Organisers say a combination of a new format and its Leaders’ Forum, with an exciting speaker line-up, is seeing ticket sales for the Auspack 2022 Leaders’ Forum proving popular.
Early bird tickets are available until 15 April, after which tickets will be full price.
Mark Dingley, chairman of the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association, which owns Auspack, says, “We changed the format quite a bit, and I think this has also encouraged ticket sales.
“This year, we’ve deliberately created three breaks during both days, from one to 1.5 hours. As a result, people can network with others at the forum. Also, it gives them time to visit the exhibition floor and not rush. In this way, they can spend time talking properly to companies whose products, solutions or services they’re interested in. They will get full value out of their visit to Auspack 2022.
“It also means that if exhibitors are interested in the Leaders’ Forum, they can attend the sessions of their choice, and still have time to be on their own stand.”
High-level start
Rose Herceg, president of WPP Australia and New Zealand, will talk about the 10 trends that businesses need to know for 2022 and beyond.
Mark says, “Rose is one of Australia’s leading social forecasters and futurists and the author of three books on business leadership and innovation. She is a powerhouse presenter, and this is a fantastic, high level way to begin the Auspack 2022 Leaders’ Forum.”
He says that delegates can start the first day at the CEO Leaders’ Panel Breakfast for a discussion on “Where are we at, and what’s next?”. Nicholas White, chief executive of Flavour Makers, will lead the panel of business leaders as they share their experiences and insights. This in-depth discussion will cover future strategy for the industry, looking at critical steps for the next normal and the role of technology in transforming businesses and growth opportunities.
An international keynote presentation on sustainability innovation will precede a panel discussion on ‘Future packaging, recycling & the circular economy’. Brooke Donnelly, chief executive of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, will lead this panel discussion. It will include TerraCycle’s Jean Baillard; Mondelez International’s Paul Chatfield; and Amcor’s director of Sustainability, Richard Smith. These leaders will talk about the packaging industry’s responsibility when it comes to waste, practical design steps that businesses can take to move to a circular economy, growth and collaboration opportunities, and how to change consumer behaviour through packaging recycling messaging.
Controlling technology
Mark continues, “The first afternoon is all about technology, with a keynote presentation from Christian Ruberg, the Future Digital Manufacturing Lead with CSIRO, talking about Industry 4.0, followed by a panel discussion on Industry 4.0, 5.0 and the future of technology.
“We hear a lot about ‘Industry 4.0’ and I think many manufacturers will be interested to hear his comments, because while some Australian SME’s have Industry 3.0 well under control, 4.0 is more challenging and really, not many businesses have actually fully achieved it. So Christian will cover insights in the Industry 4.0 ‘toolbox’ to build competitive advantage, for manufacturers across the board.”
“Christian will then be part of a panel discussion with Allan Frydman, founder and managing director of DC Works, and Simon Dawson, director – Industrial Transformation with IMCRC. This trio will talk about lights-out business processes, highly automated manufacturing and self-managed supply chains as future realities, covering roadblocks in adopting 4.0, overcoming them and then looking towards Industry 5.0.
Infrastructure investment
“Another highly interesting panel discussion, this time about how can manufacturers get a seat at the table as part of Australia’s infrastructure investment explosion, rounds out Day One, led by Emma Greenhatch, CEO, Agribusiness Food Network and Director – Turbine Sunshine Coast.
“Emma, the 2021 Outstanding Sunshine Coast Business Woman of the Year, is well known for being a translator of ideas into strategies and actions that deliver sustainable outcomes. This is such a timely session on finding and optimising opportunities for the processing, packaging and manufacturing industries, including creating a coalition with other manufacturers, in light of the Australian Government’s $4 billion infrastructure stimulus package to help support the national economy after Covid-19.
“At 4:30, we’ll then stop for a networking session we’re calling ‘Cocktails and Contacts’, which will be a fantastic way to round out day one.”
Day Two
Day two of the forum includes a raft of top speakers. Mark says, “We’re very proud of this wonderful line-up of international and domestic speakers.
“As well, the new-format Auspack 2022 Leaders’ Forum offers opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge from other business leaders, and the interactive breaks will allow visitors to ‘get other things done’ out on the show floor to maximise their Auspack 2022 visit.”
Auspack 2022 takes place Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 17-20. Tickets to the exhibition are free and early bird tickets to the Auspack 2022 Leaders’ Forum (18-19 May) are on sale until 15 April.
Learn more about Auspack 2022
