Leading industry organisations have come together to support the 2023 Rural Leaders Agribusiness Summit and its bold aim to promote global vision, leadership and innovation.
The growing list of support for this fast-paced, one-day industry forum includes Platinum Sponsors Fonterra and CLAAS, and Gold Sponsors AGMARDT, FMG and MPI.
“CLAAS welcomes and supports this important forum for sector professionals to share local and international knowledge on food and forage production solutions”, says Richard Wilson, Landpower Group Chief Executive Officer.
“Partnering with the Summit was a natural fit for us as we recognise that, alongside outstanding innovations in agricultural engineering, most important to us are our relationships with our customers and suppliers, developed over many years. We learn from each other and our customers. We are focused on gearing up our farmers to succeed”, says Richard Wilson.
Coming at a time when the fast-changing food and fibre sector is under increased pressure to adapt, the Summit will deliver an informative, inspiring and innovative day with practical and successful solutions to some of our toughest challenges.
Demonstrating the solutions shown to mitigate some of these challenges, the Summit, themed ‘Forefront’, will move past disruption, with local and global speakers, panellists, and delegates collaborating to discuss and debate the most topical agribusiness challenges globally and locally.
“As a Co-operative, it’s in our DNA to collaborate. We believe that by working with others we can overcome the toughest challenges our industry faces while maximising the opportunities to build more innovative and resilient businesses that contribute positively to society”, states Anna Taylor, Regional Manager, Fonterra.
“That’s what this event is all about. It provides a unique opportunity for the brightest minds in agribusiness to come together and share local and international case studies as well as brainstorm practical ideas for the future”, adds Anna Taylor.
While the one-day Summit stands on its own, it also forms part of the Nuffield Triennial Conference for international and national Nuffield alumni. The Conference is a nine-day agribusiness itinerary of travel through the South Island’s leading food and fibre operations – beginning in Christchurch with the Summit and ending in Queenstown.
Like the Triennial, the Summit seeks to play a key role in connecting sector leaders, producers and professionals with national and international peers.
Hosted by award-winning political journalist Corin Dann, the Summit features a stellar line-up of speakers that includes influential, global communicator and Keynote Speaker Devry Boughner Vorwerk.
Devry will speak on embracing change while balancing shareholder and stakeholder expectations – as well as outlining the mechanisms to succeed where geopolitical volatility, climate change and societal expectations are placing pressure on traditional business models.
The Summit is organised into three speaker streams. They are:
Our World – Our Natural Environment.
Speakers include: Harry Clark, Karin Stark, Tom Sturgess, Volker Knutzsch, followed by a panel including Dr. Solis Norton.
Our People – Consumer Trends and Trade.
Speakers include: Vangelis Vitalis, Lain Jager, Emma Parsons, followed by a panel including Anna Benny.
Our Future – Entrepreneurship and Leadership.
Speakers include: Traci Houpapa, Angus Brown, Mark McLeod-Smith, Dr Ellen Joan Nelson, also followed by a panel.
“While short and faced-paced, the Summit will be a quality-rich day for farmers and producers. It will explore meeting challenges and seeking opportunities for the sector while retaining the gentle balance of farming in a way that nurtures and supports the environment and remains profitable,” adds Richard Wilson.
Forefront is open to food and fibre sector professionals, producers and the general public. The Summit Dinner, with speaker Te Radar, is selling out fast.
Supported and sponsored by industry.
The 2023 Rural Leaders Agribusiness Summit has been made possible with the generous support of,
Platinum Sponsors – Fonterra and CLAAS.
Gold Sponsors – AGMARDT, FMG, and MPI.
Silver Sponsors – AgriHQ, PGG Wrightson Seeds, Tavendale and Partners, Ravensdown, Bayer, LIC, Ballance, Colliers, Cardrona Distillery, and MyFarm.
Bronze Sponsors – Barenbrug, Manawa Energy, Asure Quality, Pioneer, Ford Macauley, and OSPRI.
For more information on the 2023 Rural Leaders Agribusiness Summit visit, https://ruralleaders.co.nz/forefront/
Media Contact – Matt Hampton, Marketing and Communications Manager, The New Zealand Rural Leadership Trust, 0274 171 065, matthampton@ruralleaders.co.nzplayers
