*Registrations close this Friday, 13 October – don’t miss out, register NOW here.
From grove management to sales and marketing, with olive health benefits, composting and EVOO assessment along the way … no matter what you want to learn about, you’ll find it covered at this year’s AOA National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition.
Now only two weeks away, the event is all about growing the quality and viability of your olive business – no matter what your size or structure. The gathering brings together industry and expert presenters for two days of invaluable networking and knowledge sharing, with the dual aims of informing and inspiring to create industry success.
Varied program
The 2023 program is divided into morning plenary sessions and afternoon activities, ensuring a vibrant and stimulating environment throughout the event. Here are just a few of the diverse range of plenary speakers and topics:
- Campbell Mercer, Owner, Manna Hill Estate: Regenerative Farming and Olives: Sustainability, Carbon and Improved Grove Practices
- Tawnya Bahr, Director & Co-Founder, Straight To The Source: Pathway Opportunities to Sales Growth
- Sian Armstrong, Health Professional Education Manager, Olive Wellness Institute: OWI EVOO Health and Nutrition Report – One-Stop Shop for Consumer Q&A
- Mimmo Lubrano, Director Sales & Marketing, Sandhurst Fine Foods: Table Olive Market Update – Imports, Exports, Food Service and Trends
- Dr Joanna McMillan, Nutrition Scientist, Dietitian & Food Futurist: High Polyphenol EVOO: Why Do I Want It and How to Get It?
- Mel Hollick, Peninsula Providore Farm: Making use of Olive Waste – Composting
- Lauren Hamilton, Founder & Director, Digital Narrative: Digital Marketing – Big Opportunities for Small Business
- Grower & Grove Expert Panel: Recovery from Adverse Climatic Events
The afternoon sessions include a field session at Fedra Olive Grove, an interactive EVOO Cooking Class by taste.com.au Food Director Michelle Southan and Food Lovers Guide to Australia presenter Joanna Savill, and an Olive Oil Tasting Workshop led by AIOA Head Judge Helen Taylor and Convenor/Chief Steward Trudie Michels.
Evenings will keep the momentum and networking going, with the Conference Dinner on the Thursday and the Australian International Olive Awards (AIOA) Presentation Dinner following on from the Conference on the Friday (additional ticket required for AIOA Dinner).
*Note: for those flying in, bus transport has been organized from the Mercure Canberra Belconnen to the Conference and Dinner venues, and is included in delegate registration. Discounted rates for the AOA Conference nights at the Mercure Canberra Belconnen can be accessed here (subject to availability).
Trade Exhibition
The event is an opportune time to review your business needs and learn all about the latest product innovations, with the exhibition featuring a range of leading olive industry suppliers and service providers. You’ll get the chance to speak face-to-face with industry experts, and gain personalized advice on the best equipment and services for your operation. The list of exhibitors is available here and you’ll have plenty of time to visit the booths during the session breaks.
Event details
Where: Ann Harding Conference Centre, University of Canberra, ACT
When: Thursday, 26 and Friday, 27 October
More information: On the Conference website here.
Registration: Register for the Conference and purchase AIOA Dinner tickets here.
The National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition is part of the Olive levy project Australian olive industry communications and extension program (OL22000), funded by Hort Innovation, using the Hort Innovation olive research and development levy, co-investment from the Australian Olive Association and contributions from the Australian Government. The event is also supported by the industry sponsors and exhibitors.
