AMIC Conferences
2009 - 2015

More Background On AMICConference.com

AMICConference.com stands as the official archived website documenting the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) Conferences held between 2009 and 2015. This digital repository preserves the history, proceedings, and cultural significance of what was widely regarded as the premier red meat industry conference experience in Australia and an essential fixture on the industry calendar. The website serves as a historical record for an organization that traces its origins back to the early 1900s, with its current structure formed in 2003 through the blending of the Australian Meat Council and National Meat Association.

The site was designed to provide comprehensive information about each annual conference, including speaker presentations, award ceremonies, trade exhibitions, sponsorship details, and social events. Today, it functions as a preserved archive, directing visitors seeking current AMIC information to the organization's active website at www.amic.org.au.

Ownership and Organizational Background

The website was owned and operated by the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC), the peak industry body representing Australia's post-farmgate meat industry. AMIC's mandate covers the entire supply chain from the moment meat leaves the farm gate to its final sale for consumption, encompassing processors, wholesalers, manufacturers, retailers, and smallgoods producers. The organization conservatively estimates representing approximately 50,000 full-time equivalent employees throughout the value chain.

AMIC defines its mission as increasing the profitability of members through advocacy, innovation, and delivery of services, with a vision of creating a profitable and sustainable Australian post-farmgate red meat supply chain valued by the wider community. The organization's core values include integrity, collaboration, influence, excellence, and community. With industry sales topping around $35 billion annually—of which $19 billion represents export and $17 billion domestic—the conferences documented on AMICConference.com addressed matters of substantial economic significance to Australia.

Conference History and Evolution

The AMIC Conferences documented on the website span from 2009 to 2015, with each year featuring distinct themes that reflected the evolving priorities and challenges facing the Australian meat industry.

2009: "An Industry in Transition"

The 2009 conference was held on September 24-25 at the Sheraton Mirage Resort in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland. This event established the pattern of bringing together speakers from North and South America, the EU, Asia, and Australia. The conference drew approximately 300 senior meat industry executives from around the world. Labor Senator for Western Australia Glenn Sterle was invited to open the conference, while Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was invited as a special guest at the conference lunch. Lehman & Associates Events Pty Ltd served as the conference coordinator.

The 2009 program focused on rapid technological change, globalization of trade, and implications for market access over the coming decade. Networking events included a Welcome Party, Gala Dinner, Golf Tournament, and Deep Sea Fishing, establishing the blend of business and social interaction that would characterize future conferences.

2011: "Food Security – Today's Challenge – Tomorrow's Market"

The 2011 conference moved to the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, Queensland, held on August 24-25. Despite a difficult trading environment, the conference received strong support from government and industry. The speaker lineup included high-profile figures such as John Durkan, Director of Merchandise at Coles Group, who presented on "Quality Food Costs Less at Coles"; Richard Raymond, former Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety in the USDA, addressing food safety in North America and what Australia needed to maintain market access; and Julian Cribb, principal of Julian Cribb & Associates, who spoke on "Food Security, Climate Change & Pricing Carbon – What Does It Mean for Agriculture."

2013: "People, Process & Performance"

The 2013 conference, held on September 18-19 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, attracted 340 registrants despite an unsettled trading environment. The keynote speaker was Brady Sidwell from OSI Hong Kong, sponsored by Rabobank, who addressed the opportunities and risks of the Chinese market for Australian beef. Other notable presentations included Grant Healy on building relationships with Chinese business contacts, Ben Nixon from ANZ Bank on Indonesia's beef self-sufficiency ambitions, and Martin Kneebone from Freshlogic, sponsored by MLA, who identified nine key trends shaping meat demand in Australia.

2015: "Securing the Future"

The 2015 conference, held on September 16-17 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, drew approximately 320 attendees. The program featured a significant focus on China, with a dedicated Q&A session involving six industry specialists including Roger Fletcher from Fletcher International, Greg Read from the Department of Agriculture, and Tim Sullivan from Sanger International. The conference also featured presentations on employment trends by Kate Mills, former editor of Business Review Weekly, and energy costs by Roger Horwood from Energetics.

Location and Venue Significance

The conferences were consistently held on Queensland's Gold Coast, a location chosen for its accessibility, conference infrastructure, and appeal to both domestic and international delegates. The RACV Royal Pines Resort in Benowa became the primary venue, offering versatile conference facilities capable of accommodating up to 1,800 delegates, with 15 meeting rooms and over 4,000 square meters of event space. The resort's location, situated midway between the beaches of Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast hinterland rainforest, provided an attractive setting that blended business with leisure.

The resort featured multiple dining options including Kalinda Restaurant, Trattoria Amici, Arakawa for teppanyaki and sushi, and Tees' Clubhouse for casual dining. The venue's 27-hole golf course became an integral part of the conference experience, hosting the annual golf tournament. The 2009 conference at the Sheraton Mirage Resort Surfers Paradise established the Gold Coast as the conference's home, with the move to RACV Royal Pines providing enhanced facilities for the growing event.

Awards and Recognition Programs

A cornerstone of each AMIC Conference was its comprehensive awards program, designed to recognize excellence, leadership, and innovation across the meat industry. These awards carried significant prestige within the sector and highlighted the diverse contributions of individuals and organizations.

The Maersk Distinguished Australian of the Year Award

This premier award recognized outstanding service to the meat industry. In 2015, Steve Martyn, AMIC's National Director-Processing, received this honor for his 40 years of service to the meat industry, 17 of which were with AMC/AMIC. In 2013, Jon Hayes, General Manager of Wodonga Abattoir, was the recipient. The award was sponsored by Maersk Line, one of the world's largest shipping companies, reflecting the critical importance of maritime logistics to the meat export industry.

The Atron Australian Meat Industry Woman in Processing Leadership Award

Introduced in 2015, this inaugural award recognized the significant role women play in the meat processing sector. With nine finalists reflecting the considerable talent already active in the industry, the first winner was Angelique Raspin, Group Quality Assurance Manager for Australian Lamb Company in Colac. This award represented an important step in acknowledging gender diversity within what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry.

Future Leaders Awards

These awards sought to identify the next generation of industry leaders. The 2015 Meat Processors Ltd/MLA Future Leaders Award went to Paul Wallace of NH Foods Australia, who received an all-expenses-paid visit to a key export market to work with Meat & Livestock Australia. In 2013, the AWX/MLA Future Leaders Award recognized Bill Scott and Tim Sullivan. The Cryovac-AMIC Industry Award in 2013 provided $15,000 for Ross Shorrock of Teys Australia to travel and experience the vacuum packaging marketplace of tomorrow.

Industry and Special Recognition Awards

The Intralox Excellence in Industry Award recognized supply chain partners who delivered sustained contributions to the meat industry. In 2015, Brian Carey from Food Processing Equipment received this honor for 30 years of pioneering spirit. In 2013, Barry Harth of G&B Stainless was recognized. The Special Industry Recognition Award honored leaders from outside the processing sector, with Dr. Peter Barnard receiving the 2015 award for 29 years of service through the Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation and MLA. In 2013, Peter White, former CEO of AMH, and Richard Rains, former CEO of Sanger International, received Special Recognition Awards.

Trade Exhibition and Industry Showcase

The trade exhibition component of AMIC Conferences served as a vital marketplace for industry suppliers, technology providers, and service companies. The exhibitions were consistently sold out well in advance, demonstrating strong commercial interest.

In 2015, 27 exhibition booths were filled with companies including CST Wastewater Solutions, Castricum's Meat Training Services, Matthews Australasia, Quantum Power Ltd, SMC Pneumatics, Kentmaster, FoodCap, and Habasit Australia. The trade exhibition functioned as the center of most conference activities, hosting the Welcome Event and serving as the venue for morning, lunch, and afternoon teas.

The 2013 exhibition featured 29 booths with new entrants including Euro Pumps Engineering, Insignia, BASF Australia, Castle Chemicals, Retracom Contracting, MOSCA, Transform Solutions, Labour Solutions TridentGLOBAL, and Fujitsu New Zealand. These exhibitions provided crucial networking opportunities and allowed delegates to explore the latest technologies and services available to the meat processing and export sector.

Sponsorship and Commercial Support

The conferences attracted substantial commercial support, reflecting the industry's economic significance. In 2015, 19 sponsors supported the event, with the Australian Meat Processor Corporation Ltd (AMPC) serving as platinum sponsor. Other main sponsors included Meat Processors Ltd, ANZ, MLA, Visy Board, Orora, and Maersk Line. Additional sponsors encompassed Port of Brisbane, Wiley, Wirra Wirra, the Port of Philadelphia, Intralox, Energetics, Atron Enterprises, Food Processing Equipment, Marfret, and the Agro Merchants Group.

The 2013 conference featured 24 sponsors, with main sponsors including AMPC, AMCOR, ANZ Bank, AWX, Hamburg Süd, MLA, Mediterranean Shipping Co, NAB Agribusiness, Rabobank, and Visy Board. Official sponsors included Bank of Sydney, Cryovac, Food Processing Equipment, Intralox, Jasol Australia, Maersk Line, Marfret, Meltwater, The Mullica Hill Group, NSW Ports, Philadelphia Regional Port, Port of Brisbane, RACV Royal Pines, and Wirra Wirra. Hamburg Süd, Mediterranean Shipping Co, and MLA sponsored the Gala Dinner.

This diverse sponsorship base reflected the broad ecosystem supporting the Australian meat industry, from financial institutions and shipping companies to packaging suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and port authorities.

Programming and Intellectual Content

The conferences featured sophisticated programming addressing the most pressing issues facing the Australian meat industry. Sessions were organized around themes of market access, food safety, international trade, consumer trends, and technological innovation.

International Market Focus

A recurring theme was the importance of export markets, particularly China. The 2013 keynote by Brady Sidwell from OSI Hong Kong, sponsored by Rabobank, provided detailed analysis of the Chinese market, describing beef as "the Cadillac of the protein choices" in China. He noted that Australia already held a top position as a beef supplier, especially with the US and Brazil excluded from the market at that time. The 2015 conference featured an extensive China Q&A session with six industry specialists and a video message from Mr. Li Shuilong, Executive President of the China Meat Association, endorsing the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations.

Domestic Market and Consumer Trends

Martin Kneebone's 2013 presentation, sponsored by MLA, identified nine key trends shaping meat demand in Australia, including the retail supremacy battle between major supermarket chains, increased consumer focus on value following the global financial crisis, growing interest in food provenance, the rise of online food shopping, and the rationalization of the white-table restaurant sector.

Workforce and Employment

The 2015 conference featured Kate Mills, former editor of Business Review Weekly, presenting on changing employment trends in Australia and how the workforce would evolve over the next 30 to 40 years, with significant implications for the meat processing sector. This reflected growing awareness of demographic shifts and the need for workforce planning in the industry.

Food Safety and Regulation

The 2011 conference included presentations by Richard Raymond on food safety in North America and what Australia needed to do to maintain market access, and Greg Read from the Department of Agriculture on new horizons in meat inspection reform. These sessions addressed the regulatory environment that profoundly impacts the industry's ability to operate and export.

Energy and Sustainability

Roger Horwood's 2015 presentation on energy costs and future technology changes addressed the critical issue of operational efficiency in an energy-intensive industry. This aligned with broader industry concerns about sustainability and cost management.

Social and Networking Events

Beyond the formal programming, AMIC Conferences were renowned for their social and networking components, which played a crucial role in building industry relationships and community.

Golf Tournament

The annual golf tournament became a beloved tradition, with shipping industry legend Jim Fitzgerald coordinating the event in 2015. The 2015 winning team included Aaron Squires (Argus), Matthew Langer (Orora), Eric Boxma (Intralox), and James Wardle (Port of Brisbane). Former industry notables Don Ferguson (Smorgon & AMH) and John Runge (Kilcoy Pastoral) also participated. In 2013, the tournament was sponsored by NAB Agribusiness, with winners Peter Fenwick (Visy Board), Andrew Voke (MAREL), Ryan Clarke (EuroPumps Engineering), and Hugh Mackay (Hapag-Lloyd).

Fishing Tournament

The Phil Sadler Trophy fishing tournament, sponsored by AMIC, provided another recreational outlet. In 2015, the judges declared a tie between Brett Slade (Oasis Exports) and Rob Cattley (Fujitsu), with both fish "officially" 16mm long—a humorous reference to the modest catch. In 2013, Michael Bellstedt of Minus 40 won with a 91cm snapper that reportedly caused complications with Jetstar's baggage policies.

Gala Dinners

The Gala Dinners represented the social highlight of each conference. The 2013 dinner, attended by over 320 people and sponsored by Hamburg Süd, Mediterranean Shipping Co, and MLA, featured a gourmet food cooking theme. MLA's Lachlan Bowtell and television personality Anthony Puharich from "Meat the Butcher" oversaw AMIC master chefs competing in a cook-off to create the "Lambada" Burger. The 2015 dinner was also masterfully coordinated by Lachlan Bowtell, who served as Master of Ceremonies for both the conference program and the Gala Dinner.

Charity and Community Engagement

AMIC Conferences consistently demonstrated commitment to social responsibility through charitable initiatives. In 2015, the conference supported two charities: Foodbank Australia, with the announcement of an inaugural sheepmeat program launched by Roger Fletcher and Brian James from Thomas Foods International; and the Jodi Lee Foundation for bowel cancer, a cause passionately supported by Food Processing Equipment. AMIC committed a $300 donation to the Jodi Lee Foundation as a starting point for attendee contributions.

The 2013 conference, in association with the Cancer Council and following an initiative by Tania Carey at Food Processing Equipment, organized a "High Tea" to raise funds for the Cancer Council. Additional collection points, including "Teddy Bear Chefs," resulted in over $7,300 being raised for cancer research. These charitable activities reflected the industry's commitment to giving back to the community and addressing health issues affecting Australians.

Press and Media Coverage

The conferences received substantial media attention, reinforcing their status as significant industry events. ABC Country Hour operated live from the conference in both 2013 and 2015, conducting radio interviews with key industry figures. In 2015, interviews featured David Larkin, Steve Martyn, Ben Thomas (MLA), David McKinna, and Roger Fletcher. In 2013, Brady Sidwell, Russell Smith (Port of Brisbane), David Foote (Australian Country Choice), Steve Kay, and Tom Maguire were interviewed.

Beef Central and Fairfax Rural Media provided extensive reporting from the conferences. The presence of major agricultural media outlets ensured that conference proceedings and industry announcements reached a broad audience of stakeholders, policymakers, and interested observers. This media coverage amplified the conferences' impact beyond the immediate attendees, shaping broader industry discourse and public understanding of meat industry issues.

Audience and Participation

The conferences attracted a diverse and influential audience. In 2009, organizers expected approximately 300 senior meat industry executives from Australia, North America, New Zealand, and Asia. The 2013 conference drew 340 registrants, while 2015 saw approximately 320 attendees.

The attendee profile included representatives from the vast majority of Australian meat processor companies, major shipping companies, freight forwarders, banking institutions, ancillary industry providers, and other stakeholders. Government representatives also featured prominently, with ministers, senators, and department officials participating as speakers and guests. This diverse audience reflected the interconnected nature of the meat supply chain and the broad range of interests invested in the industry's success.

Cultural and Social Significance

AMICConference.com documents events that held profound cultural and social significance for the Australian meat industry. The conferences served as the primary forum where industry leaders could gather to discuss challenges, share innovations, celebrate achievements, and build the relationships necessary for collective action.

The awards programs recognized not just commercial success but service, innovation, and leadership, helping to establish industry standards and inspire future generations. The introduction of the Woman in Processing Leadership Award in 2015 marked an important evolution in industry culture, acknowledging the growing role of women in what had historically been a male-dominated field.

The conferences also facilitated international engagement, particularly with Asian markets. The focus on China and Indonesia reflected Australia's geographic position and economic realities, while the participation of international speakers and delegates fostered global perspectives on local challenges.

The charitable components of the conferences demonstrated the industry's social conscience, connecting commercial success with community responsibility. Support for Foodbank Australia, cancer research, and bowel cancer awareness showed an industry aware of its broader social role.

Legacy and Historical Value

Today, AMICConference.com serves as an important historical resource, preserving the record of an industry navigating profound changes. The site documents an era when the Australian meat industry grappled with globalization, emerging Asian markets, technological transformation, workforce challenges, and sustainability concerns.

The conferences captured on the site occurred during a period of significant industry rationalization. As David Larkin noted in his 2015 address, between 1980 and 2005 more than 90 export abattoirs closed, with only about 15 greenfield sites built in the same period. Despite this consolidation, the industry produced more processed meat products than ever, achieving greater efficiency but at significant social and economic cost.

The website also documents the industry's evolving relationship with government, from invitations to premiers and senators to participate, to frustration with market access negotiations, to the establishment of collaborative committees like the Interdepartmental Committee on Market Access involving DFAT, the Department of Agriculture, and AMIC.

AMICConference.com represents more than a simple archive of conference proceedings; it is a window into the soul of the Australian meat industry during a critical period of transition and growth. The website documents how an industry worth billions of dollars gathered annually to address challenges, celebrate achievements, build relationships, and plan for the future.

From the Sheraton Mirage in 2009 to the RACV Royal Pines in 2015, from "An Industry in Transition" to "Securing the Future," the conferences recorded on this site charted the course of an industry central to Australia's economy and identity. The awards, presentations, exhibitions, social events, and charitable initiatives preserved on AMICConference.com tell the story of an industry that understood its commercial imperatives while remaining committed to its people, its communities, and its future.

For researchers, industry participants, and interested observers, AMICConference.com offers invaluable insights into the issues, personalities, and dynamics that shaped the Australian meat industry during the first half of the 2010s. As the site itself notes, for current AMIC information, visitors should now turn to www.amic.org.au, but the historical record preserved on AMICConference.com remains an essential resource for understanding where the industry has been and how it arrived at its present position.