The Australian IYP Gala Launch Dinner was held on 28 January 2016 at the Melbourne Museum.
The event was the first of it's kind dedicated entirely to the Australian Pulse industry and was supported by 330 delegates from across the pulse value chain; including pulse producers, leading Australian and global trade businesses, community leaders, consumers and government representatives.
Evening highlights included:
- Annabel Crabb, host of Kitchen Cabinet and author of The Wife Draught, provided Master of Ceremony duties for the evening.
- A delicious seasonal take of the Australian Signature Pulse dish served as entree, prepared by Australia's IYP Advocate and Star of ABC's The Cook and the Chef, Simon Bryant.
- Keynote presentation from Mr Hakan Bahceci, Global Pulse Confederation IYP Chair and CEO of Hakan Agro DMCC,
- Keynote presentation from Senator Anne Ruston, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources,
- A Symbolic planting of pulses by Mr Bahceci, Senator Ruston, Ms Danielle Green, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Major Events and Regional Victoria, Georgie Aley and Peter Wilson, Signified the year long commitment to growing pulse production and consumption through the key IYP themes.
- The entertaining fundraising auction led by Elders Auctioneer, Ron Rutledge, raising $34,750 in proceeds.
The event was a great success, building momentum and awareness for IYP 2016 and the potential to promote the pulse industry nationally and globally over the coming months.
Activity following the Launch Dinner
All registered companies are encouraged to continue to engage in IYP in one or more of the following ways:
- Consider becoming an event partner or becoming an IYP Supporting Partner. The Supporting Partnership option starts from $2,200 and for this contribution (to be reinvested in IYP activities in Australia) your company will receive recognition on the IYP website (www.glnc.org.au/iyp/sponsors), at IYP events and be provided with a Stakeholder resource pack that enables you to include branding in your company communications as an IYP Supporting Partner. As you may be aware, IYP is a collaborative effort and therefore has no assigned funding other than what can be sourced through partnerships. The more support Australia can muster, the greater things we can do for promoting and improving our pulse industry.
- Contact Rebecca to discuss potential projects or events that your company has involvement with and how you can incorporate IYP 2016 as a part of the activity.
- Stay engaged on social media through the #AusIYP16, #LovePulses and #IYP2016 handles and follow the International Year of Pulses - Australia Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ausiyp16/