Western Australia Market Immersion

Western Australia

Join the New Zealand Delegation for the Western Australia Market Immersion and evokeag 2024 Conference

Join us for an incredible opportunity to explore the world of agritech in Western Australia! Callaghan Innovation proudly presents the Western Australia Market Immersion from Wednesday 14 - Wednesday 21 February, specially crafted for New Zealand agritech businesses, researchers, growers, and other agritech enthusiasts.

This trip is the perfect chance for you to expand your network with industry professionals and gain valuable insights into the Western Australian market.

There are only a limited number of spots on this market immersion, so don't miss this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of agritech and build valuable connections with industry experts!

Read the report

WA Market Immersion Trip Photos

Delegate Profiles

The Asia-Pacific region's premier agrifood tech event AgriFutures evokeᴬᴳ is heading to Perth in 2024. The conference will attract agri-food innovators from around the world such as farmers, processors, innovators, accelerators, start-ups, researchers, universities, corporates, Government and investors.

Technology has always been at the forefront of Western Australia’s agricultural industry to enable better, faster and more sustainable food production.

Agenda

This is the proposed agenda - it is subject to change based on availability and timing.

Day 1 - Wednesday 14 February

Today we will leave Perth and head to the South West region - The South West is an important agricultural region, known for its diverse agricultural activities (horticulture, viticulture, forestry, aquaculture, grain, dairy and livestock farming), benefiting from its varied climate, fertile soils, and natural resources.

Welcome breakfast with Western Australian Government - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), they have been at the forefront of adopting agritech to improve agricultural practices, increase productivity, and enhance sustainability in the state. Read more here.

Wide Open Agriculture Limited operates as a regenerative food and agriculture company in Australia. It offers regenerative beef, lamb, and poultry products, as well as pantry staples under the Dirty Clean Food brand; and regenerative carbon-neutral oat milk under the OatUP brand name through retail and online stores.

Patane Produce - recognised as one of Western Australia’s most successful horticulture enterprises, with a reputation for reliability and excellence in fresh vegetable produce. Leading supplier of carrots, potatoes, onions and broccoli to major international, national and local markets.

Day 2 - Thursday 15 February

Tour around the South West region.

Today we will visit two of the Karragullen Cool Storage (KGS) operations. KGS is Western Australia’s largest privately-owned fruit packer and wholesaler of quality fruit and one of the largest private growers in Australia.

Bluemoon Orchard - a large orchard growing apples (predominantly) on over 80 hectares of fertile soil. They also produce a significant quantity of Hass avocados and stone fruit, including several different varieties of nectarines. They use three large dams which ensure consistent water supply.

Bluemoon Packing - operate a state-of-the-art production process, where every piece of fruit is weighed and inspected by an automatic grader. They are also using suction cups to efficiently package the fruit.

Agristart Innovation Cluster - enables businesses to innovate and grow faster. They specialise in agrifood and agtech innovation programs. They provide expert advice and industry connections that fuel growth. HARVEST is WA’s leading business development program for start-ups and SMEs looking to innovate in the agrifood and Agtech industries.

Rocky Ridge Brewery - They are Australia’s first Certified Sustainable Brewery and committed to Net Zero emissions from brewing process by 2025. Their farm and brewery take their name from a natural outcrop of Ironstone that runs through the centre of their farm; “Rocky Ridge”, which perfectly sums up their slice of paradise, and ironically sums up the somewhat rocky road that they are on as well. Rocky Ridge is an alumni of the Agristart HARVEST program.

Day 3 - Friday 16 February

Today we will slowly be making our way back towards Perth.

S Camarri & Co Feedlot - Matt Camarri is a third-generation beef producer with cattle enterprises in the Nannup and Busselton shires. His 1500 head NFAS accredited feedlot utilises a tempered grain feeding system to produce domestic grain fed cattle for the Woolworths and Coles supermarket trade. Matt sits on the Western Australian Livestock Research Council (WALRC). Matt has also developed his own technology, a homemade remote control liquid dispensing unit, which is able to operate air valves on an overhead tank that disperses water and feed oil into a feed mixer.

Bunbury Farmers Market - 90% of the fresh fruit & veg you see at the Farmers’ Market was in the ground 2 days beforehand! Depending on the season, between 70% and 90% of their fresh produce comes from local growers in WA, working with over 150 local growers.

Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA) - FIPWA is Western Australia's first centre of agri-food innovation excellence, an ecosystem of research and development.

Day 4 - Saturday 17 February

Enjoy a free day to discover the vibrant coastal charm of Perth. Things to do in Perth.

Day 5 - Sunday 18 February

Morning - free time.

Casual Networking Lunch and Farmers2Founders briefing on Sunday 18 February 2024. Farmers2Founders are inviting friends from NZ and UK to join them for a casual lunch and find out more about Farmers2Founders and how they can support agtech business with their global expansion in 2024 (optional to attend). Register here.

In the afternoon, Callaghan Innovation, AgriFutures Australia and Western Australian Government - Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are hosting a Let’s Connect Network Event 3-7pm. This is an opportunity where you can meet others travelling over from New Zealand, our various hosts throughout the week, other sector experts from Australia and other delegations heading to evokeᴬᴳ

Day 6 - Monday 19 February

Today we will travel in and around Perth

Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct (AARP) - provides local, national, and global companies with a unique testing and development environment that is unparalleled in Australia, and one of the biggest facilities of its kind in the world.

Edith Cowan University (ECU) - is a public research university in Western Australia. Learn about 3D printing food, where researchers are aiming to make meals more interesting and more enticing to groups who may not get their daily serve of two fruit and five veg. At ECU, the produce is chopped, freeze dried and pureed to create 'inks', which are then printed into a range of enticing designs. Also taking a look into the work they are doing around cyber security.

Welcome Event ticket - for an unforgettable evening at the stunning Royal Perth Yacht Club of Western Australia on Monday, 19 February 2024. The Welcome Event is the perfect opportunity to connect with innovators and delegates before the main event. Don't miss out on this incredible experience - secure your ticket now and make the most of your evokeᴬᴳ 2024 journey. Ticket price: $150 (optional to attend).

Day 7 and 8 - Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 February

Our programme is designed as the perfect lead-in to evokeᴬᴳ 2024. Please note that you will need to purchase your own tickets to attend evokeᴬᴳ. The event will take place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

evokeᴬᴳ Festival of Food - Festival of Food in the Summer Garden at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre will be held after Day one of evokeᴬᴳ 2024. Ticket price: Tickets to this event are included in the two-day event ticket (optional to attend).

International Agtech Pitch Challenge - Get ready for the ultimate clash of innovation as 12 groundbreaking international AgTech startups clash on the global stage to compete for the prestigious "World's Most Innovative AgTech Nation" title! Held on Tuesday 20 February at 7.30pm. (optional to attend). Have you got what it takes to represent your country in the International Agtech Pitch Challenge at evokeAG 2024? If you are weaning the opportunity to get in front of investors during evokeAG here is your chance. Submit your EOI to pitch at the event by Friday 9 February.

WA Agtech meetup x evokeᴬᴳ Innovator Showcase: Witness the rapid-fire pitches from a handpicked selection of the most promising agtech innovators. Wednesday 21 February 2024, 7:00 am - 8:30 am AWST (optional to attend, but you will need to register).

WA's Regional BBQ - an evokeᴬᴳ Closing Function and Networking Event. Commemorate the close of evokeAG. 2024 in Perth with a regional Western Australian focused, high-energy cultural event at the iconic WA Museum Boola Bardip. Taste foods unique to WA, enjoy cultural performances and embrace the exceptional connection WA has to the past, present and future.Ticket price: $90 (optional to attend).

Budget

To give you a ballpark figure for the expenses you are likely to incur as part of this trip, please see our estimated budget for the trip, note: costs may differ depending on when you make your booking - right click, open in the new tab.

Flights

We encourage you to get your flights booked now if you haven’t already.

When it comes to arrival, we recommend you fly in on Tuesday 13 February so you are well rested before we get on the road on Wednesday 14 February.

As for departure, the evokeᴬᴳ conference finishes and our Market Immersion on Wednesday 21 February, however you might want to attend some of the evokeᴬᴳ side events or attend other meetings.

Travel Insurance

If you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel. Please ensure you have adequate coverage.

Accommodation

Our selected hotels are:

Tuesday 13 February

Oaks Perth Hotel | 305 Murray St, Perth WA 6000, Australia | 1 night | from $186.00 p/n - prices can fluctuate due to demand
Booking link | Booking code: EVOKEAG24 (bookings can only be booked via this link - no phone booking) - will need to make two separate bookings online with code for Tuesday night booking and Friday to Wednesday booking
Breakfast bundle can be purchased at booking - from $30p/p

Wednesday 14 & Thursday 15 February

Esplanade Hotel | 32-38 Marine Terrace, Busselton | 2 nights | from $115 - $190
Booking link - please enter booking code: EvokeAg - booking via website or phone +61 08 9752 1078

Friday 16 - Wednesday 21 February

Oaks Perth Hotel | 305 Murray St, Perth WA 6000, Australia | 6 nights | from $203.00 - $230 p/n
Refer to booking code

For other accommodation options - visit the evokeAG accommodation discount page. (If you choose to organise your own accommodation, you will need to meet at these hotel locations to board the bus).

Bus Transport and Distances

We'll be renting a bus to travel around as a group. It's worth keeping in mind that Western Australia is a pretty big place, so some distances might be longer than you expect.

Co-funding

Callaghan Innovation will be funding a number of agritech companies, researchers and growers to attend this market immersion. You will be expected to pay for everything up front and will invoice us once you return. Please note you must attend all activities planned for the Market Immersion (Wednesday 14 and Wednesday 21) to receive co-funding. Co-funding can be requested when you Register to join the Western Australian market immersion.

Traveller's Checklist:

A helpful list of things we think you should do to be ready for this trip:

Book flights
Get travel insurance.
Book accommodation for Oaks Perth Hotel (Perth). See accommodation section above for details.
Book accommodation for Esplanade Hotel (Busselton). See accommodation section above for details. Need to pay directly by Wednesday 7 February
Review Delegate Profile - send any amendments to [email protected] by Wednesday 31 January
Join the WhatsApp WA Market Immersion group.
Wear closed toe shoes for field tour - possible foot baths and heavy equipment.
Sunglasses, sunscreen & hat (it is going to be hot +40 deg C) and we will supply you with a drink bottle. Jacket for the wind when on the Monday tour.
Business Casual clothes for evenings Networking Event and during evokeᴬᴳ.
Register for Let’s Connect Network Event Sunday 18 February (Market Immersion Tour group ticket)
Buy tickets to evokeᴬᴳ.
- Welcome Event ticket - for an unforgettable evening at the stunning Royal Perth Yacht Club of Western Australia on Monday, 19 February 2024.
- Ticket price: $150 (optional to attend).
- Conference tickets for Tuesday 20 February and Wednesday 21 February. International delegate: $1,100.
- WA's Regional BBQ - an evokeᴬᴳ Closing Function and Networking Event. Ticket price: $90 (optional to attend).

Tag social posts with trip hashtag #agritechactivator #NZagritechinWA #evokeAG24

Side Events

Casual Networking Lunch and Farmers2Founders briefing on Sunday 18 February 2024. Farmers2Founders are inviting friends from NZ and UK to join them for a casual lunch and find out more about Farmers2Founders and how they can support agtech business with their global expansion in 2024 . (optional to attend). Register here.
Welcome Event ticket - for an unforgettable evening at the stunning Royal Perth Yacht Club of Western Australia on Monday, 19 February 2024. The Welcome Event is the perfect opportunity to connect with innovators and delegates before the main event. Don't miss out on this incredible experience - secure your ticket now and make the most of your evokeᴬᴳ⋅ 2024 journey. Ticket price: $150 (optional to attend).
evokeᴬᴳ Festival of Food - Festival of Food in the Summer Garden at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre will be held after Day one of evokeᴬᴳ 2024. Ticket price: Tickets to this event are included in the two-day event ticket. (optional to attend).
International Agtech Pitch Challenge - Get ready for the ultimate clash of innovation as 12 groundbreaking international AgTech startups clash on the global stage to compete for the prestigious "World's Most Innovative AgTech Nation" title! Held on Tuesday 20 February at 7.30pm. (optional to attend). Have you got what it takes to represent your country in the International Agtech Pitch Challenge at evokeAG 2024? If you are weaning the opportunity to get in front of investors during evokeAG here is your chance. Submit your EOI to pitch at the event by Friday 9 February.
WA Agtech meetup x evokeᴬᴳ Innovator Showcase: Witness the rapid-fire pitches from a handpicked selection of the most promising agtech innovators. Wednesday 21 February 2024, 7:00 am - 8:30 am AWST. (optional to attend, but you will need to register).
WA's Regional BBQ - an evokeᴬᴳ Closing Function and Networking Event. Commemorate the close of evokeAG. 2024 in Perth with a regional Western Australian focused, high-energy cultural event at the iconic WA Museum Boola Bardip. Taste foods unique to WA, enjoy cultural performances and embrace the exceptional connection WA has to the past, present and future. Ticket price: $90 (optional to attend).

For full side events visit International visits to WA for evokeAG 2024 - side events and tours: pre-registration and EOI. Note various dates 18-26 February. (optional to attend, but you will need to register). Please note: The form will close for submissions 30 January.