Every year, PMA Fresh Connections aims to grow
bigger, better and brighter, with more of the freshest ideas, up-to-the-minute information and forward thinking presenters. In 2016, the event is heading to the ‘Sunshine State’ and will be the largest information, learning and networking event to bring together the entire fresh fruit, vegetable and floral value chains in the Australasian region. Organisers are pleased to announce that registrations are now open for PMA Fresh Connections 2016, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, 17 – 19 May.
PMA A-NZ is thrilled to announce that Senator Anne Ruston will be speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Conference on Tuesday 17 May. Senator Anne Ruston is the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. She is a small business owner, primary producer, irrigator and a passionate advocate for rural and regional communities. She has held several positions in government and the private sector, including senior policy adviser to the South Australian Minister for Industrial Affairs and Tourism, Recreation, Sport and Racing, and inaugural chief executive of the National Wine Centre. Anne owns Ruston’s Roses, a commercial cut-flower, tourism, café, floristry and retail business.
PMA Fresh Connections 2016 Program
The hugely successful three day format will be repeated in 2016 which allows delegates to mix-and-match the events and topics to best suit their company and staff needs. The Conference kicks off on Tuesday 17th May with topics including ‘Turning digital disruption into an advantage for fresh produce’, ‘A new business model for exporting to China’ and ‘The fresh category - the winning formula across the value chain’. With a great line up of internationally acclaimed speakers, you are guaranteed to leave with refreshed and invigorated ideas to help grow a brighter future for you and your business.
May 18th will offer a huge day of prime Trade Show time and is a great opportunity to meet with buyers from the major or independent retailers, source new suppliers, get up close to cutting edge technologies and innovations, make new business connections and even to check out the competition! The lower entry price last year meant that the PMA Fresh Connections Trade Show had record breaking attendance and also managed to significantly cut down on food wastage by allowing delegates to purchase their own lunch. This year, PMA A-NZ will repeat the process and offer Tradeshow tickets at a low $85. Delegates will have the option to choose from variety of food stalls within the tradeshow and enjoy the market festival atmosphere while they eat!
Along with perennial favourites the Welcome Breakfast and Gala Dinner, the Tradeshow day will bring back two new additions in the Fresh Hub and Meet the Experts. The Fresh Hub is an industry platform to share new information and technology with the fresh produce and floral industry. With an expected audience of 1,500 key industry representatives, the Fresh Hub offers a great opportunity to connect and share.
Day three is dedicated to the Special Interest Groups and includes the Foodservice Forum, Fresh Ideas for Success Forum, Fresh Produce Organics Forum, and the Australian Horticulture Exporters Association Forum, all of which are designed specifically to stimulate industry development and growth. Day three will also include the annual Retail Tour and a Farm Tour which will visit farming operations on the Sunshine Coast including pineapples, strawberries, macadamia, custard apples and value added products.
After rave reviews from last year’s inaugural event, PMA A-NZ is bringing back the highly commended Women’s Fresh Perspectives as the official PMA Fresh Connections Opening Dinner on Monday 16th May. The Women's Fresh Perspectives Opening Dinner is being held at The Jetty, South Bank and will motivate and inspire you for the big week ahead! This year, the theme is 'Creating a path to Diversity' - chosen to make us reflect on how we can improve our industry through workplace diversity. There are limited places available so don’t wait to register for your ticket.
For more information:
Renee Harrison
PMA Australia-New Zealand Ltd
Tel: +61 3 8844 5536