By Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association (ACAPMA).
With the theme of ‘Doing Business in a post-Covid-19 Economy,’ the 2021 Asia Pacific Fuel Industry Forum (APFI Forum), ACAPMA’s annual industry conference, will be held at the Adelaide Conference and Exhibition Centre on 4-5 November 2021 and will feature information, insight and innovation from industry leaders, regulators and specialists. From chain of responsibility to measurement instruments, employment to fuel contractor skills, future fuels to future of convenience, fuel security to future legislation, the forward focused forum agenda explores in detail the future of the downstream industry and arms delegates with information and inspiration.
“This year’s APFI Forum will continue the tradition of a focus on top quality speakers and presentations that are designed to energise and inform delegates, and arm them with information and knowledge that they can use in their businesses now, while preparing for the uncertain and challenging future” explained ACAPMA CEO Mark McKenzie.
ACAPMA is pleased to announce the latest confirmed speakers:
- Nick Carter, Senior Vice President Energy and Technology for Macquarie Group will provide an informed and expert views on the electric vehicle outlook for Australia, the challenges and opportunities that this emerging market will pose to the downstream petroleum industry.
- Sandra Parker, the Fair Work Ombudsman, will provide insights on critical employment compliance area as well as outlining the regulator’s future focus and enforcement strategy.
- Michael Kaine, National Secretary for the Transport Workers Union, will provide insights on Chain of Responsibility (CoR) in fuel industry transport and logistics, and what it means for both fuel wholesalers and fuel retailers.
- Ketan Kale, CEO at eFuel Systems, will highlight digital innovations and opportunities that exist in the Australian fuel retail sector.
- Ashley Sanders, Technical Director at Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, will provide insights on the vehicles of the future and their specific refuelling needs into 2030 and beyond including EVs and Hydrogen.
- Ronan Gilhawley, Principal at Oliver Wyman, will share detailed reporting and forecasts on the future of petrol convenience at a global and national level.
- Anthony Lahiff, National Sales Manager at Nilsen Networks, will explore the technical challenges we are facing now around the installation of high-power fast chargers for EVs on today’s forecourts.
These excellent speakers are in addition to those already announced:
- Scott Wyatt, CEO of Viva Energy Australia, will present on hydrogen and future fuels and their impact on the industry.
- Angus McKay, CEO of 7-Eleven Australia, on the future of convenience and the challenges and many opportunities that technology and changing customer perceptions offer.
- Paul Walsh, CEO of Australian Industry Standards, on the fuel contractor skills development program and the risk management that comes from implementing formal professional development pathways in fuel design, installation, maintenance and decommissioning.
- Bill Loizides, General Manager Legal Metrology of the National Measurement Institute, on trade measurement in the fuel industry and the important and necessary steps fuel wholesale and retail businesses need to take now to ensure compliance and protect customers, reputation and the business.
With more speakers to be announced the APFI Forum is a must attend event for operators and professionals working in, or servicing, the fuel wholesale and retail industries.
The detailed, fast-paced, and knowledge-focused conference program is complemented by a series of social and networking events designed to allow delegates to come together to discuss and explore what they have learnt, catch up with colleagues and suppliers, and simply enjoy eachothers company.
“With most of us having spent large blocks of time working from home and sitting in front of our computers on Zoom teleconferences, a special effort has been made this year to provide meaningful opportunities for delegates to network during a series of relaxed social events over the course of the two-day program,” Mr McKenzie added.
The first of these comprises a welcome cocktail reception on the night before the conference begins (i.e. 3 November, 2021), with a new Festival of Food function to be held on the Riverside Lawns of the Adelaide Convention Centre at the end of day one (4 November, 2021). Day two (5 November, 2021) commences with a networking breakfast for all delegates, and a business lounge will operate over the full two-day period to provide a place for more serious business discussions as required.
“Mindful of the challenges all businesses have faced over the past 12 months, we have almost halved our pricing for full event attendance and have designed an event that maximises the opportunity for suppliers to network with retail delegates – as opposed to being ‘chained to a booth’ in a trade hall,” Mr McKenzie said.
“If you have never been to the Asia Pacific Industry Forum before, then this is the year to come along – and join the 300-plus industry delegates and stakeholders that regularly attend this annual industry event.”
Further event details can be found here and an outline of the conference program can be found here.
Delegate registrations will open soon. To register your interest and receive regular updates about the 2021 Forum, click here.
Conference Sponsorship packages and a newly released limited number of supplier marquees are also available. Further information about these opportunities can be obtained by emailing ACAPMA’s new Marketing and Membership Manager, Julianne Channing at julieanney@acapma.com.au.
