Networking invaluable on food and beverage tour
Networking, knowledge-sharing and a first-hand look at the facilities and innovative techniques of a select group of Western Australian businesses, were highlights of the Food Industry Innovation project’s first Regional Food and Beverage Business Study Tour held earlier this year.
Twelve agrifood stakeholders participated in the tour which included visits to a cross-section of WA food and beverage businesses, the opportunity to speak with business owners about their journeys, and presentations from industry experts.
Starting in Perth, the first stop was Curtin University’s School of Luxury Branding where researchers use innovative psychophysiological equipment to measure a consumer’s physical responses to stimuli. Eye tracking, facial recognition and measuring brain waves are just a few ways the consumer experience is being measured.
Study tour participants also visited Curtin’s ‘The Agency’ and Social Media Command Centre which is designed to simulate a contemporary marketing communication consultancy. The teaching and research facility boasts nine large screen monitors, allowing for real-time online trend tracking and social media marketing analytics for actual events and campaigns.
The group was excited to learn about industry engagement opportunities with Curtin in the areas of luxury branding research, social media marketing and digital analytics.
Other Perth-based business hosts included Whipper Snapper Distillery, Geraldton Fishermen’s Cooperative, Fremantle Octopus and Mundella Foods. Participants were especially interested to hear about Geraldton Fishermen’s Co-op’s marketing into China, direct sales and online successes.
A networking dinner was held at The Shoe Bar and Café in Yagan Square - a Buy West Eat Best program member that sources locally farmed, fished and produced ingredients. The department’s Buy West Eat Best program manager Melissa Worthington attended the dinner, providing tour participants with information about the program and membership opportunities.
The tour continued down to the State’s South West, where the second networking dinner was held at Swings Taphouse in Margaret River. South West Development Commission’s TradeStart manager Mat Lewis along with TradeStart advisor Simon Taylor provided attendee’s valuable insight into the TradeStart program along with advice for new businesses planning to export.
The following day included a site visit to Margaret River Dairy Company, an industry networking lunch at Amelia Park Restaurant to hear two regional business heroes share their journeys to export success, and a tour of the backhouse value-adding facilities, including the bakery at Bunbury Farmers’ Market.
For more information about upcoming study tours and networking opportunities, email the Food Industry Innovation team at: or register your interest in FII business support programs.
