Programme outline - Muster, Summit, Celebration Dinner, Immersive Tour
Young Achievers Muster: Monday 11 March
The Muster - designed exclusively for our Award Alumni and Award partners - provides a powerful platform to share developments and innovations, and nurture strong connections. Details of the Muster will be provided directly to registered attendees. Built on the success of our first Muster in 2023, this is set to be another fantastic and transformative day.
Interested in coming on board as an Award partner? Contact us at hello@zandamcdonaldaward.com
2024 Impact Summit: Tuesday 12 - Wednesday 13 March
With our commitment to elevating thought, challenging the status quo, and inspiring positive change, our 2024 Summit will explore the bold theme “Guilt Free Farming – feeding and clothing a hungry world”.
The Summit is not a talk-fest, nor a platform for denial. It will bring you together, as the change-makers in Australia and New Zealand's food and fibre sector, and arm you with the tools for what’s coming next, by:
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Providing vision and inspiration
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Showcasing the latest information and innovation from NZ and around the globe
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Reinforcing credibility, with data and science from leading experts
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Igniting vital conversations and creating opportunities to connect
Why should we be proud to be a primary part of the supply chains that feed and clothe our world – and where are the opportunities to make the biggest impact over the next 10 years? Join us and be inspired.
2024 Award 10 Year Celebration Evening: Tuesday 12 March
2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Award, which is cause for celebration indeed!
Join us for this special evening where we reflect on the past decade, recognise the impact this Award is having on our sector, and crown our 2024 Award winners.
Located on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, this stunning location sets the scene for an evening filled with entertainment, socialising and celebration. The perfect opportunity to put on your Sunday best and raise a glass to our future leaders.
Immersive Tour - Thursday 14 March (optional)
Visit food and fibre game-changers in an immersive one day tour within the Queenstown Basin. In addition to breathtaking views, the trip includes visits to the iconic Royalburn Station and groundbreaking cherry orchard Forest Lodge Orchard, before a final stop at the legendary Gibbston Valley Winery to sample some of Central Otago’s finest wines.
Royalburn Station:
Royalburn Station is one of the oldest farms in the country, and one of the last operating farms in the region, with a genuine farm-to-plate operation. This historic station was taken over by former MasterCher NZ winner Nadia Lim and husband Carlos Bagrie in 2019, who have a vision to lead the way in regenerative ethical farming, by creating more sustainable and circular solutions to help the land, animals and food sources thrive. Home to one of only two mobile, micro on-farm abattoirs in the country, Royalburn’s lamb operation has the highest animal welfare and ethics practices possible. Click here to find out more.
Forest Lodge Orchard:
Forest Lodge is a 6-hectare cherry orchard with just over 9300 cherry trees, and is the World's First 100% Electric, Zero Fossil Fuel Orchard. No fossil fuels means the latest in electrification technology, and some fine kiwi-ingenuity is required. You’ll spend time with founders Mike and Rebecca Casey, who left their careers in finance and tech start ups in Sydney back in 2019 to embark on this new venture, to see and hear first hand on their journey and challenges in creating the first zero emission harvest - potentially in the world. To find out more click here.
Gibbston Valley Winery
No immersive tour of Central Otago would be complete without a stop at a winery - and where better to visit than Gibbston Valley Winery. Home to the oldest vineyards in the region and NZ’s largest wine cave, Gibbston Valley Winery have been handcrafting premium wines for more than three decades. Here you’ll enjoy a tasting and tour of the iconic cave, before making the trip back to Queenstown. The perfect way to wrap up the week.
Tickets to the Immersive Tour can be purchased separately as an "add-on" when you secure your Summit tickets. The Immersive Tour includes time with Nadia Lim and a barbecue lunch at Royalburn, a tour with Mike Casey at Forest Lodge Orchard, your wine cave experience and wine tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery, and return transport from The Heritage Hotel.
Accommodation
Our location for the 2024 Impact Summit is The Heritage Hotel, Queenstown.
This is located in central Queenstown, just a short walk downhill to the waterfront, with incredible views over Lake Wakatipu.
There is accommodation available on site, making it nice and easy. We have negotiated preferential rates for Summit attendees. Please click here to book online, or contact the hotel on +64 3 450 1500 or res.heritagezqn@heritagehotels.co.nz . Quote the reference ZMA24 to access the special rate.