FROM THE EXECUTIVE
The ABA is in the process of upgrading its budwood facilities and program to build further confidence and trust within the supply chain, and ensure the program maximises the chances of new trees being propagated from independently verifiable virus-free material.
Day one will conclude with the graduation ceremony for our leadership program, followed by the ABA’ s Annual General Meeting and a cocktail evening in the trade exhibit area to welcome delegates to the big event. We plan to recognise the deeds of former ABA CEO Julie Bird, who will be stepping down as chair of Hort Innovation, and for the first time the chair of the National Farmers Federation, Hamish McIntyre, will also be attending. The following two days are full of a wide range of presentations and social events. The Gala Dinner is already heavily booked and registrations are on track to hit a new attendance mark for the event.
We will be inducting two long serving stakeholders into the Almond Industry Hall of Fame and also recognising the Outstanding Service to Industry delivered by noted soil agronomist Trevor Sluggett over more than 30 years. Turn to page 10 for further information about the conference. Visit www. almondboard. org. au / events to register if you haven’ t already.
Annual meeting
The Almond Board of Australia’ s annual general meeting will be held at the biennial conference at 4.45pm in the main presentation hall at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Nominations for the board are open until September 15. Chair Alan Hoppe will provide an overview of the year’ s activities and the outcome of a strategic planning process and a subsequent independent review of the board structure. Given the growth of the industry, it has been timely to assess the board’ s purpose and model to ensure it is properly resourced to meet the expectations of its members. As part of this process the board is considering changing the name from Voluntary Marketing Levy to Voluntary Industry Levy in recognition that the new Almond industry Strategic Plan has new pillars of focus that include areas of vital importance that underpin the whole industry. The AGM will be followed by the traditional welcome drinks on the Trade Exhibit floor.
industry. australianalmonds. com. au
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