Tuesday 16 June 2026 | Morphettville Racecourse
The Industry is Changing.
Be ready for it.
In fast-changing global times, staying ahead matters more than ever.
Rising costs, shifting consumer expectations, workforce challenges, sustainability pressures, emerging technologies and AI are reshaping the future of food and beverage.
Do you know what you need to survive and thrive?
The Future of Food + Drink Summit is the must-attend event for South Australia’s food and beverage industry — designed to help producers, manufacturers and industry partners stay informed, connected and ahead of what’s next.
Through keynote presentations, panel discussions and targeted breakout sessions, gain practical insights into the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of our sector — and what your business needs to do to stay competitive.
A full day dedicated to what’s next — and how you respond.
Why Attend?
+Stay ahead of industry trends and market shifts
+Gain practical insights to help future-proof your business
+Hear from leading experts and future-focused thinkers
+Explore key topics including innovation, sustainability, workforce, technology, exports and growth
+Connect with industry peers, government and sector leaders.
EVENT INFORMATION
Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Location: Morphettville Racecourse
Time:
Registration opens: 7.30am
Full day program: 8.30am - 5.00pm
End of day networking drinks: 5.00pm-6.00pm
Panel Discussions
+
AI in Food and Beverage
+
Breakout Sessions
+
Future of Food and Beverage
+
Panel Discussions + AI in Food and Beverage + Breakout Sessions + Future of Food and Beverage +
summit PROGRAM
Tuesday, 16 June
Meet the Speakers & Panellists
-
UNCLE MICKEY KUMATPI MARRUTYA O'BRIEN
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
-
Lucy Cornes
MC
-
Tony Hunter
FOOD FUTURIST
Keynote Speaker -
Tori Dixon-Whittle
CEO
FOOD SOUTH AUSTRALIA -
NICK THOMAS
CSO
THOMAS FOODS INTERATIONAL
Panellist -
ALISON MILISITS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
VILI’S FAMILY BAKERYPanellist
-
BILLY BARBA
CEO & MANAGING DIRECTOR
MINUS ONE REFRIDGERATED TRANSPORTPanellist
-
KRISTEN ECKHARDT
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
BRAND SOUTH AUSTRALIASpeaker
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Professor Kannan Govindan
DIRECTOR
ADELAIDE UNIVERSITYSpeaker
-
Kat Heinrich
DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
RAWTEC
Speaker -
Gavin Robertson
EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF
ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE
Speaker -
John Mannion
CEO
BREAKTHROUGH MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Speaker -
CLARE SCRIVEN
MINISTER FOR PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Breakout Session Speaker
-
Catherine Sayer
CEO
FAMILY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Breakout Session Speaker -
Melissa Barclay
FOOD TECHNOLOGIST
FOOD SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Breakout Session Speaker -
Karen Ferres
DIRECTOR, FOOD SAFETY & REGULATION
SA HEALTHBreakout Session Speaker
-
Partik Surana
PACKAGING CONSULTANT
BIG PICTURE PACKAGINGBreakout Session Speaker
-
DANIELLE WATTS
GENREAL MANAGER MARKETING
FOODLAND SUPERMARKETBreakout Session Speaker
-
Prof. Wolfgang Mayer
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & ACADEMIC LEAD
UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE
Keynote Speaker -
Ashleigh Greaves
AI CONSULTANT AND FOUNDER
SIMPLEFY.AI
Keynote Speaker -
JOEL ANDRADE
PHD CANDIDATE
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLANDKeynote Speaker
-
George Kotses
OPERATIONS MANAGER
BICKFORD’S AUSTRALIAPanellist
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Dimi Kyriazis
MANAGING DIRECTOR
GOLDEN NORTHPanellist
-
George Ujvary
CEO
OLGA’S FINE FOODSPanellist
-
Charlotte Chambers
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
MUMAMOOPanellist
-
Cath Hosking
FOUNDER
VEGHEADPanellist
Keynote Speaker
Tony Hunter, Food Futurist
The voice shaping how global food industry leaders think about tomorrow.
Tony is a Food Futurist, Author, Food Scientist and Strategic Foresight Consultant specialising in the Future of Food, Agriculture, Health and Wellness.
Having spoken on four continents he appears regularly in print, podcasts, TV and radio globally as an expert on the Future of Food. He consults to companies including PepsiCo, KFC, VCs and consultants like Accenture on the impact of food technology and consumer trends.
He delivers a unique perspective on the Future of Food, Health and Wellness using his distinctive combination of scientific and business experience.
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who spends every day thinking about the future of your industry.
Program Highlights
Keynote Session - The Future of Food
1
Where the global food industry is heading - and what your business needs to stay ahead of it. Understand the consumer trends, demand shifts, and future markets shaping your next move - and how to get ahead of them before your competitors do.
Candid conversations with industry leaders on the pressures facing industry today, the journey of embracing change along with navigating industry challenges.
2
Expert Panel Discussions
future Opportunities
3
Across Collaborative Manufacturing, Sustainability, Foodservice and People & Culture.
Keynote Session - AI
4
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping how food and beverage businesses operate, but where does it truly deliver value? Our keynote speakers dive deeper into this important topic.
Breakout Sessions on succession planning, marketing strategy and product development - focused sessions aligned to industry needs.
5
Targeted Breakout Sessions
Four dedicated connections points built into the day - morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and end-of-day drinks, because the conversations between sessions matter as much as the sessions themselves.
6
Networking
What you’ll walk away with
+
Practical insights you can apply immediately.
Not theory - real strategies and approaches that translate back to your business the next day.
+
A clearer view of where the industry is heading.
Understand the forces reshaping your sector - and what they mean for your decisions in the next 12 to 36 months.
+
New connections across the sector.
Meet producers, buyers, researchers, government representatives and decision-makers in a setting built for meaningful conversation.
+
Ideas to fuel growth and better decisions.
Leave with frameworks, case studies and perspectives that sharpen how you think about growth, risk and opportunity.
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Conversations that continue beyond the room.
The relationships you build here don’t stop when the event ends - this is where long-term collaborations begin.
The people in this room will define what the next decade looks like for our industry. Make sure you are one of them.
Built For the Whole Sector
South Australia’s food and beverage community and the people who influence it - all in one place.
+Food and Beverage Manufacturers & Processors
+Growers & Producers
+Industry Service Providers
+Distributors & Retailers
+Industry Associations
+Government & Policymakers
+Academia & Researchers
+Investors
+Students
+Industry Supporters
+Media