TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
A curated trade event connecting local makers with buyers.
Meet the Makers is the Food & Agribusiness Network’s flagship trade event, connecting food and beverage businesses with chefs, retailers, distributors, hospitality venues and industry professionals seeking new products, new suppliers and new relationships.
Bringing this opportunity back for 2026, Meet the Makers continues to build on the strong commercial conversations, connections and outcomes the event is known for across the regions.
Meet the Makers brings together a curated group of food and beverage businesses with buyers actively sourcing new products.
Designed for meaningful conversations, exhibitors showcase their products, build visibility and connect directly with chefs, retailers, distributors and industry professionals.
As the day shifts, so does the pace. Stay on for a catered session to continue conversations beyond the trade floor.
A more relaxed environment to reconnect, build relationships and explore opportunities in more depth. Exhibitors are welcome to continue showcasing and sell products.
Choose how you want to connect at Meet the Makers 2026…
Showcase your products to a curated audience of buyers actively sourcing new food and beverage products. Build wholesale relationships, generate leads, and be part of a focused trade environment designed for real outcomes.
Connect directly with around 50 curated producers and discover new products ready for retail, foodservice and distribution. This is a trade-only session designed for efficient sourcing and meaningful conversations.
Continue the conversation beyond the trade floor. Join producers, buyers and industry for a relaxed lunch, real-world panel discussion, and extended networking designed to build lasting connections.
This year’s conversation brings together people actively building, buying, manufacturing and scaling food brands across Australia – offering practical insights and honest perspectives from across retail, wholesale and producers.
Together, they’ll unpack:
Following the morning Meet the Makers trade session, this ticketed afternoon experience is designed to create genuine connection and commercial conversations between producers, buyers and industry.
Whether you’re a producer, retailer, chef, distributor or industry stakeholder, this is an opportunity to hear directly from people working inside the sector every day – while continuing conversations with exhibitors and attendees in a relaxed networking environment.
What’s included:
Limited tickets available – secure your place.
Head of Meat, Seafood & Smallgoods – Harris Farm Markets
Antony Williams brings more than 25 years of buying, category management and leadership experience across the food industry, both domestically and internationally.
In his role at Harris Farm Markets, he works closely with producers and suppliers to identify quality products, emerging trends and opportunities across retail and wholesale channels.
Antony is passionate about supporting great producers and helping brands better understand what buyers are really looking for in today’s market.
Business Development Manager – Charmlaw Foods
Working within the FMCG market for the past 26 years, Nova drives impactful sales strategies, state-wide expansion, and customer service excellence.
Nova’s expertise focuses on building successful teams and the development of management that has strengthened distribution channels and elevated client satisfaction.
Dedicated to fostering collaboration and delivering results, her mission is to innovate and grow in the competitive grocery industry.
The Happy Snack Company
Craig and Megan Agnew are the founding shareholders in The Happy Snack Company.
Healthy chickpea snacks are produced at the Landborough facility on the Sunshine Coast and available to consumers around Australia in Woolworths, Coles and IGA stores. The business also exports to New Zealand, USA, UK, Germany and Singapore.
Prior roles for Craig include the founding CEO of Botanical Foods in Palmwoods, where he oversaw the launch of Gourmet Garden in the USA.
Craig founded AvoFresh in 2011, had global sales, marketing and technical sales roles in various businesses, including Heinz. Craig also worked in engineering, supply chain and production and studied Food Technology.
Bask & Co.
From what started as an ‘expensive hobby’ selling at local farmer’s markets in 2016, Bask & Co. has since grown into a nationally recognised name.
With a passion for creating delicious and inclusive products, founder Janessa Rutter worked tirelessly to expand the range over the years. Bask & Co products are now sold in 300 Woolworths Supermarkets and 350+ Independents around Australia.
Through hard work, dedication, and an unwavering belief in her products, Bask & Co. has evolved into a trusted brand that stands for inclusivity and quality. Janessa is incredibly proud of what she has achieved and excited about what the future holds as Bask & Co. continues to innovate and grow the brand.
Moderator
Andrew Eves-Brown is a highly experienced FMCG and economic development leader with more than 20 years’ experience across food manufacturing, supply chain, operations and regional industry development.
He has held senior leadership roles with Turbine, Gourmet Garden, COYO and Sunshine Coast Council, and brings a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing food and agribusinesses as they scale and grow.
As one of the original founders of FAN in 2015, Andrew has worked closely and tirelessly with businesses, researchers and industry partners to help strengthen Queensland’s food and agribusiness ecosystem through collaboration, capability building and innovation.
This event is brought to you with the support of our event sponsors. Their commitment to celebrating local producers and elevating our regional food culture is what makes events like this possible.
Frequently-asked questions
Meet the Makers is curated to ensure a strong and relevant exhibitor mix. Businesses who grow, produce or manufacture food and beverages are invited to register.
No. Meet the Makers is open to all businesses who grow, produce or manufacture food and beverages. Preference will be given to FAN members should exhibitor applications exceed capacity. However, we will endeavour to accommodate all eligible businesses who register.
Buyers include chefs, retailers, distributors, wholesalers, exporters, hospitality operators, tourism businesses, food service and other industry professionals.
Yes. Exhibitor places are capped and curated.
Preference will be given to FAN members should exhibitor applications exceed capacity. However, we will endeavour to accommodate all eligible businesses who register.
Please contact the FAN team to discuss current partnership opportunities.
Get the latest news and updates about Meet the Makers.
Meet the Makers is more than a showcase. It is part of FAN’s broader role in building capability, growing connections and helping regional food and agribusinesses access new markets and opportunities.
As one of the regions’ most recognised food and beverage trade events, it creates a platform for valuable connections, stronger visibility and commercial opportunity for local producers and makers.
