Conference Field Tour packed with insight and inspiration
Productivity and profitability is the theme of this year’s AOA National Olive Industry Conference & Exhibition, with relevant topics featuring throughout the three-day event program.
Pre-empting the two days of plenary sessions – and always a popular feature of the annual gathering – is the Field Tour, an optional full-day excursion to South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. Renowned as a gourmet food production region, the Fleurieu is home to numerous award-winning olive groves, along with state-of-the-art olive oil processing and packaging facilities.
This year’s Field Tour will visit two of those, Oleapak Oil Packaging Services and Peninsula Providore’s Nangkita olive grove, processing facility and farm shop.
Field Tour Program
Departing from the Conference venue, the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Adelaide, the day will start with a guided tour of Oleapak’s facilities. The purpose-built, state-of-the-art facility is an example of best practice packaging for edible oils, combining efficiency with product quality assurance.
Travelling on to Peninsula Providore’s Nangkita Grove at Tooperang, host Mel Hollick will share her olive journey and introduce the proactive grove management strategies being carried out on the property.
Working on continuing rejuvenation of the long-established grove, Mel places a strong emphasis on soil health and pruning to improve productivity. A composting trial undertaken on the property looked at a practical method of dealing with wastewater from Nangkita’s processing plant, combining it with hay to create a simple compost, which after aging is applied in the grove. Providing ground coverage for water retention and weed suppression, the practice enables re-use of available resources and management of costs in the grove.
An ongoing regenerative pruning process is also being carried out across Peninsula Providore’s groves, rejuvenating the older, overgrown trees and assisting with pest and disease control. Prunings are managed efficiently in the grove, broken down into logs for firewood and branches mulched between the rows, again re-using existing resources and building soil/tree health.
A shared grazing table lunch on arrival will fuel attendees for a walk and talk through the grove and production facility, discussing these practices, along with the insectary, processing line and the importance of promotional food events – and a firm focus on regionality – in Mel’s sales and marketing strategy.
As with all AOA events, there’ll be ongoing opportunities for questions, answers and discussion, providing information and inspiration for growers and producers across all levels of the industry.
Numbers are strictly limited, so book your ticket for the Field Tour on 28 October here to ensure you don’t miss out.
*Please note the Field Tour requires an additional ticket and is not included in the two-day Conference pass.
You can find out more about the Conference, Trade Exhibition and associated events on the Conference website here and view the current draft plenary program here. Final details are updated as they’re confirmed.
Event program, 28-30 October 2025:
Tuesday 28
Field Tour (optional)
Wednesday 29
Plenary sessions, Industry Trade Exhibition, Conference Dinner
Thursday 30
Plenary Program, Industry Trade Exhibition
2025 Australian International Olive Awards Presentation Dinner (optional)
The AOA has organised a special delegate rate for rooms at the venue, which can be booked directly here to secure your accommodation at the discounted rate.
Platinum Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
R&D Event Partner
The National Olive Conference & Trade Exhibition is facilitated by the Australian Olive Association, partially funded by Hort Innovation using the Olive R&D levy, with in-kind contributions from the Australian Olive Association and funding from the Australian Government. The event is also supported by industry sponsors and exhibitors.