What was it all about?

Running over three years, this project was responsible for facilitating two annual industry roundtables that created the opportunity for industry’s principal business owners and leading decision makers to meet face-to-face.

This structure helped create an environment where thinking and discussion could be focused at seizing opportunities, developing high level strategies and designing actions to address the industry’s most pressing opportunities or threats. Furthermore, the format was adopted so geographically dispersed members could gather to contribute their ideas and co-operatively develop creative solutions.

The first roundtable was held in July 2014 at Shepparton, Victoria, and had 24 participants. The participants agreed on a number of priority issues including improvements to InfoPome, development of a variety information matrix, increasing exports and the provision of Aussie Apple quality guidelines.

The second roundtable, in June 2015 on the Gold Coast, Queensland, had 19 participants. The focus there was on the need to bolster exports in the face of declining domestic demand.

The roundtable events showed the industry that business leaders can collaborate for the greater good of the industry, building industry confidence and providing guidance to smaller businesses.