Animal handling expert Temple Grandin

AMERICAN animal scientist and autism advocate Dr Temple Grandin heads up the speakers at the Meat Business Women Conference in Sydney on Wednesday 26 October.

The conference’s theme is ‘Reconnect’ and it will be facilitated by former Olympian Giaan Rooney.

Delegates will also hear from Australian Women in Agriculture president Natalie Sommerville, 2022 SA AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award winner Robyn Verrall, Coles’ head of strategy and transformation Harriet Mellish, NSW Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders, MBW founder and global chair Laura Ryan, and other industry speakers and panellists.

The biannual conference took a three-year hiatus due to COVID and returns hosted by the Australian Meat Industry Council as the Australian territory partner.

MBW Australia chair, Stacey McKenna said delegates are looking forward to being able to come together again for an Australian conference.

“Women and men from all aspects of the meat industry, from producers, processors, manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers, retailers, food service – anyone who is affiliated with the meat industry is welcome,” she said.

“Meat Business Women events aim to provide its members and delegates with networking opportunities and access to useful information that they can use in their personal and professional life, help them navigate the challenges they may come across, and accelerate their career path within their chosen industry, even aligning mentors and mentees through the mentorship program.

“We hope to see a great turnout from the across the industry in Sydney this month.”

An industry panel session will include panellists talking about the challenges they faced at different stages of their career and giving delegates insights, tips and generating discussion.

The conference program also includes facilitated networking sessions throughout the day, followed by a cocktail reception, allowing delegates to connect with new and existing contacts across the meat supply chain.

Meat Business Women was founded in 2015 and is the United Nation’s recognised global professional network for women working across the meat industry. It was created to improve the sustainability of the meat sector and grow the pipeline of female talent in the male-dominated arena.

Meat Business Women has the strategic backing of major meat processors including ABP Ireland, Cranswick Plc, Pilgrim’s UK, Moy Park, Dunbia, ABP UK, Linden Foods, Hilton Plc, OSI, Kepak, 2SFG, Morrisons, JBS, Coles, Cargill, Coveris, Avara, Kerry and KP; and Australian country members, Sheep Producers Australia and Australian Pork Limited.

Click here for further information and the conference program.