Registrations have opened for the 2026 Australian Cotton Convention, with the trade set to assemble on the Gold Coast from 4 to six August 2026.
Registrations opened on 1 March for the flagship occasion, which is able to convey collectively growers, researchers, agronomists, provide chain companions and trade leaders from throughout Australia and abroad.
The three-day convention will run below the theme Future Match Cotton. The theme focuses on how Australian cotton can adapt, innovate and stay aggressive in a altering manufacturing, market and coverage atmosphere whereas persevering with to guide globally as a sustainable and high-quality fibre.
Convention Chair and Macquarie cotton grower Angus O’Brien stated the convention supplies an vital house for trade reflection and collaboration.
“The Australian Cotton Convention creates a discussion board for the trade to step again to critique and rejoice progress, look forward at shared challenges and work collectively on what comes subsequent,” Mr O’Brien stated.
“In 2026 we’ll be exploring what cotton must do to stay future match, from on-farm productiveness and innovation, sustainability and science, to market entry and world competitiveness.”
Delegates attending the convention can count on a sensible program that includes main analysis, real-world case research, on-farm innovation and insights from specialists inside and outdoors the cotton sector.
On the similar time, nominations have opened for the 2026 Australian Cotton Business Awards. The awards recognise people and groups throughout the trade for his or her achievements, dedication to sustainability and adoption of finest apply.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay stated the awards recognise the individuals who contribute to the success of the trade.
“The awards recognise greater than success on the farm,” Mr Kay stated.
“In addition they rejoice researchers, service suppliers, and rising leaders, and showcase improvements that profit the trade as an entire.”
The convention supplies a nationwide assembly level for folks concerned throughout the cotton worth chain.
It permits contributors to share information, assessment progress and focus on the challenges and alternatives going through the sector.
Convention periods will deal with sustainability and traceability, digital agriculture and information, soils and water stewardship, workforce and neighborhood wellbeing, market entry and the position of science and coverage.
The awards program enhances the convention by recognising folks whose work helps the long-term success of the trade.
For Goondiwindi grower and agronomist Grace Griffiths, the 2025 CRDC Chris Lehmann Younger Achiever recipient, the awards have opened new management alternatives.
“Amongst different incredible networking alternatives, receiving the CRDC Chris Lehman Younger Achiever Award has given me the chance to participate in a CRDC-funded place on the Australian Rural Management Program TRAIL program,” Ms Griffiths stated.
“TRAIL is an impressive program that I’m extremely excited to participate in, a chance I doubtless wouldn’t have had in any other case.”
The Gold Coast will host hundreds of trade delegates throughout the convention.
Contributors are anticipated from throughout the cotton provide chain, together with growers and their households, farm staff, agronomists, researchers and scientists, college students and educators, trade organisations, suppliers, retailers, ginners, spinners, producers, manufacturers and retailers.
Delegates may even participate in networking alternatives and social occasions designed to assist folks join in a welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere.
The convention is overseen by a volunteer trade committee and raises funds for a nominated charity.
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3 days of trade discussions – The Australian Cotton Convention will run from 4 to six August 2026 on the Gold Coast, bringing the trade collectively for studying, networking and collaboration.
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Greater than 150 exhibitors – The Cotton Commerce Corridor is anticipated to host over 150 exhibitors showcasing equipment, expertise, services and products supporting Australian cotton.
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5 award classes – The 2026 Australian Cotton Business Awards recognise achievements throughout growers, researchers, service suppliers and trade leaders.
A central function of the convention is the Cotton Commerce Corridor, which acts as a hub for trade engagement.
The exhibition will function equipment, expertise, services and products supporting cotton manufacturing and provide chain exercise.
The Australian Cotton Business Awards are open for nominations throughout 5 classes:
People and groups might be nominated, with entries closing on 2 April.
From this 12 months, the Australian Cotton Business Awards will transfer to a two-year cycle.
This method permits the trade to recognise recipients throughout the Australian Cotton Convention whereas delivering a bigger Grower of the Yr Subject Day in alternating years.
The 2026 convention may even introduce a brand new visible identification and web site reflecting a contemporary and forward-looking cotton trade constructed on innovation, sustainability, collaboration and neighborhood.
The brand new web site is now stay and can function the central hub for convention info, together with registration, program updates, sponsorship and exhibition alternatives.
The 2025 Bayer Cotton Growers of the Yr, Merrilong Agriculture, will host the Grower of the Yr Subject Day at Spring Ridge, New South Wales, on 18 March.
The occasion will enable attendees to see the analysis trials, effectivity initiatives and on-farm improvements that contributed to their award-winning practices.
“The Subject Day is a superb alternative for Merrilong to showcase a number of the key consults and techniques which were carried out on this farm and hopefully everybody will be capable of take one thing away from the day,” Merrilong Agriculture’s Jock Brownhill stated.
The sector day is designed to showcase the Grower of the Yr’s farm and provides folks throughout the trade the prospect to rejoice success whereas studying from one another.
“With the total breadth of the trade in a single place, the 2026 Australian Cotton Convention is shaping as much as be an occasion to not be missed,” Mr O’Brien stated.
