‘One voice, one future’: Brisbane to host peak Australian seafood industry conference in 2022
Seafood Industry Australia (SIA), the national peak-body representing Australia’s commercial fishing industry, along with Tourism Events Queensland and the Brisbane Economic Development Agency have announced the industry’s peak biennial conference, Seafood Directions, will be held in Brisbane from September 13-15, 2022.
“It’s with great pleasure we announce the Seafood Directions Conference 2022 will be held at the Sofitel Brisbane from September 13-15, with the theme ‘One Voice, One Future’,” SIA CEO Veronica Papacosta said.
“As we look towards a new chapter of growth for the industry it is important we have a theme that captures this. ‘One Voice, One Future’ reinforces the unity of the Australian seafood industry and the ties that bind our sub-sectors together. The seafood landscape both domestically and internationally has changed considerably since the conference was last held in 2019, and as an industry we are excited to come together at Seafood Directions 2022 and towards our one future.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said hosting the peak Australian seafood industry conference supports Brisbane’s efforts to create a sustainable food sector.
“With locally sourced food a key industry and growth trade area for Brisbane, it’s fantastic news the city will host the return of Seafood Directions in 2022,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Brisbane is the perfect place to foster innovative and forward-thinking conversations around long-term improvements for the seafood industry.
“Hosting this conference complements the work Brisbane Economic Development Agency is doing to support and accelerate industry growth such as the Future Food Initiative; a program that supports Brisbane’s food and beverage companies, including seafood businesses, build capability, improve readiness, and create connection pathways to new markets, customers and investors – both locally and globally.”
“The Australian seafood industry are world leaders in sustainable, well-managed seafood and it’s important we continue to promote, workshop and drive innovation in the national and international space,” Ms Papacosta said.
“The Seafood Directions conference provides a forum for industry leaders and innovators across aquaculture, wild-catch and post-harvest to join together with scientists, fisheries managers and broader stakeholders to discuss and plan for the future of seafood, showcase best-practice solutions, tech innovations, share knowledge and workshop solutions to tricky, important problems.”
“The Queensland seafood industry looks forward to the conference being hosted here,” Queensland Seafood Marketers Association president Marshall Betzel said.
“We are thrilled to be showcasing our Queensland seafood industry, which is the best of all the states – our use of industry-leading sustainable fishing techniques, value to the national economy, professionalism, and our commitment to supplying some of the finest seafood in the world to local, national and international markets.”
“The Seafood Directions Conference was last held in Melbourne in 2019, however due to COVID-19 the biennial conference was unable to be held in 2021,” Ms Papacosta said.
“The industry is excited to come together in a hopefully face-to-face setting to discuss the topical issues we are facing in our future as one, including international trade and market access, climate change and the move towards net zero emissions, the United Nations Ocean Decade, along with ongoing important topics including social licence, consumer engagement and marketing, safety and mental health.
“It’s important to us the conference is an engaging experience which offers delegates the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions, discussions, networking activities, panel sessions and workshops. In addition, we will be launching an Emerging Leaders ticket for industry participants with less than five years experience in the seafood supply chain. They will have access to special workshops during the conference and attendance support.
“The event will close with the National Seafood Industry Awards dinner which celebrates the contribution of individuals, businesses and organisations to the Australian seafood industry over the last two years. Like the conference, the awards have been on pause since 2019 so we are excited to celebrate the many achievements of industry over this time.”
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Seafood Directions was established in 1999 as a Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) initiative to provide an industry forum for the exchange of ideas. FRDC remains a key funding partner and support agency for Seafood Directions 2022, 2024 and 2026 which will be hosted by Seafood Industry Australia.
The 2022 Seafood Directions Conference is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar; and with support from the Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
For information on conference sponsorship, ticketing or speaker nominations please contact SIA Business and Events Manager Rosie Love on:
M: 0403 615 038
For more information or to organise an interview with SIA CEO Veronica Papacosta please contact SIA communications and public affairs manager Jessica McInerney E: [email protected] M: 0420 695 431
