Issuu

2025 Conference Program

Platinum Sponsor

Session Sponsors

Gala Dinner Sponsors

Exhibitor Stand

2025 Conference

Reimagining an Icon

Thursday 13th February 2025

5.30pm - 7.00pm

Welcome Reception

The Island, Penthouse Ocean View and Terrace

Friday 14th February 2025

8.15am

Doors open

8.30am - 8.45am

Welcome Address

Lyndsey Douglas (MC)

8.45am - 8.48am

Opening Address

Jacqueline Wilson-Smith

ASA Chair

8.48am - 9.00am

ICEBREAKER

Gathering data through Menti

Lyndsey Douglas (MC)

9.00am - 10.00am

INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Conference ProgramWelcome Reception & Day One

2025 Conference

Reimagining an Icon

Session Sponsor

One of America’s largest fairs - attracting almost 1 million visitors annually - on exploring enduring relevance.

“Rooted in Tradition, Growing for the Future: The Enduring Relevance of Agricultural Fairs/Shows in Today’s Marketplace”

Agricultural fairs/shows matter… arguably today more than ever. This interactive presentation will highlight the significance and impact of fairs/shows globally over the last 200 years. We’ll look at the history and traditions we all hold so dear and explore how and why they still matter today. We’ll also discuss how fairs are evolving to meet ever-changing customer demand, while staying true to their agricultural roots. Ray Allison, Chief Development & Strategy Officer, Indiana State Fair

10.00am – 10.15am

SHOWSTOPPERS

Sharing your quick wins at your show! What has an hasn’t worked.

Lyndsey Douglas (MC)

10.15am - 10.30am

Conference Photo

10.30am - 11.00am

Morning Tea

11.00am - 11.45pm

Navigating Insurance in Today’s Evolving Risk Landscape

Session Sponsor

This session will look at the essentials of risk management and explore real-world claims scenarios that highlight the importance of comprehensive coverage. With the rise of emerging risks like cyber threats, we’ll discuss how to stay protected against these evolving dangers and what they mean for your Show. Plus, learn how to interpret a Certificate of Currency and understand the critical elements to look for.

Bronia Henty-Smith, Senior Account Executive, Gallagher Group

11.45am – 12.30pm

QUICK FIRE SESSION

Education activations – practical ideas & easy wins.

Session Sponsor

This panel will provide AgShows organisers with quick, cost-effective strategies to enhance educational engagement at their events. Discover easy-to-implement ideas that highlight agriculture’s educational value across different areas of your show, ensuring impactful learning experiences without breaking the bank. Perfect for all size shows looking to make education a focal point with minimal resources!

Luciano Mesiti, CEO, Primary Industries Education Foundation of Australia (PIEFA)

Katrina Barclay, Executive Officer, Scottish Charity the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Senior Manager, RHASS

Kellie Blinco, Manager, School to Industry Partnership Program, AgForce Queensland

12.30pm - 1.30pm

Lunch

1.30pm - 3.00pm

Breakout Session 1

Emerging Leaders

Unlocking the Leader Within Everyone

This engaging 1.5-hour workshop dives into the core principles of leadership, revealing how anyone can develop and harness their unique leadership abilities. Through practical exercises, insightful discussions, and real-world examples, you’ll gain the tools to inspire, influence, and lead with confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting, this session will empower you to unlock the leader within.

Heather Ellis, Founder and Director, Blue Wren Consulting

1.30pm - 2.15pm

Breakout Session 2

Show Executives

GUEST EXPERIENCE

Creating Unforgettable Show Experiences

In the dynamic landscape of regional events, where resourcing, compliance, and financial pressures overwhelm, organisers are confronted with a multitude of challenges. Amidst this complexity, the importance of creating fresh and unforgettable experiences that resonate with the audience and create a connection often take a backseat. This session, titled “Innovation in event design: creating unforgettable show experiences”, explores the need for shows across regional Australia to continuously innovate and evolve. By intimately understanding audience preferences and staying attuned to macro trends and opportunities, shows can transform mere moments into unforgettable experiences that celebrate the essence of the community and rural Australia.

Linda Tillman, Founder & Trainer, Australian Centre for Regional Events 2.15pm - 3.00pm

Breakout Session 2

Show Executives

Round table mentoring session

In this collaborative ideation session, delegates will work in groups to tackle specific showrelated challenges, each facilitated by a team leader. After a brief introduction, each table will spend 20 minutes brainstorming and developing solutions to their assigned issue, guided by a head facilitator. The team leader will then present their group’s ideas to the larger group in a quick summary. The session will conclude with a brief wrap-up, highlighting common themes and innovative solutions, leaving participants with actionable insights and new connections.

Team Leaders will be allocated to tables closer to the time.

3.00pm - 3.30pm

Afternoon Tea

3.30pm - 4.15pm

Unlocking the Power of AI (*not artificial insemination)

Session Sponsor

Discover how AI can streamline key tasks in the show movement, freeing up your committee to focus on what truly matters. In this session, we’ll use a case study show to break down what AI is and isn’t, and provide simple, practical steps to automate repetitive tasks. Learn how AI tools can help with everything from administrative processes to managing logistics, so your team can dedicate more energy to enhancing the show experience for everyone involved.

Shaun Leisegang, General Manager, Tecala Automation, Data and AI

4.15pm - 4.30pm

Wrap Up & Sharing of Ideas

Lyndsey Douglas (MC)

4.30pm

CONFERENCE DAY ONE CONCLUDES

Conference Program - Day Two Reimagining an Icon 2025 Conference Reimagining an Icon

Saturday 15th February 2025

8.30am - 8.45am

Opening Address

Lyndsey Douglas (MC)

8.45am - 9.45am

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Growing with tradition

Session Sponsor

Growing with tradition. The RM Williams story of being an Australian Icon yet needing to evolve the brand, whilst remaining true to its iconic nature and legacy.

Paul Grosmann, CEO, RM Williams

9.45am - 10.30am

PANEL SESSION

Session Sponsor

Events & Ticketing: It’s Cash, Social Currency & Community all in one!

The events market has been on a roller-coaster of ups and downs from the post COVID boom to the cost of living squeeze This panel brings together the right mix of ticketing and event experts to discuss key trends that are shaping the events landscape, along with new ideas and practical examples for Ag Shows on marketing for more ticket sales and social currency, gate management to maximise revenues, the new world of cyber security and how we proactively manage data risks.

Kristen Goldup, Founder & company Brand Director, Localtix

Ashleigh Edwards, Marketing Manager, Localtix

Matt Hinds, National Events Manager, Localtix

Dave George, Head of Data & Security, Localtix

10.30am - 11.00am

MORNING TEA

11.00 - 11.45am

PANEL SESSION

Session Sponsor

Working with industry to keep the competition tradition alive in an ever changing landscape.

Objective: To discuss how agricultural shows can adapt to meet the needs of both competitors and industries, ensuring these events continue to foster strong traditions while staying relevant.

Key Questions:

• How can agricultural shows better align with industry trends and demands?

• What changes are essential to keep competition sections relevant and thriving?

• How can we preserve the legacy of agricultural shows while innovating for future success?

David Foote, Director, Corporate & Industry Affairs, ACC Group

Angus Blair, CEO, Lawson Grains

Will Roberts, President, World Federation of Merino Breeders Association & RNA Councillor

John Bennett, President, Sydney Royal Easter Show

11.45am - 12.30pm

Why Not For Profits Need to Make A Profit

Session Sponsor

This session will explore why profit is essential for not-for-profits, even within the AgShow Movement, where financial health is critical to fostering community engagement, driving innovation, and meeting evolving stakeholder expectations. Discuss the strategies and approaches that allow not-for-profits to balance purpose with profitability, ensuring their long-term viability and relevance

*A Case Study Panel will be included in at the end of this session.

John Rothwell, Former CEO, Adelaide Royal Show

12.30pm - 1.15pm

LUNCH

1.15pm - 2.15pm

PANEL SESSION

Exploring and Balancing the Purpose of Agricultural Shows for Regional and Rural Industries

Agricultural shows (Agshows) play a crucial role in regional and rural communities, serving multiple purposes from workforce attraction and agri-tourism to agricultural education and fostering community trust. This panel session will delve into the diverse roles that Agshows can fulfill and how they can be balanced to benefit regional and rural industries.

Panelists:

David Jochinke, Chair, National Farmers Federation

Belinda Allitt, COO, AgriFutures

Kate Shilling, Agri-Tourism & Corporate Affairs, Tourism Australia

Daniel Moorfield, CEO, SecondBite

Moderator:

Jac Wilson-Smith, Chair ASA

2.15pm - 3.00pm Session Sponsor

DEBATE

Poor volunteer retention in Agricultural Shows is caused by generational attitudes toward community involvement, not just “differences”

This topic suggests that the decline in volunteer retention at Agricultural Shows is due to younger generations being less willing or motivated to engage in traditional community-based activities compared to older generations. For Team:

David Wilson, President, QLD AgShows

Lachlan Johnson, 2024 National Rural Ambassador

Final Speaker TBC

Against Team:

Reece Jerrett, 2023 National Rural Ambassador

Brooke Beales, CEO, AgShows NSW

Final Speaker TBC

3.00pm - 3.30pm

Interactive Session & Conference Wrap Up

3.30pm - 4.00pm

AFTERNOON TEA

4.00pm