PKN+Food & Drink Business LIVE

LIVE returns to Melbourne in October

The Food & Drink Business + PKN LIVE breakfast forum returns to Melbourne on 11 October. With experts from the food, beverage and packaging industries taking the stage, expect insights and revelations about what it takes to be a truly brave brand. We’ll explore emerging opportunities that enable brands to connect more deeply with their tribe in both the digital and real world realms. We have also planned a ‘surprise and delight’ reveal for the day.

Speakers, panellists and delegates will include Teresa Cutter (The Healthy Chef), Natalie Moubarak (+Hemp), Nicole Ohm (Brownes Dairy), Michael McNulty (Blue Diamond Growers/Almond Breeze) and Cameron Prowse (Alternative Meat Co).

Our keynote speaker is Nikki Moeschinger, managing director of Brand Opus. She will provide a framework to create brands capable of affecting consumer behaviour, as well as explore how the pressure to deliver short-term results is leading to damaging, unsustainable, price-driven promotional activity that’s eroding the only defence we have against the rise of private label in the Australian retail landscape.

Also speaking is Matthew Hurle, co-founder of brand activation start-up Brandcrush. Hurle will give insight into what’s driving the brand activation phenomenon and demonstrate how Brandcrush works with brands and activation partners/hosts to facilitate product sampling and experiential marketing with a difference.

Chris Gray, managing director of The Daylight Agency, will reveal the key factors that make a brand brave in the eyes of consumers, while shining a spotlight on specific brands that have done just this.

The event, which includes a full sit-down breakfast, will take place at the Arts Centre, Melbourne CBD, from 7.30am – 11.00am on 11 October.

Tickets are available from www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au/live.

Upcoming Events Submit an Event

October

From the hottest chilli sauces to the smelliest cheese, the Margaret River to the Barossa, we scour the nation to find the most delicious and exciting products around and bring them all together in one place. Watch top chefs and your favourite food heroes live on stage as they cook up a storm and meet the makers to sip, sample and shop their produce.

November

Crafted Beer Festival is returning for its second year on Saturday 22 November 2025, pouring into Newcastle Foreshore and transforming it into a frothy craft beer playground.

May

Bringing together chefs, operators, buyers, suppliers, and innovators for three jam-packed days of action across industry trade shows, culinary competitions, free conference streams, awards, and the best hospitality party of the year.