Spirits were high last week in Sydney as the industry gathered for its biennial Congress, which provided an optimistic outlook for the future.
More than 300 delegates from producers to supply chain members and transporters attended, information sessions and exhibitions on a range of topics - from marketing and consumer research, to new innovations and the fight against banana diseases. This year's theme was Innovation, Resilience and Sustainability.
Science Speed Talks: Liz Czislowski was one of six speakers given three minutes to deliver an update on her research
Click here to see the photo report
Science Speed Talks: Liz Czislowski was one of six speakers given three minutes to deliver an update on her research
Click here to see the photo report
"Innovation is a perennial issue across any industry, and we just want to make Congress is about looking to the future and looking at new ways to do things," Event Chairman Ben Franklin said. "With sustainability there is three aspects to that; financial, environmental and disease and pest pressure. We have things we use in the short term to deal with them, but what can we do in the future. We tried to get a mix of motivational speakers who can provide a rev-up for participants and then the more technical side of things with international scientists."
Paul Meredith and Anthony Brick from AustSafe Super
Paul Meredith and Anthony Brick from AustSafe Super
Organisers had been a little worried that conditions over the past 6-12 months, which saw an oversupply, poor market conditions and a downturn in profits could have kept people away, but were surprised to be proven wrong. The ball was held on Friday night, after a tour of Sydney retail markets, and cooking demonstration.
Feedback from this Congress will be used to begin planning for the next event in 2019.