RECORD BREAKING IA CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
08 Jun 2016
This year’s Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition was attended by more exhibitors and visitors than ever before, breaking records for attendance and making it an unqualified success.
Visitors to Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition in Melbourne were presented with the latest showcase of international and national innovations, the most exhibitors and the biggest educational program in three decades.
Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition along with the co-located AgriTech Australia attracted more than 140 exhibiting companies, 100 speakers and over 3500 industry professionals attending the event.
Feedback to organisers Exhibitions and Trade Fairs has been great, with visitors gaining new insight, information and techniques imperative for the growth of their businesses, and exhibitors very happy with quality of attendees and amount of business generated.
This year's conference was defined by the theme Irrigation for Prosperity and Wellbeing Keynote speakers included Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources; John Elliott, Australian Businessman, Former President of the Liberal Party and Former President of Carlton Football Club; and Graham Hawke, Deputy Director, Environment and Research Division, Bureau Of Meteorology.
"The Australian Government has placed a huge priority on water. We see water as a fundamental resource for our economy. Irrigation in the southern part of Australia is a vital pillar for the Australian agricultural landscape" said Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources in her Keynote address.
"We are transitioning out of an economy that was reliant on mining into an economy of the future, an economy of innovation. We now as a Government have decided to focus on becoming the smartest, brightest and most innovative in the world. And your industry is a classic example of an industry transitioning into a new smart industry.”
“We need to look at the irrigation industry today and realise it is embracing technology; We are an industry of the future" Ms Ruston continued.
Throughout this year's events, exhibitors made contact with existing and new customers from across the spectrum of Australia's irrigation industry.
Among them was Rod Best, Sales Manager at Isuzu Engines.
"I have attended numerous events over the past 2 years and this without a doubt has been a stand out event. From our perspective it was an awesome event with good foot traffic across the 3 days and a high level of interest, not to mention numerous irrigation industry contacts, ” said Mr Best.
Rick Smythe, Director, Player Proximity Systems also commented, “I was extremely impressed with the calibre of interest and with winning the Best New Product Award. The quantity and quality of attendees in our specific industry and associated industries were very good.”
Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition Director, Luke Kasprzak said the conference and exhibition is the premier event of the irrigation industry and the only one that brings together all levels of irrigation across the entire value chain.
"The Australian Irrigation Industry, when compared to the rest of the world has strength and there are many opportunities, in particular within agriculture,” Mr Kasprzak said. “With overwhelming positive feedback, this event provided the tools, knowledge and techniques to realise these opportunities and make sure their businesses are fit for such”.
"There was a real buzz across Irrigation Australia International Conference and Exhibition, which I am sure will translate into real opportunities in times ahead. This was certainly an event that will be remembered not only for its size but its quality. The value of face-to-face networking is invaluable and the level of optimism by both exhibitors and visitors was the highest it has been in years.”
“We received positive feedback this year and we have already received a large number of expressions of interest to exhibit at the next show, ” Mr Kasprzak concluded.
Exhibitions and Trade Fairs has confirmed the show will return in 2018. Dates and location to be announced soon. The show will be once again co-located with Agritech Australia.
For more information about participating in either Irrigation Australia International Exhibition or AgriTech Australia contact Andew Orr at aorr@etf.com.au or visit www.irrigationaustalia.com.au