In what organisers hope will be the greatest gathering of the Australian cotton industry and its supply chain, the 2016 Australian Cotton Conference has been launched.
To be held on the Gold Coast from 2-4 August, conference topics and speakers will be organised around the theme “Cotton’s New Frontiers” with an in-depth look at the challenges and future of the industry.
“Whether you’re a grower adopting new technologies, a merchant placing the crop in a notoriously fluctuating market or a retailer looking for new, high performing cotton products, all sectors of the supply chain are problem-solving on a daily basis,” Conference Committee Chairman and cotton grower Stuart Armitage said.
“We need to be identifying the challenges and finding ways to position ourselves for the future, otherwise it’ll be a far tougher road for all of us,” he said.
The Conference will kick off with a high profile, challenging and motivating keynote speaker, followed by three days of expert speakers, panel discussions, practical workshops, trade displays and fun social events to get the industry talking.
“Our volunteer Conference Committee has started work on the program and while we’re in the early stages of planning we’ll definitely be covering topics like the introduction of Bollgard III, new classing methods, branding our product and digital agriculture,” Mr Armitage said.
Past feedback has demonstrated the Cotton Conference is a great place to meet industry peers and friends, test research concepts, network with farmers, hear from the very best speakers and get a sense that you’re part of a much bigger cotton ‘family’.
Mr Armitage said the committee was determined to produce a Conference with ‘something for everyone’, new delegates feel comfortable, families and the next generation are welcome and where the registration investment is well worthwhile.
“When we’re doing it tough with smaller crops and a lot of market and seasonal challenges, the Conference is a great place to get away from the farm or the business and invest in yourself and your staff for a couple of days,” Mr Armitage said.
“The aim is to have delegates travel home with a different outlook, a willingness to keep improving and potentially to move in a different direction than before.
“All of that is made possible by the support of our sponsors and I am pleased to announce we already have major commitments from CRDC, Cotton Seed Distributors, Monsanto and ANZ,” he said.
Conference registrations will open in February, in the meantime to sponsor or book a trade show space please contact the Secretariat on (07) 3848 3823.
