PCA2023

Speakers

Les Blackwell Speaker

As a Rolls Royce trained aeronautical engineer with 30 years’ experience in international aerospace and maintenance. During his career, Les has acquired considerable know- how in gas turbines and related systems and has consulted for some of the worlds leading airlines and the defence industry.

Over the past decade, Les has developed unique, world first technical and commercial solutions at Optimal Group, which have demonstrated a deep and creative understanding across a broad range of engineering disciplines.

Recently, Les has led the design and development of quad-generation solutions for the protected cropping industry, tailored to the unique challenges for Australian growers.

Jenny Ekman Speaker

Dr Ekman is a postharvest physiologist and communicator who works to maximise produce freshness and value while minimising supply chain losses. She is passionate about applying science to improve commercial and consumer outcomes. Dr Ekman has more than 25 years’ horticultural research experience

in Australia, the USA and internationally. Awarded the Bayer Vegetable Researcher of the year in 2021, she has led diverse research projects on everything from food safety to fruit-fly management and broccoli to zucchini. She is also a skilled communicator, understanding how to communicate research-

based information in an engaging and easy- to-understand way. When not exploring the scientific world, she loves nothing better than exploring the countryside on bicycle or motorbike.

Mike Evans Speaker

Marketer: Fresh Partners Pty Ltd 0419 843 253

unique shopper value in each market. With a 6-step framework, Mike guides producers to understand and engage shoppers’ wants. This in turn ensures growers build sustainable businesses with direction and profit.

With Fresh Partners, Mike has delivered results in Vegetable and Potato crops, Tropical fruits, Berries, Bananas, Apples, Stone-fruit and Nuts.

Mike Evans is a passionate advocate for fostering a strong connection between growers and shoppers. Mike strongly believes that nothing has ever been bought on price alone, which emphasises the magic of offering

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