FORMER Federal Treasurer and Australian Ambassador to the United States, Joe Hockey, will share his experiences working with US President-elect Donald Trump when he kicks-off the 2025 AMIC Meat Processing and Export Conference on the Gold Coast next March.

Known for negotiating significant wins on issues such as tariff and quota exemptions during President-elect Donald Trump’s first term in office, Mr Hockey’s insights will paint a picture of what Australia can expect from its relationship with the US.

This will help set the scene for next March’s conference trade and market access talks.

Hosted by the Australian Meat Industry Council, the biennial Meat Processing and Export Conference will next be held at its spiritual home at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast on March 12-13.

Registrations are now open.

The previous conference held in November last year was the first after an eight-year hiatus.

AMIC chairman Tom Maguire said next March’s conference was ideal timing for Mr Hockey to address a gathering of the global red meat sector, agricultural businesses, Australian manufacturers and processors.

“Joe has a wealth of experience and knowledge he can draw on to help our industry navigate the times ahead,” Mr Maguire said.

“His first-hand experience during the first Trump administration is particularly pertinent, but his familiarity with the machinations in Washington as well as his role as a former Australian Treasurer make him a fantastic drawcard for this premier event hosted by Australia’s largest agricultural export sector,” he said.

AMIC has focussed on making the conference an ideal opportunity to showcase the value of the red meat processor and export sector and also explore what lies ahead for the industry.

In addition to Joe Hockey’s theme around navigating US-Australia trade relations, other conference themes will include:

The Global Meat Business Landscape

This session will seek to understand the changing global trade environment and how it affects Australian meat processors and exporters. It will address the growing demand for sustainability credentials in EU and Asian markets, while offering solutions for aligning with international expectations. Panelists will discuss and explore how to navigate evolving traditional trade patterns and prepare for the future.

Sustainability and Market Access

This session will explore the future of meat trade and sustainability, tapping into global experts on how Australia can adapt to emerging supply chain strategies and embrace the next wave of sustainable practices. It will provide a roadmap for positioning Australian meat as a preferred choice in international markets and forecast potential disruptors.

Manufacturing Resilience and Innovation

What does the future of meat manufacturing look like? This session will tackle the challenges and opportunities coming at the industry – energy transitions, regional security, and climate resilience. It will delve into the latest research and development and learn how the sector is on the brink of cutting-edge advancements.

Animal Welfare and Ethical Practices

Animal welfare is a top priority for the red meat sector with the community and consumers rightfully keeping this issue front-and-centre. A panel discussion will examine the role of AI, technology, and proactive welfare strategies in ensuring ethical and humane practices in meat processing. Industry leaders will discuss how businesses can stay at the forefront of welfare innovation and outcomes.

Each session will include panel discussions, expert presentations and engaging debate, with a focus on pressing issues, emerging trends, and innovative solutions set to challenge and expand the meat processing and meat export industries. The full program and speaker profiles will be released in coming weeks.

Next March’s conference will appeal to processing industry senior executives, operations managers, QA teams, HR and marketing professionals as well as livestock teams.

Content will be designed to cater to processors large and small, eager to share knowledge and gain insights to drive efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.

Others who will benefit from attendance include exporters and international red meat stakeholders, domestic wholesalers and supermarkets, government representatives, industry associations and advocacy groups, technology and innovation service providers, energy and infrastructure providers, commodity traders and wholesalers.

• Conference registration and details: Click here