By Bronwyn Capanna*
The theme for Accord’s 2011 biennial annual conference is ‘Unleashing our Industry’s Potential: Pathways to an Innovative Future’. It focuses on our industry as a key part of Australia’s future: not only the provider of essential products and services, but as a key innovator.
The conference will be held at the Hilton Surfers Paradise from 27 to 29 October.
There is no doubt that the Australian cleaning products industry is an innovative industry. Constantly developing new products, new concepts and new possibilities to meet customer needs, the industry is also increasingly responding to calls for products with improved environmental impacts.
However, this innovative potential has not been fully realised.
Industry faces many challenges. They include doing business amidst Australia’s overly burdensome, complex and fragmented regulatory system; being an effective global communicator in a digital age; and responding to issues around sustainability and social responsibility.
At the Accord conference, international and local experts will explore these challenges, and the different pathways to further unleash industry’s potential.
A glimpse at the speaker line-up
*Tony Faure, former managing director of Yahoo, on digital strategy for this digital age
*Shannon Coombs, executive director of the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association, on how the Canadian industry is meeting consumer challenges
*Peter Anderson, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, on key policies impacting industry
More details will be coming soon at www.accord.asn.au/major_events
A glimpse at the social program
The Accord Conference will also feature exceptional business networking opportunities. In addition to morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea breaks, there will be a welcome cocktail reception, gala dinner and a Golf Tournament.
There are also opportunities to sponsor or take up a trade stand to profile your company and showcase your commitment to the industry.
The crowd
The Accord Conference will attract CEOs, managing directors, and key regulatory, technical and marketing personnel from a range of Australia’s top cleaning and hygiene companies, spanning large multi-nationals to small dynamic Australian-owned businesses.
Accord, a national voice
Accord is the national industry association for manufacturers and suppliers of all types of cleaning, hygiene, disinfectant and specialised products for use in commercial, institutional and industrial applications. It is recognised as its industry’s peak representative body by governments and the media.
Accord is an association passionately committed to providing indispensible member services. We energetically pursue goals to create a strong industry environment for our members through our priority areas of:
Regulatory reform
* Lobbying to simplify the regulation of industry products and reduce red-tape costs
* Active involvement in key regulatory decision-making, consultation, national policy development, international regulatory alignment
Social contribution and Environmental sustainability
* Promoting the positive social, economic and environmental contribution of industry products
* Proactive industry initiatives
Public affairs and Communications
* Active issues management to address public concerns
* Critical updates through our comprehensive network of local and global industry contacts on regulatory changes, government policy initiatives, key commercial and industrial developments and breaking media stories
Accord also holds several events every year to expand companies’ networks, knowledge and influence. Past events have featured key note speakers from international cleaning product associations from Canada, China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and the US. Accord sources expert presenters on a range of diverse topics of interest to the industry. Examples include Safe and effective use of industry hygiene products in food production; How to adapt to the new workplace laws; Accessing government support for businesses investing in innovation and sustainability; and Key demographic and social trends in Australia and the Asia-Pacific.
*Bronwyn Capanna is Accord’s executive director