AltProteins 24 program
Food Frontier’s AltProteins 24 will showcase the breakthroughs in plant-based, cultivated, and fermentation-derived proteins.
Building on the momentum of our last two conferences, this year we present an ambitious agenda—expect pioneering keynotes, dynamic panels, and in-depth workshops.
Together, we’ll tackle building sustainable food systems, pathways to market, and the future of food and forge pivotal industry and consumer connections. Join us for a day of insight, collaboration, and momentum toward a sustainable food ecosystem.
Stay tuned as we announce industry experts joining this exceptional session line-up.
🌱Plant-based food
🥩Cultivated meat
🦠Precision fermentation
Time
Name
First-timers welcome event
Welcome & introduction
1. Sustainability at the heart of food systems change
A visionary exploration of the role of big food and beverage companies in driving sustainable food systems, focusing on the intersection of innovation, consumer behaviour, and environmental stewardship.
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Dignitary address
2. Getting alt proteins on the climate agenda
A dynamic debate on catalysing food as a central climate change issue, showcasing some of the most impactful initiatives to drive industry growth, consumer uptake and dietary change as a key contributor to environmental sustainability.
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Morning tea
3A. What’s on the label? Nutrition unpacked
Addressing the nutrition paradox in plant-based meats. Unveiling truths, addressing consumer concerns, and spotlighting ways forward for industry messaging.
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3B. Cellular agriculture – Domestic & export opportunities
We are witnessing the emergence of a new biomanufacturing sector. Synthetic biology, precision fermentation and cultivated meat offer vast potential to add value to our current food system. As this session explores, Australia is well-placed to play a leading role in this opportunity, both domestically and in the wider Asia Pacific region.
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4A. Charting the course: Plant-based industry insights
Through the lens of Food Frontier’s latest State of the Industry report, unpack the path forward for the plant-based meat sector amidst global economic and market shifts.
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4B. Pathways to progress
The Greater Whitsunday Alliance has been working to turn the region into a world-leading biomanufacturing hub. Hear how the Alliance secured ecosystem-wide buy-in, the partnerships shaping success, the broader benefits fuelling government support and how this model might be replicated elsewhere.
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4C. Global market reach – Victoria’s export blueprint
In partnership with the Victoria Government’s trade facilitation agency, Global Victoria, this workshop will unpack case studies for Victorian businesses to tap into international markets, particularly in the APAC region. Gain insights from Global Victoria on strategies for expanding overseas and leveraging regional advantages in a competitive global landscape.
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Networking lunch
5A. The future of foodservice
Delve into the opportunity of plant-based foods within foodservice. Learn how industry leaders are adapting to consumer behaviours, influencing culinary education, chef’s attitudes and enhancing value with plant-based dining experiences.
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5B. Cultivating accountability – evidence gaps in cellular agriculture
As sustainability becomes an increasing focus the industry will be expected to objectively measure its impact and performance across social, environmental and economic indicators. Engage with experts in an interactive workshop that will highlight how the evidence gaps can be bridged with accountability to advance this ground-breaking industry.
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6A. Seeds of innovation: Nourishing the plant protein chain
This panel explores the growth potential and current road-blocks in the plant protein supply chain. Engage with industry experts on the potential for Australian-grown ingredients to deliver taste, nutrition, and functionality, shaping a resilient and sustainable future for plant-based foods.
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6B. Fermentation under the microscope
A time-honoured technique heralding a new era in food technology. Join us to demystify the process and explore the infrastructure necessary for a sustainable, food-grade supply chain. In this session, we ‘take a look under the microscope’ with industry to ask for their insights to learn how our region can unlock this technology.
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6C. Scaling the cellular – Navigating cultivated meat’s next frontier
Cell-cultivated meat offers one of the most exciting opportunities for food system re-invention this century. Join supply chain leaders during an interactive workshop discussing potential solutions for scale-up challenges; supply chain collaboration, the latest technologies and the transition from research and pharma grade to food grade.
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7. Innovator in the spotlight – Protein pioneers of tomorrow
Witness the drive and creativity of alternative protein startups as founders pitch their visions. Experience a showcase of innovative solutions set to shape the future of food in a rapidly evolving market.
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Afternoon tea
Futurescape: The next quarter-century of food innovation
A visionary talk addressing the sustainability and future readiness of alternative proteins. Discover the transformative potential of current technologies and what they signal for the future of food amidst global challenges.
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Closing remarks
Cocktail hour
AltProteins 23 program
Food Frontier’s AltProteins 23 program explored the significant changes we experienced during the previous two years and identified the challenges and opportunities for the plant-based meat, cultivated meat, and precision fermentation sectors.
The main speaker and concurrent sessions spanned manufacturing, retail, and foodservice, exploring topics such as consumer acceptance, value chain scaling, regulation, investment, innovation, and exports—just to name a few!
2024 speakers
AltProteins 24 is an unparalleled knowledge-sharing event with a line-up featuring some of the most respected figures in the alternative protein industry. From acclaimed nutrition experts to plant-based pioneers the speakers will cover the spectrum from scientific innovation to market trends. With leaders bringing the latest in cellular agriculture, and offering insights into sustainability, this year’s speakers from across the Asia-Pacific region will provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
Dr Simon Eassom
Dr Simon Eassom is an experienced leader, business executive, and strategic thinker. He has had a distinguished career as a university professor with a PhD in applied ethics and a background in health and nutrition as Head of a large university School of Physical Education and Sport Science. As a freelance investigative journalist, Simon was a regular media commentator on numerous issues, including the political economy of food and the public presentation of information and advice on diet and health. Mid-career, Simon moved to the corporate sector and worked in various executive roles for IBM, leading on the use of Big Data, predictive analytics, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence to improve business and performance outcomes. As a recognised subject-matter-expert on artificial intelligence, he has consulted to numerous organisations on the impacts of technology on the futures of work, education, and food. He has been an in-demand public speaker on technology and change and currently serves on the Board of the Australian Council of Professions as its Chief Futurist.Sonalie Figueiras
Social entrepreneur and trends forecaster Sonalie Figueiras is a sustainability expert, food futurist and eco-powerhouse who has been inspiring global audiences for more than a decade with practical steps on how to fight climate change. Known as the Green Queen of Asia, she is the founder and Editor in Chief of the award-winning Green Queen—the region’s first impact media platform that educates millions of readers on the connection between health, sustainability and the environment and showcases future solutions. Sonalie has been recognised as 2021 Women of Power, 2019 GEN T Honoree, V Label Global Hero and has twice been a TEDx Speaker. She is also the co-founder and CEO of organic sourcing platform Ekowarehouse and climate tech SaaS Source Green, which helps consumer brands quit plastic packaging thanks to proprietary plastic reduction software. In addition, Sonalie is a global keynote speaker and an advisor to multiple mission-driven start-ups and NGOs, and a venture partner to several VC funds.Dr Daisy Coyle
Dr Daisy Coyle is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health. Her primary research focus is on evaluating strategies to promote healthier and more equitable diets. She collaborates closely with NGOs, government entities, public health organisations and academic partners to translate research findings into actionable policies aimed at improving public health. Daisy has secured more than $2 million in grant funding for her research and has published more than 40 papers. As a sought-after nutrition science media commentator, she regularly presents on prominent news outlets including ABC News and Nine News and is frequently quoted in print media, including the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian Financial Review.Nikki Freed
Nikki has been working in molecular biology and microbiology for more than 20 years. She has worked in several roles, both in academia as a Senior Lecturer in Genetics and at Novartis Pharmaceuticals in the production of proteins from mammalian cells. Nikki recently co-developed a leading method for sequencing the virus that causes COVID-19 which is now used globally and has been used to generate more than 1 million publicly available genomes.Dr David Fechner
Dr Fechner is a Research Fellow at Griffith University. He is passionate about helping reduce suffering for all sentient beings and ensuring that present and future generations can enjoy the beauty of our planet. He designs and experimentally tests interventions to encourage chefs and consumers to embrace plant-based foods.Kristi Riordan
Kristi Riordan is Co-Founder and CEO at Harvest B, an Australian B2B food technology company developing and manufacturing novel proteins. Kristi is an experienced operating executive of multiple venture-backed tech companies that redefined categories in highly regulated industries over the past 20 years. Across her career, she has been supported by multiple investors including W23 and Sequoia Scouts (investors of Harvest B) in Australia, Bessemer, Matrix and CRV in the USA. Having spent most of her career in New York City, Kristi was granted a Distinguished Visa in 2019 under the new Global Talent program and is now permanently residing in Australia. Prior to her career in tech growth companies, Kristi spent time at Blackstone Private Equity in NYC, KPMG and served as a law clerk on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington D.C. Kristi holds her Certified Public Accountant license and is an admitted lawyer in the USA.
Contact
For event information on attending or sponsoring AltProteins 24 please contact:
Liz Shaw
Event Manager
altproteinsconference@foodfrontier.org
Susie O’Neill
Head of Industry Engagement
susie@foodfrontier.org