2024 NSW Oyster Conference
The NSW Oyster Conference is coming to Port Macquarie on 4-5 September. We will keep you informed about the conference program and related activities here as well as the NSW Oyster Newsletter.
The organising committee are developing an exciting program, which includes a dedicated trade and social evening on Wednesday 4 September, presentations and updates from industry stakeholders across both days, a conference dinner on Thursday 5 September and a selection of field trips on Wednesday morning. A draft program is available below. When 4-5 September 2024 Venue The conference sessions, opening night, and gala dinner will be held at Port Panthers in Port Macquarie Where to stay To find out more about Port Macquarie, where to stay and things to do please follow this link for more information. Port Macquarie – Accommodation, things to do & more | Visit NSW |
NSW Farmers Gala Dinner
Click here to view and download the photos from the Conference Gala Dinner.
Information for exhibitors
If you have a trade table at the 2024 NSW Oyster Conference on the 4th and 5th September, you will find all the details of the event below.
Registration
Registration opens at 9am on Wednesday 4 September. We ask that you don't arrive before 8am as the club won't be open. The backing boards will be delivered to the venue and set up from 8:30am. Registration opens at 9am and you will have to check in with us to collect your conference ticket and bag and to get your allocated space at the trade show. The conference sessions start at 1pm. Please allow plenty of time to set up your stand prior to the conference start at 1pm so the conference can start on time.
Pack up
Please pack up your table at the latest after the afternoon tea break at 3:45pm on Thursday. Backing boards will be picked up at 4pm and the venue will remove tables at that time. We need the rooms vacated for the next event by 4:30pm. We appreciate your cooperation with this.
Dimensions
Each booth comes with a standard trestle table and 2 backing boards provided. Tables are 1800mm (L) x 600mm (W) x 800mm (H) and the backing boards are 820mm (W) x 2040mm (H). Please note there is no partitioning between the tables, backing boards can be used for that purpose if needed. You will have to bring velcro dots to display things on the boards.
Conference Bags
Want to send any promotion material for inclusion in the conference bag? You can send materials to the conference venue using the address below.
Panthers Port Macquarie
ATTN: Fleur Harvey 040924OC
1 Bay St
Port Macquarie
NSW 2444
Please organise for things to arrive at the venue from Tuesday 27th August onwards (please limit the amount of advertorials you include to one item as we have limited capacity for conference bag content). Make sure to include enough copies for up to 300 conference bags.
Tagging and Testing Electronic Equipment
It is a requirement of the venue that all electrical equipment be tested and tagged according to Workcover regulations. If you are unable to do this prior to the conference, there is a qualified electrician on site who might be able to assist (for a fee). If you are unsure about this requirement, please inquire with the venue (Port Panthers) directly.
Registration
Registration opens at 9am on Wednesday 4 September. We ask that you don't arrive before 8am as the club won't be open. The backing boards will be delivered to the venue and set up from 8:30am. Registration opens at 9am and you will have to check in with us to collect your conference ticket and bag and to get your allocated space at the trade show. The conference sessions start at 1pm. Please allow plenty of time to set up your stand prior to the conference start at 1pm so the conference can start on time.
Pack up
Please pack up your table at the latest after the afternoon tea break at 3:45pm on Thursday. Backing boards will be picked up at 4pm and the venue will remove tables at that time. We need the rooms vacated for the next event by 4:30pm. We appreciate your cooperation with this.
Dimensions
Each booth comes with a standard trestle table and 2 backing boards provided. Tables are 1800mm (L) x 600mm (W) x 800mm (H) and the backing boards are 820mm (W) x 2040mm (H). Please note there is no partitioning between the tables, backing boards can be used for that purpose if needed. You will have to bring velcro dots to display things on the boards.
Conference Bags
Want to send any promotion material for inclusion in the conference bag? You can send materials to the conference venue using the address below.
Panthers Port Macquarie
ATTN: Fleur Harvey 040924OC
1 Bay St
Port Macquarie
NSW 2444
Please organise for things to arrive at the venue from Tuesday 27th August onwards (please limit the amount of advertorials you include to one item as we have limited capacity for conference bag content). Make sure to include enough copies for up to 300 conference bags.
Tagging and Testing Electronic Equipment
It is a requirement of the venue that all electrical equipment be tested and tagged according to Workcover regulations. If you are unable to do this prior to the conference, there is a qualified electrician on site who might be able to assist (for a fee). If you are unsure about this requirement, please inquire with the venue (Port Panthers) directly.
List of exhibitors for trade show
We would like to acknowledge all our trade show exhibitors for their continued support for this conference. With a record 36 confirmed exhibitors, the trade show provides opportunity to meet with suppliers, support agencies, regulators, and others. There will be plenty of time to mingle at the various social events, including the Opening Night on Wednesday (sponsored by NSW DPIRD Aquaculture) and Pre-dinner networking drinks (sponsored by East33) on Thursday. The trade tables will be displayed throughout the 2 days in the Rushcutters and Renaissance rooms.
Field Trips
If you have booked one of the field trips as part of your conference registration, please read on to find detailed information about each field trip. Please note, the conference sessions begin at 1pm, registration will be open from 9am, and you need to arrive before 1pm to register (get your lanyard and conference bag) so please allow enough time for travel between the field trip and conference venue (Port Panthers). Please note, lunch will not be supplied but you can purchase food and drinks at the club.
SafeWork NSW WorkShop
As an alternative to a field-trip, a late addition to the conference agenda is a SafeWork NSW workshop at Port Panthers. By attending this workshop, it will count as an “eligible education activity” which is part of the criteria to receive the $1000 SafeWork NSW Rebate (more info can be found $1,000 SafeWork small business rebate | NSW Government)
Finally, if you've already registered for the conference, and would like to attend this workshop instead of a pre-booked field trip, please contact Andy on [email protected] / 0488 656 366. Field trips have limited space, and we can free your spot up for another delegate if your plans have changed.
- Workshop Title: SafeWork NSW $1,000 Rebate Workshop for Oyster Farmers
- Date & Time: Wednesday 4th September, 10:00am - 11:30am
- Location: Port Panthers Training Room
- Agenda:
- 10:00am - 11:00am: SafeWork NSW Presentation
- 11:00am - 11:30am: Q&A Session
- Registration: While no registration is required, those interested are welcome to get in touch with Julian Farrugia for any further details or to ensure their participation.
- Contact info: For more information or to reserve a spot, attendees can reach out to [email protected] / 0488 100 034.
Finally, if you've already registered for the conference, and would like to attend this workshop instead of a pre-booked field trip, please contact Andy on [email protected] / 0488 656 366. Field trips have limited space, and we can free your spot up for another delegate if your plans have changed.
WISA Women in Oysters Networking Breakfast
Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) is thrilled to introduce a networking breakfast with guest speakers at this years NSW Oyster Conference. Organised by women in the oyster industry for the entire oyster community, this event will delve into the advantages of people-centric businesses and explore strategies for investing in our teams and the future of the oyster industry. Please note that this event is NOT included in your full conference registration - if you wish to attend you will need to purchase the separate breakfast ticket. Cost is $20 for WISA members, or $35 for non-members. You can join WISA here - https://womeninseafood.org.au/members/membership-signup#join
- Title: Invest in Your Future WISA Networking Breakfast
- Date & Time: Thursday 5th September, 7:00am - 8:30am
- Location: Port Panthers Kove Lounge
- Registration: Please note that this event is NOT included in your full conference registration - if you wish to attend you will need to purchase the separate breakfast ticket. You can do so on the conference registration eventbrite here.
- Contact info: [email protected]
Young Farmer Bursary
We are offering a limited number of free tickets for the conference to farmers 35 years or younger. In exchange, we ask for some help with the conference on the day, e.g. ushering delegates back in after breaks, counting of votes for the competitions, time keeping, session chairing. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in this opportunity. A few criteria apply, e.g. age and limited to one free ticket per permit holder. Please note there is a limited number of these and we ask that you mention in the application email why you are interested in the bursary and how you would like to contribute to the conference.
Conference Sponsorship
This is your singular opportunity to contribute to this highly anticipated event and show your support of the NSW oyster farming industry. The last conference attracted 270 delegates and with a dedicated trade show and opening night, you will have the perfect opportunity to elevate your brand awareness, engage and network with new and old customers, and expose your company and product to one of the largest industry conferences in NSW. There will also be a grand auction held at the conference dinner, so please let us know if you can provide any auction item donations. We would appreciate if you could indicate your interest by 31st May.
There are several ways you can get involved, including sponsorship opportunities, hosting trade display tables or information stands, or providing products for auction at the conference dinner. Sponsorship opportunities are outlined in the below 2024 Sponsorship Prospectus.
To help us prepare for your participation at the event, please fill out the Sponsor Details Form and return to Laura Stoltenberg ([email protected]) by 31th May 2024. Please note that sponsorship options for the conference dinner and opening night will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Thank you for your continued support of the NSW Oyster Industry and we look forward to meeting you and your representatives at the event in September. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
There are several ways you can get involved, including sponsorship opportunities, hosting trade display tables or information stands, or providing products for auction at the conference dinner. Sponsorship opportunities are outlined in the below 2024 Sponsorship Prospectus.
To help us prepare for your participation at the event, please fill out the Sponsor Details Form and return to Laura Stoltenberg ([email protected]) by 31th May 2024. Please note that sponsorship options for the conference dinner and opening night will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Thank you for your continued support of the NSW Oyster Industry and we look forward to meeting you and your representatives at the event in September. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Call for Abstracts
The call for abstracts is now closed. The conference committee will be contacting speakers in the coming weeks to confirm a talking slot.
Research posters
The NSW oyster conference is a great opportunity for researchers and students to engage with farmers. Recognising that not everyone will have an opportunity to present, we’d like to offer the free use of display boards to exhibit research posters. These will be promoted in the conference program, and will be situated in the busy trade area. Posters should be A0, and of portrait orientation. To ensure we have space allocated, please email Andy Myers on [email protected] before Friday 30th August, with the poster title, and contact details.
Research posters
The NSW oyster conference is a great opportunity for researchers and students to engage with farmers. Recognising that not everyone will have an opportunity to present, we’d like to offer the free use of display boards to exhibit research posters. These will be promoted in the conference program, and will be situated in the busy trade area. Posters should be A0, and of portrait orientation. To ensure we have space allocated, please email Andy Myers on [email protected] before Friday 30th August, with the poster title, and contact details.
Photo Competition
The NSW Oyster Industry has been an iconic visual component of the NSW estuarine environment for over 140 years. In recent years many oyster industry images of historic significance have emerged from family archives that reinforce the key role that the oyster industry played in the development of NSW coastal communities. It is important that the NSW oyster industry photographic record, past, present, and future, be encouraged and preserved.
Sponsored by AOC, this photo competition is sure to make waves again at this year's conference and we look forward to receiving your entries!
Who can enter
The NSW Oyster Industry Conference 2024 – Photography Contest is open to all members of the NSW oyster industry, their family members and their employees.
Prizes
Two monetary prizes will be awarded in each category (6 in total).
Voting
People’s Choice Award – Winners will be determined by a vote by any person attending the conference (only one vote per person per category). Prizes will be presented at the Gala Dinner.
Categories
The NSW Oyster Industry Conference 2024 – Photography Contest is comprised of three categories:
Rules
How to enter
Sponsored by AOC, this photo competition is sure to make waves again at this year's conference and we look forward to receiving your entries!
Who can enter
The NSW Oyster Industry Conference 2024 – Photography Contest is open to all members of the NSW oyster industry, their family members and their employees.
Prizes
Two monetary prizes will be awarded in each category (6 in total).
- Amateur - 1st prize per category
- Professional - 1st prize per category
Voting
People’s Choice Award – Winners will be determined by a vote by any person attending the conference (only one vote per person per category). Prizes will be presented at the Gala Dinner.
Categories
The NSW Oyster Industry Conference 2024 – Photography Contest is comprised of three categories:
- Category 1 – Portraits: entries in the portrait category may comprise close-up images of people, oysters or any other thing encountered in the day-to-day oyster farming activities.
- Category 2 – Oyster Farming and the Environment: entries in the oyster farming and the environment is a broad category that may include images of environmental interactions between oyster farming and the broader environment.
- Category 3 –Heritage and History: entries in the heritage category may comprise images of historic farming activities, farms, people or infrastructure.
Rules
- Images may be in color or a black and white format
- The entrant must have taken the photograph
- Entrants may only submit one image per category
- The judging panel reserves the right to recategorize or reject any entry based on content
- All entries (individual images) must be submitted electronically in high resolution and in jpg or png format
- The judging panel determination of the People’s Choice Award will be final.
How to enter
- Email your photos and photo release form to [email protected] by Sunday 18 August.
- Please indicate in your email whether you are an amateur or professional photographer (do you make any income from your photography?)
- List the category(s) you are entering into (please note only one photo per category will be accepted)
- Please limit file size to 5MB
- Please be aware that your photos may be used by industry committees and organisations (e.g., OceanWatch Australia, the funder of the photo competition (AOC), NSW Farmer’s Association) to promote the interest of the NSW oyster industry (acknowledging authorship of any image used).
Most Beautiful Oyster Competition
We are bringing back the Most Beautiful Oyster Competition!
Submit 6 of your most beautiful un-opened oysters for a people choice vote.
There will be two categories
'Most Beautiful un-opened Sydney Rock Oyster' and 'Most Beautiful un-opened Pacific Oyster'
Bring six of your most beautiful un-opened oysters along to the 2024 NSW Oyster Conference 4-5 September at Port Panthers, Port Macquarie for a chance to win. Present your oysters to the DPI exhibitor table or when you sign in at registration.
Each entry must consist of six oysters only, however, you can enter in more than one category. There will be a trophy for 1st prize in each category kindly sponsored by NSW DPI.
Submissions will be de-identified and all conference attendees get the chance to vote throughout the conference.
The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Thursday night.
Submit 6 of your most beautiful un-opened oysters for a people choice vote.
There will be two categories
'Most Beautiful un-opened Sydney Rock Oyster' and 'Most Beautiful un-opened Pacific Oyster'
Bring six of your most beautiful un-opened oysters along to the 2024 NSW Oyster Conference 4-5 September at Port Panthers, Port Macquarie for a chance to win. Present your oysters to the DPI exhibitor table or when you sign in at registration.
Each entry must consist of six oysters only, however, you can enter in more than one category. There will be a trophy for 1st prize in each category kindly sponsored by NSW DPI.
Submissions will be de-identified and all conference attendees get the chance to vote throughout the conference.
The winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Thursday night.
Best Dressed Oyster Competition
We are bringing back the "Best Dressed Oyster Competition" this year!
We want to see your creative dressmaking skills in our "Best Dressed" Oyster Competition!
Let your creativity flow and show us your creations for a chance to win two bottles of wine sponsored
by Cassegrain.
To enter, bring your best dressed oyster shell along to the conference. Your entry will be anonymous
and identified only by an entry number to allow attendees to vote. One entry per contestant only.
We want to see your creative dressmaking skills in our "Best Dressed" Oyster Competition!
Let your creativity flow and show us your creations for a chance to win two bottles of wine sponsored
by Cassegrain.
To enter, bring your best dressed oyster shell along to the conference. Your entry will be anonymous
and identified only by an entry number to allow attendees to vote. One entry per contestant only.