Arctic Feel to F&V Conference 

Last week the Marketing sector of the fresh produce industry, together with a number of growing sector representatives got together at the annual Australian Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries conference.

There were many highlights including presentations from a range of high profile speakers and excellent opportunities for networking. Conference presenters focused on themes which are very relevant to the industry such as working more closely together, building on our successes and looking at current trends and opportunities to ensure success into the future.

Speakers included arctic explorer and adventurer, Graeme Joy who discussed successful teams. Michael O’Keeffe, a strategy consultant in the fresh food supply chain looked at the role of Market wholesalers. Dr Ian Paterson spoke on areas of trust and technology adoption in agribusiness supply chains, while Michael Morrisson, a specialist in the art of sensorial marketing gave an insight into the potential of emotional branding.

There were also a number of panel discussions hosted by agribusiness supply chain specialist David Hanlon. These panel discussions brought home some of the key themes of the conference and highlighted some practical take home messages.

The issue of climate change was highlighted as one of the future challenges for the industry by Professor Roger Stone, while John Webster, the CEO of Horticulture Australia Limited gave an overview and update on the Horticulture Industry’s Strategic Planning Project titled ‘Future Focus’.

One final highlight was the keynote address by four times Australian ice-skating Olympian and gold medallist Steven Bradbury. His story of determination and commitment finally saw him rewarded for his efforts after a spectacular final lap spill took out his four rivals in the race for Olympic Gold. His entertaining and motivating speech contained numerous insights and messages which were all relevant at both a personal and business level.

The conference culminated in a dinner which was run in conjunction with the annual Brisbane Produce Markets Gala Dinner.

With some 700 attendees, including the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Tim Mulherin and other industry figures, it was a very fitting celebration for the announcement of the Retailer of the Year Award, which was won by Farmer Joe’s Country Market at Kedron from a field of 30 finalists.

Congratulations and well done David, Julian and Christiaan Vedelago from Farmer Joe’s Country Market on the tremendous achievement.

My personal thanks go to the sponsors, presenters, the conference delegates – particularly those from interstate and those growing sector representatives who made the time to be a part of the Conference and assisted in making it a tremendous success.