The Agribusiness Association of Australia
Corporate Profile.

The Association Committee

Our Aim

The Agribusiness Association of Australia aims to facilitate communication across the agri-food chain and to promote the contribution made by agribusiness to the Australian economy and community.

The Association promotes the core values of openness and transparency in communication and the Association’s activities promote value chain thinking and awareness as essential factors in the development of an efficient, profitable and dynamic agri-food sector.

Our Role.

The Association acts as a conduit for communication and co-operation across all sectors of the value chain. The Association works to raise knowledge of issues effecting the development of an efficient and competitive agri-food value chain.

The Agribusiness Association is not an industry representation body and does not seek to influence the political process. Where applicable, the Association acts as a credible source of information or commentary on issues that effect all sectors of the value chain.

Association Structure.

The Agribusiness Association of Australia is an association incorporated in Victoria. A Council of up to 10 individual professionals from agribusiness is elected by members – including a President, Vice and Treasurer.

The Association currently employs a full time Executive Director who reports directly and regularly to an Executive Committee of the Association Council, consisting of the President, Vice and Treasurer.

Governance.

The Association complies with the relevant legislative requirements relating to financial control and auditing. Annual meetings are generally held in conjunction with an annual congress / conference.

Members

Members of the Agribusiness Association of Australia are professionals drawn from all sectors of the agri-food value chain – private industry, government, industry representation and education.

Communication

The Association is primarily an E-association, having developed a highly successful web site Agri-food - Agribusiness OnLine www.agrifood.info. As part of the ‘public’ communication role of the Association, regular articles and opinion pieces are contributed to journals and magazines. The Association is regularly consulted by the electronic media for comment on industry developments, across a diverse range of issues. The Association also contributes to consultative committees and the development of seminar / conference programs.

World Wide Web

Agribusiness On-Line provides a source of information that can be used to improve domestic and international competitiveness and encourage innovation in all areas of agribusiness.

Since its launch in December 1997, Agribusiness On-Line has attracted a cumulative average of 500 individual users per day, or in excess of 700 000 users over 4 years (which is close to 82 000 hours of web time).

Our online activities aim to promote awareness of the inter-relationships that form the agri-food chain - from the producer to the consumer.

Our web strategy provides a cost effective communication conduit servicing the interests of members, our corporate sponsors and the agri-food sector in general.

The Association uses the web and e-mail for delivery of weekly reports and for membership newsletters, as well as the distribution of third party information that is of relevance or interest to members. For members who don’t have e-mail, fax is used to distribute information.

Publishing

The Agribusiness Association of Australia is a pioneer in web publishing, switching the Australian Agribusiness Review (AAR) from printed to web format over 4 years ago. The switch, which coincided with the launch of a new journal Agribusiness Perspectives, has enabled the Association’s publishing activities to be accessed by a global audience.

The Association recently expanded its Editorial Board to include several of the worlds leading agri-food chain researchers and teachers.

We have also entered into a strategic partnership with the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES) to develop and publish a specialist publication examining economic and resource use issues in the agri-food sector titled Connections.

Personal Communication

In addition to regular direct electronic communication, the Association facilitates face-to-face communication and networking by organising forums, seminars and conferences.

Because of the wide range of issues that effect the agri-food value chain, it is not always possible to cover all issues with events, however these are usually covered by commentary or publishing initiatives.

Planned activities for 2002 include –

·         A series of agri-forums and a conference on the day of the Rabobank Monash University Agribusiness Awards.

·         Cooperation with Monash University in the development and execution of the annual Cooperative Directors seminar.

·         At least one event in major capital cities held in conjunction with Association corporate partners.

·         Other events as opportunities arise on a range of issues.

Proceedings of forums and seminars are available in the Presentations section of Agribusiness On-Line.

Strategic Alliances

The Association has recently signed a Cooperative Alliance agreement with the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES). This agreement allows for join development of events, publishing and web based activities and covers approximately 1100 individuals.

This strategic alliance will increase networking opportunities and provide greater value to Association members and corporate partners.

Annual Conferences

Past conference activities include –

2002 – Economic Prospects for the Agribusiness Sector
Including presentations from all major agribusiness sectors – providing an economic window on the mid term prospects for the sector in Australia
Sydney November 12 and 13
Attended by 145 delegates.

2001 – Innovation, Capital and Consumers – Integrity The Weakest Link In The Global Food Chain?
Covering; market differentiation, business ethics, globalisation, integration and the food chain.
Sydney June 25 – 27 -
Attended by 280 delegates.

2000 – Profitability, Innovation, Trade and The Information Revolution.
 Exploring Australia’s’ research and development record, innovation financing, the impact of innovation and R&D on our trade and economic prospects and managing information in the IT age.
Melbourne August 16 & 17 -
Attended by 240 delegates.

1999 - An Agribusiness Revolution – Biotechnology in Our Food Chain
Focusing on the emerging impact of agri-biotechnology on supply chains, impact on risk management, corporate ethics and communication with consumers.
Melbourne September 8 & 9 -
Attended by 260 delegates.

1998 - Consumers, Commerce & Capital - Agribusiness Realities.
Featuring presentations on value chain integration, leadership, education and investment.
Albury NSW July 21 & 22.  -
Attended by 230 delegates.

Finances.

The Association relies on membership subscriptions and support from corporate partners for operating expenditure.

The Association audit is conducted by Spencer & Co