Wednesday 26 February 2025

6:30 pm

Welcome Function

Join us on the lawn at Pacific Bay Resort for a casual evening of festivities, showcasing local produce and beverages.

Day 1: Thursday 27 February 2025

8:30 am

Registration / Coffee / Tea

9:00 am

Welcome

Introduction | Kim Berry (MC), Food & Drink Business

Welcome to Country

Chair Address Fiona Simson, FFS

CEO Welcome | Dr James Krahe, FFS

9:45 am

Collaboration: It takes a village (keynotes)

The Power of Connection | Dr Lou Conway, UNE SMART Region Incubator

10:30 am

Morning tea

11:00 am

Partnerships: A systems approach (panel)

Representatives from clusters, co-operatives, and governing bodies come together to explore the benefits and opportunities of a systems-based approach in addressing challenges and driving innovation in the agrifood sector.

Dr James Krahe (Chair), FFS

Nicole McNaughton, Food and Agribusiness Network

Shaun Tholen, Oz Group Co-op

11:45 am

Value-adding: Unlocking nutrition in food (keynotes)

Dr Ruey-Leng Loo, Australian National Phenome Centre

Tim Cassettari, FOODiQ Global

1:00 pm

Lunch

2:00 pm

Manufacturing: Boosting agribusiness (panel)

Exploring the economic gains, community impact, and highlighting how local manufacturing can drive regional development and innovation.

Peter Schutz (Chair), FFS

3:00 pm

Afternoon tea

3:30 pm

Automation: Benefits and upskilling (keynotes)

Dr Chris Lehnert, Queensland University of Technology

4:15 pm

Agritech: Simplifying tasks (panel)

Exploring the economic gains, community impact, and highlighting how local manufacturing can drive regional development and innovation.

Bob Mullins (Chair), FFS

Wayne Ford, Vertical Patch

Dr Chris Lehnert, Queensland University of Technology

5:15 pm

Summit close: Day 1

7:00 pm

Gala Dinner

Enjoy culinary delights at our Gala Dinner with the menu curated by popular chef and restaurateur, Mindy Woods

Day 2: Friday 28 February 2025

9:00 am

Coffee / Tea

9:30 pm

Future food: Possibilities and reality (keynotes)

Mindy Woods, Chef, Restaurateur and Author

Dr Flávia Fayet-Moore, FOODiQ Global

10:30 am

Morning tea

11:00 am

Future menu: It’s happening now (panel)

From insect proteins to animal-free fats, panellists will share their personal experiences in creating innovative product formulations along with the opportunities and challenges in catering to a diverse range of consumers.

Dr Flávia Fayet-Moore, FOODiQ Global

12:00 pm

Ecosystems: Clusters and precincts (keynotes)

Dr Jack Adams, Queensland University of Technology

Nicole McNaughton, Food and Agribusiness Network

1:00 pm

Lunch

2:00 pm

Native foods: It takes a nation (panel)

This panel will explore how we can work together to protect and uplift First Nations communities, ensuring their vital involvement in the growing native food industry.

3:00 pm

Summit close: Day 2

4:00 pm

Post-event drinks

Program and speakers are subject to change.

FFS = Future Food Systems

CSIRO = Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

DPIRD = Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA)

QUT = Queensland University of Technology

UNSW = University of New South Wales

WSU = Western Sydney University

Program and speakers are subject to change.

FFS = Future Food Systems

CSIRO = Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation

DPIRD = Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA)

QUT = Queensland University of Technology

UNSW = University of New South Wales

WSU = Western Sydney University