AIC at 20: Launching the AIC Conference - the agri-food supply chain's flagship forum
As AIC marks 20 years as the UK agri-supply industry’s leading trade association, we're looking back at some of its greatest achievements since it was founded in 2003.
Each week throughout 2023, we’ll explore a major achievement where AIC represented its Member businesses, promoted the benefits of modern commercial agriculture in the UK, and supported collaboration throughout the food chain.
With the AIC Dinner & Conference this week (14-15 November), we look back at the history of the agri-food supply chain's flagship event.
Professional platform
The AIC Conference has a history spanning two decades, offering invaluable insights and connections within the agricultural industry.
Over the years the Conference has attracted more than 3,600 delegates of Members, stakeholders and guests, as well as a host of national and international speakers.
Originally called the Agribusiness Conference, it began in 2004 as a platform for professionals and stakeholders in the agri-food sector to come together, share knowledge, and discuss the pressing issues and innovations of the moment.
What started as a relatively small industry gathering in Peterborough quickly gained pace and prominence, evolving into a must-attend annual conference that is a staple in the industry's calendar.
For 2023 the event was rebranded the AIC Conference, with a pre-Conference Dinner held the evening before the main event which this year will celebrate 20 years of the trade association.
Valuable forum
Over the years, the Conference has had a range of themes - this year's event considers "Working with Natural Capital in the agri-food supply chain".
A long list of renowned and influential guest speakers from around the world have brought their expertise and insights to the stage over the past 20 years, including industry leaders, environmental scientists, agricultural economists, government ministers, business analysts and even notable farmers who have made significant contributions to the sector.
Their presentations have covered a wide range of topics, from agricultural and environmental policy developments and global market trends, to sustainable farming practices and technological innovations.
This year the speakers include Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP, NFU President Minette Batters, and Sir Charles Godfray of the University of Oxford.
The AIC Conference continues to be a valuable forum for professionals and businesses in the agri-food industry, providing a major platform to network, learn, and stay at the forefront of industry thinking.
To find out more about the AIC Dinner & Conference 2023, including the programme and speaker list, click below.
Watch the video below to learn about AIC's role as the UK agri-supply industry's trade association.
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Visit the AIC at 20 webpage for more content like this.
Author
Oli Hill
As Head of Communications, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media. A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.
