National Cherry Industry Conference 2024 Wrap Up

Cherry growers, industry experts and special guests gathered in Hobart in late July for a three-day celebration of all things cherry. The National Cherry Industry Conference is the cherry event of the year and GP Graders were proud sponsors and attendees.

Road Tripping and Connecting With Customers

Our account managers Phil and Bret were keen to head to Tassie and meet up with clients before the start of the conference. A road trip from Devonport to Hobart allowed the pair to connect face-to-face with customers – something we always take time to do when travelling, if our schedules allow.

The Conference

Day 1 of the conference focused on exports, with sessions dedicated to sharing opportunities, developments, and insights. Attendees heard from various industry experts and reflected on their operations, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing the Australian cherry industry. The day was well-attended, with around 130 participants, and even more arrived that evening for networking drinks.

Day 2 brought together 260 delegates, with a focus on cherry-growing operations, quality, market positioning, and emission reduction. An optional Day 3 program included a visit to the Huon Valley, where delegates learned about protective cropping, marketing, canopy systems, and benefitted from product demonstrations.

For most, the event wrapped up with a Gala Dinner and the CGA Industry Awards. Held at the Royal Tasmanian
Yacht Club, on Hobart’s stunning waterfront, ‘A Night Under the Stars with a Glowing Orchard Twist’ was a fun and particularly apt way of wrapping up our time together. Having the opportunity to network with new and old faces in a relaxed and informal way was a subtle reminder of why face-to-face business events have been so warmly welcomed back after those few years of ‘online’.

Beyond the Booth

Unlike other events where GP Graders have been located at a stall in the trade hall, being a conference sponsor allowed our team to attend workshops with customers and interact more freely this year. Staying at the forefront of technology and innovations in the cherry industry is always a priority, and this conference was an excellent way to keep up with new developments. Sponsorship was also an important way to show our support for the longevity of the cherry-growing industry and to ensure events like this continue.

Compliments to the Team

The conference was a great success, marked by excellent organisation and strong attendance, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. One highlight of the event was the MC, Colin Lane, whose wit and charm kept the audience laughing and in high spirits from start to finish. Overall, it was a memorable event filled with insightful information, positive energy and great community spirit. Well done to the Cherry Growers Association team. We appreciate the effort put in for important events like this.

Time to Blossom

With Spring weather well on its way and the orchards ready to blossom, it will be interesting to see learnings from this conference unfold both in our own business and the industry. If you attended the conference and want to continue the conversation, we’d love to hear from you. If you couldn’t make it but are interested in how GP Graders can support your operation, reach out to us.