Click here to see photographs from the recent national conference in the Barossa Valley!
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The Wrap Up!
The Citrus Australia national conference is an annual highlight of the Citrus Industry calendar, and this year was no exception. Attended by stakeholders across the value chain, including growers, wholesalers, packers, researchers and retailers - the conference provides attendees with valuable opportunities to learn, network, and consider planning for the year ahead.
The Citrus Australia 2011 National Conference was held at Wolf Blass Visitor Centre, Nuriootpa, South Australia, from 23 to 26 October 2011 and was attended by almost 200 delegates.
Attendees were enthusiastic about the program content, and eager to engage in discussion of the future of the Australian citrus industry. This year for the first time Directors from the Board of Citrus Australia took turns to chair conference sessions – an innovation that was very well received.
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The program included international and local experts presenting on a range of domestic and export market focussed topics. A field trip to Adelaide included visits to a major fresh food retailer, a distribution centre for an online grocery retailer and a regional distribution centre for a major bricks-and-mortar retailer. The program also included networking events and concluded with a cooking with citrus demonstration by Kim McCosker, cofounder and director of 4 Ingredients.
Professor David Hughes, Emeritus Professor of Food Marketing, Imperial College, London was the first keynote speaker. He urged delegates to focus on the taste, quality and consistency of Australian citrus to distinguish it from global competitors. He also stressed the need for Australian products to “tell their story” to consumers.
Malcolm McLean, Business Manager – Produce of Woolworths gave an overview of how this major retailer sells citrus to consumers.
Simon West, Citrus Australia Marketing Manager – Mandarins and Oranges presented on the success of the 2011 domestic promotion programs.
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A second international guest speaker followed. Justin Chadwick, CEO of Citrus Growers of Southern Africa, spoke on how his country’s citrus industry achieved unity and prioritised investments with a relentless focus on growing export markets.
A pair of presentations anchored by a panel discussion rounded off the first day. Kym Thiel, Citrus Australia Value Chain Coordinator and Export Market Liaison, presented on the National Plantings Database. Nathan Hancock, Citrus Australia Manager – Market Information and Domestic Market Liaison followed with a presentation on the InfoCitrus program.
On the following day Professor David Hughes conducted a breakfast seminar on fresh food marketing. This was followed by the Citrus Australia Annual General Meeting, and the Horticulture Australia Limited Levy Payers Report. In the afternoon delegates boarded a fleet of buses to visit a Woolworths Distribution Centre, an Aussie Farmers Direct Distribution Centre and a new Woolworths retail store - all in the suburbs of Adelaide.
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The final day of the program opened with a speech from culinary icon Maggie Beer on how to increase citrus consumption in Australia. She was followed by Nathan Hancock, Citrus Australia Manager – Market Information and Domestic Market Liaison and Andrew Harty, Citrus Australia General Manager – Market Development presenting on citrus taste standards – what do consumers really value?
Two presenters from Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) then spoke on leading citrus value chain improvements. They were Ben Hebert, Value Chain Project Development Manager, and Casey Work, Research Officer, Horticulture Industry Development Group.
Treena Welch, National Marketing Manager of Harvest FreshCuts, then presented a case study on Calypso Mangoes – a whole of value chain approach to growing and marketing mangoes. The conference closed with a citrus cooking demonstration by Kim McCosker, cofounder and director of 4 Ingredients.
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Delegates also enjoyed the social events, which included the Gala Dinner, featuring guest speaker and sporting icon Max Walker, as well as the Gourmet BBQ and charity evening, with Elders representative and sporting legend Glen McGrath.
A big thank you to all of our fantastic speakers, as well as everyone who assisted and participated in the event itself. All up, a great conference with lots of positive feedback received – stay tuned for information on the upcoming 2012 event!
Speaker presentations
Missed out on the Conference but still interested in the content? Would you like to revisit one of your favourite talks? See below for keynote speaker presentations...
Professor David Hughes, United Kingdom - keynote presentation
Professor David Hughes, United Kingdom - breakfast presentation
Justin Chadwick, South African Citrus Growers
Simon West, Marketing Manager - Mandarins & Oranges, Citrus Australia
Nathan Hancock, Manager, Market Information & Domestic Market Liaison, Citrus Australia - InfoCitrus
Nathan Hancock, Citrus Australia - Australian Citrus Quality Standards
Casey Work, Department of Primary Industries and Resources of South Australia (PIRSA)
Simon West, Marketing Manager - Oranges & Mandarins, Citrus Australia - 2011 PromotionsSponsors of the 2011 Citrus Australia National Conference
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CHARITY AUCTION DINNER |
LANYARDS |
COFFEE MUGS |
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EXHIBITOR STANDS ONLY |
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STUBBY HOLDERS |
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