Conference Agenda
Day 1 - Thursday May 21st - Pre-Forum Morning Programme
The Blue Economy’s Growth Engine: Algae, shellfish and circular value
9:00 – 10:00
Introduction
Siggi Petursson, president of Algae Iceland Association - Overview of the algae and shellfish sector
Shellfish
Júlíus Kristinsson, CEO of Silfurgen - Shellfish culture; Present status and future with technology development
Vala Valþórsdóttir, CEO of Aurora Abalone - Aurora Abalone using Iceland unique resources of geothermal heat and lava filtrated sea
Microalgae
Ingólfur Bragi Gunnarsson, CEO of Myskopun - Myskopun cultivation of microalgae in geothermal in North-East of Iceland
Julie Encausse, CEO of Marea - Edible Coatings from Microalgae: Preserving Fresh Produce without Plastic
Macroalgae
Anna Þóra Hrólfsdóttir, project manager at Matís - Opportunity in value added processing of macroalgae in Iceland
Ingibjörg Valgeirsdóttir, CEO of Lava Seaweed - From waste to value. Seaweed as a natural biofilter for aquaculture
Investing in Iceland
Fernando Calvo, Director at SAMCA - Working in Iceland: Sustainability, Opportunity, and the Value of Long‑Term Commitment
10:15-10:30
Coffee Break & Networking
10:30-11:00
Panel Discussion: Status and opportunity in shellfish and algae sector in Iceland.
Moderator: Siggi Petursson president of Algae Iceland Association
Participants: Júlíus Kristinsson, CEO of Silfurgen, Vala Valþórsdóttir, CEO of Aurora Abalone, Ingólfur Bragi Gunnarsson, CEO of Myskopun, Julie Encausse, CEO of Marea, Ingibjörg Valgeirsdóttir, CEO of Lava Seaweed and Fernando Calvo, Director at SAMCA, Anna Þóra Hrólfsdóttir, project manager at Matís.
11:00
Closing Remarks
Siggi Petursson president of Algae Iceland Association
Day 1 - Thursday May 21st
Iceland upfront: Shaping the future of Icelandic Aquaculture
12:15-13:00
Delegate registration - Networking and Coffee
Opening and Welcome Session
13:00-13:25
Session Chair: Rúnar Magni Jónsson, Head of Seafood and Service at Arion Bank
Opening Remarks: Benedikt Gíslason, CEO of Arion Bank
Welcome Remarks: Kjartan Ólafsson, Conference Chair and Chair of IAOF
Keynote Opening Address: H.E. Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, Minister of Industries
Iceland’s Path to Responsible Growth; Policy and Governance
13:25-14:10
Session Chair: Dr. Gylfi Ólafsson, Chair of Westfjords Regional Development Office
Keynote speaker: Gustav Witzøe, Chair of Salmar
Keynote speaker: Aleks Engel, Partner at Novo Holdings
Keynote speaker: Maarten Bijl, CEO of Skretting
Karl Guðmundsson, Head of Strategic Investments at the Prime Minister's Office
14:20-14:40
Panel Discussion: Iceland’s Blueprint: Governing Sustainable Aquaculture Growth.
Moderator: Øyvind André Haram, Communications Manager at ScaleAQ
Participants: Aleks Engel, Partner at Novo Holding, Maarten Bijl, CEO of Skretting, Gustav Witzøe, Chair of Salmar, Karl Guðmundsson, Head of Strategic Investments at the Prime Minister's Office, Lárus Welding, COO at Stoðir.
14:40-14:50
Coffee Break and Networking
Economic & Social Impact of Aquaculture
14:50-15:50
Session Chair: Drew Cherry, Journalist
Keynote speaker: Erna Björg Sverrisdóttir, Chief Economist at Arion Bank
Tim Kennedy, President & CEO at Canadian Aquaculture
Jón Páll Hreinsson, former Mayor of Bolungarvík
Baldvin Þorsteinsson, CEO of Samherji
Henrik Longva Knutsen, Seafood Analyst at Pareto Securities
15:50-16:10
Panel Discussion: Who Benefits? Unlocking Shared Value in Aquaculture.
Moderator: Drew Cherry, Journalist
Participants: Dagmar Ýr Stefánsdóttir, Mayor of Múlaþing, Baldvin Þorsteinsson, CEO of Samherji, Henrik Longva Knutsen, Seafood Analyst at Pareto Securities.
16:10-16:25
Coffee Break and Networking
Clean Energy: Iceland’s Path to Sustainable Aquaculture
16:25-17:10
Session Chair: Iða Brá Benediktsdóttir, Deputy CEO & Managing Director of Retail Banking at Arion Bank
Keynote speaker: María Arana, Climate and Sustainability Leader Europe at Marsh
Lárus Ásgeirsson, Chair of Laxey
Thrandur Olafsson, Energy Specialist at HS Orka
Ragna Árnadóttir CEO of Landsnet
17:10-17:30
Panel Discussion: Powered by Nature: Iceland’s Energy Advantage in Aquaculture.
Moderator: Iða Brá Benediktsdóttir, Deputy CEO & Managing Director of Retail Banking at Arion Bank
Participants: María Arana, Climate and Sustainability Leader Europe at Marsh, Ragna Árnadóttir CEO of Landsnet, Lárus Ásgeirsson, Chair of Laxey, Christo du Plessis, CEO of Matorka, Gestur Pétursson, CEO of The Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency (UOS).
17:30-18:45
Drinks, finger food and networking at Arion Bank's HQ
Day 2 - Friday May 22nd
View from the bridge: global outlook, capital markets and innovation
8:30-9:00
Delegate registration - Networking and Coffee
Geopolitics, Global Markets & Investment Outlook
9:00-10:00
Session Chair: Hákon Hrafn Gröndal, MD of Corporate and Investment Banking at Arion Bank
Keynote speaker: Novel Sharma, analyst focusing on seafood and aquaculture industry at Rabobank
Keynote speaker: Odd Magne Rødseth, Managing Director of Blue Future Holding
Keynote speaker: Nina Stangeland, Managing Director Salmon at High Liner Foods
Gunvar Lenhard Wie, CMO at Seaborn
10:00-10:30
Panel Discussion: Follow the Capital: Trends Shaping Aquaculture Investment.
Moderator: Hákon Hrafn Gröndal, Managing Director of Corporate and Investment Banking
Participants: Novel Sharma, analyst at Rabobank, Nina Stangeland, Managing Director Salmon at High Liner Foods, Odd Magne Rødseth, Managing Director of Blue Future Holding.
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee Break & Networking
Innovation Driving Sustainable Growth in Aquaculture
11:00 - 11:55
Session Chair: Daníel Jakobsson, CEO at Arctic Fish
Keynote speaker: Ross Houston, Chief Scientific Officer at Benchmark Genetics
Hans Emil Atlason, Co-Founder and CEO of Ration
Arild Aasmyr, CEO of Trident Aqua Services
Thomas Berg Myrvold, CEO of ELDI
Trude Steinbru Heggstad, Head of Digital and Innovation, Aquaculture and Ocean Health at DNV
The Icelandic Way to Growth
11:55 - 12:20
Session Chair: Ólöf Helga Jónsdóttir, CPO at Kaldvík
Daníel Jakobsson, CEO of Arctic Fish
Gunnar Páll Tryggvason, Managing Partner at Alfa Framtak
12:20 - 12:50
Panel Discussion: Investing in Resilient and sustainable growth
Moderator: Drew Cherry, Journalist
Participants: Gunnar Páll Tryggvason, Managing Partner at Alfa Framtak, Orri Hauksson, Chair of First Water, Birna Einarsdóttir, Chair of Iceland Seafood, Ólöf Helga Jónsdóttir, CPO at Kaldvík, Einar Pálmi Sigmundsson, Head of Corporate Finance at Arion Bank.
12:50-12:55
Closing Remarks
Kjartan Ólafsson, Chair of IAOF
12:55
4th IAOF Conference Close
Site Visits
13:00 -18:00
As part of IAOF 2026, we are pleased to offer delegates the opportunity to join optional site visits on Friday, 22 May, providing first-hand insight into Iceland’s aquaculture operations. Delegates can choose between two options:
1) South Coast (Thorlákshöfn)
Visit leading land-based aquaculture facilities:
Thor Salmon
Ísþór (Arnarlax smolt station)
Please note: Due to biosecurity considerations, participants must choose between visiting either Thor Salmon or Ísþór.
2) Westfjords (Ísafjörður)
Flight from Reykjavík to Ísafjörður
Visit to Arctic Fish
Dinner hosted by Arctic Fish
Overnight stay in Ísafjörður
Please note: Participants are required to cover flight costs. Accommodation at Hotel Ísafjörður is ISK 15,000.
Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis