The not to be missed 2018 National Olive Industry Conference & Trade Exhibition will be held from Thursday 18 October to Saturday 20 October in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.
This year’s conference program will feature three days of hands-on, informative plenary sessions from leading national and international industry speakers, including a variety of production and processing workshops catering to Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and table olive producers.
The conference will be hosted at the Rules Club, a recently renovated modern venue in the centre of Wagga Wagga. Registration and special delegate accommodation rate details are expected to be formally announced in April.
Australian Olive Association (AOA) CEO Greg Seymour said the conference, a strategic investment under the Hort Innovation Olive Fund, will have something for everyone.
“This year’s conference will be quite different to last year, we are really focused on getting delegates more actively involved in the presentations and workshops to provide a hands-on platform for questions and meaningful discussion,” Mr Seymour said.
“The plenary sessions will be supported by workshops and field tours to NWS DPI testing facilities, the Charles Sturt University research facility and local groves and processors on Friday afternoon and Saturday, showcasing the region’s vibrant olive industry and providing in-the-field learning for delegates.
“The conference is not just about growing olives; it’s also about providing information and building industry knowledge about running an efficient and profitable olive business. At the end of the day this is what we all need to do.”
A number of networking opportunities will be scheduled into the program, including a conference dinner on the evening of 18 October and the highlight of the olive industry social calendar, the Australian International Olive Awards Gala Dinner on Friday night 19 October.
Delegates will have the opportunity to hear about the latest levy-funded research and development project findings, and learn about what project resources are available to help strengthen their business at the Hort Innovation trade exhibition stand.
The conference program is currently being finalised. Stay tuned for more details over the coming months.
The conference is facilitated through the project National olive industry conference and trade exhibition (OL16010), funded by Hort Innovation using the olive research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government, with in-kind support from AOA.
