Lonely Whale in association with Re:wild. Narrated by Forest Whitaker, Seaweed Stories is a vibrant, global look at the wonders of seaweed, and some of the extraordinary stories and characters whose lives have been entangled by this often overlooked marine plant which may hold answers to some of humanity's biggest challenges. Seaweed Stories includes insights from a Silicon Valley startup creating plastic alternatives from macroalgae, to the Indigenous Shinnecock Kelp Farmers using seaweed to prove their sovereign right to coastal land, and a scientist in South Korea supporting seaweeds' sexual reproduction to create new species that can withstand the effects of a changing climate.
Afternoon Presentations & Research Tour
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM – 7 Fathoms - Courtney Howell
The Healing Power of Seaweed: Running a Marine-Based Beauty Brand
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM – The Importance of Seaweed Farming - Rhianna Rees
Seaweed farming is one of the most sustainable forms of aquaculture on the planet. It requires no freshwater, no fertilizers, and no arable land — yet it yields nutrient-rich biomass that can be used in everything from food and cosmetics to bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. Beyond its commercial value, seaweed plays a powerful environmental role: it absorbs carbon, reduces ocean acidification, and supports marine biodiversity.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Guided Tour of SAMS & CCAP
A behind-the-scenes tour of SAMS research facilities and the Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP), showcasing live cultivation, extraction, and marine biotechnology labs.
Evening Session
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Whiskey Distillery Tour
A cultural visit to a traditional Oban distillery — the perfect end to a day of science and sea air.
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM – Networking Dinner
A hosted evening meal featuring locally sourced food, relaxed discussion, and a celebration of cross-border collaboration.
Day 2: The Business of Seaweed
Morning Session
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM – The Business of Seaweed - Margarita Sidorova
The Global Seaweed Economy: Business Models, Trends & Barriers to Scale
A full briefing on the business landscape, export opportunities, investment flows, and product development goals for business success.
9:45 AM – 10:10 AM – Pacific Seaweed Industry Association - Mark Smith
Strengthening the North American Seaweed Supply Chain
10:10 AM – 10:35 AM – Seaweed Stories - Speaker TBA
Learn about the stories of the success in the seaweed industry and get inspired to create your own.
10:35 AM – 11:00 AM – Building Seaweed Brands - Shower Thoughts, Amanda Horn
How to build brands around seaweed and ocean health. Connecting to consumers with the right messaging and how to avoid blue washing in your marketing campaigns.
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM – Re-Source - Eva Lagarde
Sustainability Trends & Seaweed: What’s Driving the Global Blue Beauty Movement
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Business Lunch & Delegation Networking
A curated lunch with seating arranged by interest area — connect directly with potential partners, funders, and collaborators.
Afternoon Session
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM – SAMS Enterprise
Translating Marine Science into Commercial Success
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM – UK Cosmetic Cluster/BBIA Beauty & the Bioeconomy Task Force -
Jen Vanderhoven
Opportunities in the UK in the Bio Economy and its importance.
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Collaboration Roundtables & Closing Remarks
Facilitated roundtable discussions focused on:
• Overcoming scale-up bottlenecks
• Creating shared infrastructure
• Commercializing marine-based innovation
• Building a transatlantic seaweed network
Final remarks and a look ahead to future initiatives.
******Please let us know if you have any food requirments in advanced for the meals provided.
Information Source: Canadian Cosmetic Cluster | eventbrite