APAL Industry Forum and Awards for Excellence 2026
About this Event
Registrations are now open for the APAL Industry Forum and APAL Awards for Excellence 2026.
APAL Industry Forum 2026
The APAL Industry Forum - Where Insight Drives Growth - will take place at Zinc in Melbourne on Monday, 27 July 2026, and will be a great opportunity to connect with fellow growers, share insights and reshape the future of our industry, together.
The 2026 APAL Industry Forum will encourage Australia's apple and pear growers to progress their businesses with confidence, efficiency and insight.
Against a backdrop of supermarket pressure, rising input costs, evolving consumer expectations and emerging technologies, the 2026 Industry Forum will deliver practical tools, data-led insights, and expert guidance to help growers strengthen their decision-making and operational performance.
Through global context, retail and negotiation insights, real-world examples of business growth and adaptation, and demonstrations on how AI can influence orchard operations, the Forum will equip growers with the knowledge to make informed, future-ready choices.
A detailed agenda for the Industry Forum 2026 will be released in the coming weeks.
APAL Awards for Excellence 2026
Preceding the Industry Forum, the APAL Awards for Excellence will take place at the Welcome Drinks during the evening of Sunday, 26 July 2026 at Morris House.
The APAL Awards for Excellence recognises the outstanding contributions of those who’ve helped to shape and influence our industry across all areas, from researching and growing through to marketing and exporting.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Event Overview
Sunday, 26 July 2026
APAL Awards for Excellence and Welcome Drinks: 6.00pm – 9.00pm | Morris House – 120 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Monday, 27 July 2026
APAL Industry Forum: 8.30am – 4.00pm | Zinc at Federation Square – Cnr Princes Walk & Russell St Ext, Melbourne CBD 3000
Note: If you would like to attend the APAL Industry Awards and APAL Awards for Excellence, please ensure that you have selected the option to attend both days when purchasing your tickets.
Sessions overview
Simon Kuestenmacher, Director and Co-founder of The Demographics Group, will set the stage with an engaging presentation on how Australia's changing population is reshaping apple and pear demand. Drawing on demographic and consumer trends, Simon will explore how shifts in age, culture and household structure are influencing fresh produce consumption and what these changes mean for the future of our industry.
Dr Kate Burke, strategist and founder of Think Agri, will share practical insights on adaptive planning during uncertain times. Focusing on productivity, profit and people, Kate will provide growers with strategies to make better business decisions and build resilience in an increasingly complex operating environment.
Jeremy Griffith, APAL's General Manager, will provide an update on the state of the Australian apple and pear industry, covering key issues including supply and demand, rising production costs, orchard efficiency, export challenges and the strategic priorities shaping the industry's future.
Neil Rechlin, Director of NextGen Group, will provide a timely overview of Australia's supermarket duopoly, exploring retailer expectations, recent developments in supplier-retailer relationships and what growers should be preparing for over the next 12 months.
Industry experts Trish Henry and Jenny Linsten will present a practical session on the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, helping growers better understand how the Code can support stronger, more transparent relationships with retailers and buyers.
Tom Potter, founder of Eagle Boys Pizza, will share the lessons behind building one of Australia's most successful retail franchise businesses, offering practical insights into leadership, business growth and creating a customer-focused culture.
Following lunch, Lynda Pallone, Head of Marketing at Hort Innovation, will showcase fresh and innovative marketing initiatives helping drive demand for apples and pears, highlighting consumer insights and successful campaigns that are strengthening connections with fruit consumers.
Elliot Jones, General Manager of WA Farm Direct, will explore the remarkable growth of the Bravo® and Soluna™ apple program, sharing insights into brand development, export success and how Australian-bred varieties are creating new opportunities in global markets.
Artificial intelligence will take centre stage in a practical and engaging session led by Sami Mäkeläinen, who will demonstrate how AI can support everyday business decisions, improve productivity and unlock new opportunities for horticultural businesses.
To close the Forum, one of Australia's most recognised comedians, Pete Helliar, will take the stage with a special comedy set guaranteed to entertain and leave attendees smiling after a day of learning, discussion and networking.
Guiding the day as Master of Ceremonies will be award-winning rural journalist and ABC Landline host Pip Courtney, whose extensive experience covering Australian agriculture will help bring the Forum's conversations, insights and speakers together.
Attendees can expect to gain a wealth of knowledge, practical insights and valuable connections to help navigate the opportunities and challenges facing the apple and pear industry in 2026 and beyond.
More Information
Refund policy:
A full refund can be requested up to 1 day before the event.
Contact details:
If you require further assistance or to take advantage of our concierge booking please email [email protected] or phone (03) 9329 3511.
Why attend?
Connect
Meet and catch up in-person with growers, packhouse managers, exporters, marketers, agronomists and researchers.
Engage
Our line-up of speakers will challenge your thinking on how we can operate, deliver quality produce and continue to drive the industry forward.
Network
Numerous opportunities to network and celebrate our industry members with an opportunity for an informal catch-up at our Awards for Excellence and Welcome Drinks on Sunday night, followed by the Industry Forum on Monday.
Stay up to date
Plenty of news you can use: Our agenda will equip you with the technical, commercial and leadership skills necessary to respond to emerging industry trends.
Agenda
How Australia's changing population is reshaping apple and pear demand
Host: Simon Keustenmacher, The Demographics Group
Adaptive planning during uncertain times
Host: Dr Kate Burke, Think Agri
State of the Australian apple and pear industry
Host: Jeremy Griffith, APAL
Australian supermarket duopoly - where are we at?
Host: Neil Rechlin, NextGen Group
Working the Code - Confidence, Clarity and Conversations
Host: Trish Henry, Code Mediator - Woolworths
Fresh Growth: Marketing showcase for Apples & Pears
Host: Lynda Pallone, Hort Innovation
Bravo® & Soluna™: From Success to Scale
Host: Elliot Jones
From Data to Decisions: Unlocking the Power of AI
Host: Sami Makelainen, Transition Level
Closing comedy keynote
Host: Pete Helliar
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 130.00 to AUD 280.00
