2022
2022 Sustainable Growth Through Innovation
Innovation Trade Mission

11-17 November 2022
Leaders

Chair of the Board of Directors, Tesla Inc, Chair of the Tech Council of Australia and Operating Partner of Blackbird Ventures

Corporate Leader and AICC NSW Chair
Overview
Testimonials
I attended the Technology and Innovation mission with Robyn Denholm and Jillian Segal in late 2022. It was an incredible experience. The level of innovation in Israel is jaw-dropping. We met with cyber, AI, renewable energy, Additive Manufacturing and VC companies. It helped me “see the future” as well as figure out the present day!
Israel had been a must do for a long time for me. Not only for the Cultural and Educational aspect but for the experience and knowledge that would be gained around their culture and history of creativeness. I was not disappointed, the backgrounding of history and beliefs from ancient time to recent was covered by a range of experts in a most enjoyable way.
The company visits were extensive and covered many large international and local companies briefing us on emerging technologies and emerging research and development strategies.
Additional companies of specific interest to myself were organised.
Go visit the “Start-up Nation”.
2022 Women Leaders Trade Mission
2022 Women Leaders Trade Mission
22-28 July 2022
Leaders

Anne Templeman-Jones
Chairman, Blackmores Ltd, Non-Executive Director, Commonwealth Bank & Worley Ltd

Margie Seale
Non-Executive Director, Westpac Corporation Limited & Scentre Group
Overview
Our 5th Annual Women Leaders Trade Mission to Israel entitled A World in Transition delved into some of the big issues framing the future, including decentralised finance and exchange of value, energy exchange and the transformation of the energy sector, innovative approaches to solving supply chain issues, the new cyber security landscape, AI, data and privacy.
Testimonials
I was fortunate to lead a Trade Mission in 2022. The access to cultural and business experiences and expertise via the AICC team was outstanding. Israel is a complex and clever country, and the group left with increased knowledge of the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the country and the businesses created by it, and of its determination and consequent ecosystem to drive success. We were skillfully and intelligently advised by the AICC here at home and in Israel. It’s network is unrivalled.
I have been fortunate to participate in two trade missions to Israel and both have been exceptional experiences. AICC’s network in Israel offers participants access to an impressive range of high quality speakers from across all sectors of Israeli life – political, scientific, business and social.
The missions provide insights into the Israeli ecosystem – that unique combination of military, government, academia and business – as well as the multi-layered, multi-faceted and diabolically complicated situation that is Israel in the Middle East and in the broader world.
Mission participants add to the mix – in both my cases they were a diverse, interesting and fun bunch – and even the tour guides are selected to provide intelligent, thought provoking commentary and quirky glimpses into Israeli life and history. The social/cultural components of the trip are as vital as the business ones and together make for a transformative trip.
I highly recommend the experience – it is a brain spritz, opening your perspective, leaving you with more questions than answers but invigorated, fascinated and exhausted!
I joined the AICC Women Leaders Trade Mission in 2022 with very high expectations. They were exceeded. The mission operated on so many levels: cultural, geo-political, economic and historical and was so very well run.
Israel is challenged with security everywhere: physical, cyber, water, food and energy. These challenges drive innovation and provide so much for us to contemplate. The mission provided amazing insight but also, as a group of Australian business leaders, the opportunity to reflect collectively on how we might harness our own challenges for good.
If you have a chance to go on an AICC Trade Mission, I urge you to take it.
Western Sydney Trade Mission
Western Sydney Trade Mission

8-14 July 2022
Leader

Elizabeth Mildwater
Chief Executive Officer
Greater Cities Commission

Simon Hickey
Chief Executive Officer
Western Sydney Airport
Overview
The delegation focused on understanding the key factors driving Israel’s globally renowned innovation eco-system, precincts and hi tech sector and exploring possible applications for Western Sydney.
Testimonials
The Western Sydney Trade Delegation to Israel was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a knowledge based start-up nation with a very different approach to encouraging local innovation and attracting international investment. We learnt the value of strong government leadership in the venture capital space and benefited from the exposure to a unique forward thinking, risk taking, culture that values the importance of innovation in all aspects of the economy.
It was also an incredible experience to understand some of the history and geopolitics shaping the Middle East. The AICC were the perfect hosts, chaperoning us through history sites and centres of modern innovation which seems to flourish everywhere including the Negev Desert.
The Trade Mission to Israel organised by the AICC delivered more than I expected in terms of cultural immersion, Israel’s history and what a ‘culture of innovation’ looks like as a way of life. It didn’t take long for me to realise that I didn’t know what I didn’t know about the ‘Start-up Nation’ and I now understand how to align my own thoughts about innovation to Israel’s in a more valuable way. The mission was well-organised and ran like clockwork and I remain forever grateful to the AICC for the experience
I had the opportunity to join an AICC Trade Mission in July as part of a Western Sydney delegation and it was incredibly valuable to gain a detailed insight into Israel’s innovation ecosystem as well as meet and travel with a great cohort of delegates. The agenda curated by the AICC provided an opportunity to engage with Israel from a cultural, historic and geopolitical context which helped enormously when talking with universities, governments, startups and corporates. I highly recommend anyone who is interested in gaining a sophisticated view of Israel’s innovation to consider joining an AICC delegation.
2019 Property and Innovation Trade Mission
2019
2019 Property and Innovation Trade Mission
8 – 14 November 2019
Leaders

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director
Dexus

Chief Executive Officer
Property Australia, Lendlease

Executive Director, Head of Real Estate and Government Business
ANZ at Macquarie Capital
Overview
Gallery
Testimonials
It was a privilege to co-lead the AICC’s 2019 prop-tech trade mission where participants were given exclusive exposure to some of the most innovative technology coming out of Israel. The tailored itinerary provided us with an engaging cultural experience combined with the opportunity to interact with some of the most exciting entrepreneurs in this unique innovation ecosystem. We came back with ideas on how we could implement new technologies into our own businesses and Dexus has since partnered with some of these organisations, demonstrating the value of the AICC in enabling new business connections
2019 Healthcare and Innovation Trade Mission
2019 Healthcare and Innovation Trade Mission
20th – 26th September 2019
Leaders

Secretary,
NSW Health

Chief Executive Officer
Medibank
Overview
Gallery
Testimonials
Our trade mission was wonderful. We were inspired by the ‘chutzpah’ of our Israeli healthcare colleagues to solve problems and get things gone. We also learned so much about how to create a culture of innovation and the value it can have to both patient care and economically. The trip led to several strategic partnerships and personal friendships. I can’t wait to go back!
2019 Women Leaders Trade Mission
2019 Women Leaders Trade Mission
14th – 20th Jun 2019
Leaders

Chief Executive
Business Council of Australia

Chairman, Smith Family And Non-Executive Director of iCare NSW, Mirvac, GBST, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, TAL and Clayton Utz
Overview
Media
Gallery
Testimonials
I found the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce Women’s Leaders Trade Mission to Israel to be a deeply inspiring and motivating experience. It challenged my thinking on many levels and left me with a broader understanding and appreciation of the world we all live in.
The Trade Mission was carefully curated to ensure the best provocateurs and thought leaders were on hand to share their perspectives on what makes Israel the standout Innovation / Startup Nation. The program was also crafted to ensure you were immersed in the culture, religion, geo-political and economic frameworks that make Israel the country that it is first, I found this made the difference to enhancing understanding, appreciation and comprehension.
The calibre of the delegates was world class – an impressive group of women who are all pioneering their respective industries whether that be in Government, Academia, Startup and or Big Company environments. And perhaps most rewarding – were the personal bonds, the new friendships that were forged out of sharing a deeply enriching experience together.
I would highly recommend the Women’s Trade Mission for anyone looking to elevate their thinking around innovation, leadership & how to inspire teams to think big, think differently and build purpose within our work and broader life environments.
Innovation Trade Mission
Innovation Trade Mission
22nd – 28th Mar 2019
Leader

Managing Partner
Gilbert + Tobin
Overview
Property Tech Trade Mission
2018
Property Tech Trade Mission
30th Nov – 6th Dec 2018
Leader

Chairman
Charter Hall

Principal and Co-owner
Buildcorp
Overview
Gallery
AICC – Tel Aviv University Trade Mission
AICC – Tel Aviv University Trade Mission
“Tech trends of the Future”
4th – 10th May 2018
Leader

Non Executive Director
Afterpay, NearMap, Pureprofile and Cabcharge Australia and past Managing Director – LinkedIn Australia
Overview

Gallery
Testimonials
AICC Women Leaders Trade Mission
AICC Women Leaders Trade Mission
20th – 26th Apr 2018
Leader

Chancellor, UOW & Chair
Swiss Re Life & Health Australia

Non Executive Director
Woolworths & Deputy Chair Australia Post
Overview
Gallery
Testimonials
It was a privilege to be hosted by the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce on its April 2018 Women Leaders Trade Mission to Israel.
The Mission was superbly curated, delivering a unique perspective into Israel’s innovation economy. along with a vast array of transferable insights for Australian business leaders and policy-makers.
Israel is positioning itself for future success through alignment of capital, education, research, policy, regulation and technology transfer to industry in the context of a clear and focussed national strategy. The Chamber served up leaders in each of these fields, each delivering a unique and complementary perspective.
The blend of speakers from both large and small businesses was perfectly mixed. As a data and AI professional, it was particularly inspiring to meet tech innovators grappling with many of the same challenges and opportunities we are facing into.
It was also invaluable to hear from policy makers who see their role as value creators over risk managers. Government has a clear strategy to embrace the data opportunity and set Israel’s innovators up for success which should provide inspiration for our own policy-makers.
The social program was also excellent, offering opportunities to network with the impressive cohort of Australian business leaders participating and a deeper understanding of the societal context for the Israeli commercial strategy and broader economy.
ANZAC
2017
ANZAC
Oct/Nov 2017
Leader

Chairman
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group

Ian Narev
Chief Executive Officer
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Overview
Led by David Gonski AC, Chairman of Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, and Ian Narev, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a group of 46 Australian senior business and academic leaders visited numerous businesses and academic and cultural locations to learn about Israel’s exceptional eco-system of innovation and entrepreneurship, with a special focus on cyber-security and education.
The mission was held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Light Horse Charge, and delegates also attended the Battle of Beersheva commemoration ceremony and visited the new ANZAC Museum.
Gallery
Testimonials
Well done AICC and thank you!
Renewable Energy, Water and Technology
Renewable Energy, Water and Technology
Sep 2017
Leaders

Overview
Led by Nicholas Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Macquarie Group, the mission was designed to showcase Israel’s successful ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship, with a focus on renewable energy, water and associated technologies.
Faced with a shortage of natural resources, Israel has developed world leading technology in renewable energy including solar energy, wave power and energy storage. It is also a world leader in water use efficiency with desalination, irrigation and agricultural production.
The mission embraced Israel’s success in these fields as an example of how Australia can combat its future energy and agricultural needs.
The objective of this mission was to expand collaborative business links, to understand Israel’s cluster methodologies & government support policies as well as to appreciate how the strategic integration of university and researcher inputs along the value chain is successfully achieved.
Gallery
Testimonials
Thank you once again for all the time and effort invested before and during the Trade Mission to make it a very intense, efficient and effective Mission. The mix of cultural activities and the way they were interspersed with the Trade activities was, for me, essential to understand the Israeli context that enables the Start-Up echo system. The Trade presentations and site visits were excellent and thus the combination of Trade and cultural activities was perfect – as was the size of the delegation.
I do feel very fortunate and privileged to have been able to attend and hope to be able to leverage the experience for Woodside in the near future.
It was a pleasure to lead the 2017 trade mission and see the innovation Israel is driving in renewable energy, water efficiency and technology. The AICC team tailored an itinerary that enabled us to experience Israel’s thriving business landscape and unique culture, making it an enthralling visit for everyone involved. As a result of the trade mission, Macquarie Group is now exploring opportunities in Israel, which shows how effective the AICC is in developing trade relationships between our two countries.
A lifelong dream came true when I had the opportunity to visit Israel in Sept 2017, as part of a trade delegation led by Macquarie Bank and organised by the AICC’s wonderful team.
The depth and breadth of companies we visited and met with, were very interesting and provided an extremely valuable insight into the innovation ecosystem in Israel. In addition to conscription and the ability to deal with failure, passion underlines everything an Israeli entrepreneur does to succeed.
The tour was organised with military precision. The support the delegates received throughout the tour and even before we arrived, was gratefully acknowledged by all. I know I speak for most of my colleagues on tour, when I say that the most valuable part of the tour was the cultural element which provided a remarkable opportunity to visit the most memorable and historically significant cultural centres in the world.
Thank you for inviting me, I will be eternally grateful and will cherish every moment.
I was a member of the Renewable Energy Trade Mission to Israel in September 2017. It was excellent.
The Mission had access to all facets of the industry, the programme was very well organised and used our time well, and we had good exposure to some of the key institutions that support the venture capital and tech industries in Israel.
All of this was leavened by a good dose of history, visits to cultural institutions, commentary on politics from impressive speakers and abundant Mediterranean meals. The size of the group was about right, so you could get to know people, and I think we all came away feeling that we had had a most useful and pleasurable experience.
Women Leaders Mission to Israel
Women Leaders Mission to Israel
June 2017
Leaders


Overview
Led jointly by Diane Smith-Gander, non-Executive Director of AGL Energy & Westfarmers Limited and The Hon. Helen Coonan, company director and former Senator, the mission was designed for high level engagement between Israel and Australian based female leaders. The mission focused on key sectors of Innovation, Big Data, predictive analytics, IoT, Retail Tech and Cyber Security.
Israel is recognised as a world leader in innovation, being ranked 3rd out of 144 countries in the WEF Innovation Rating (2015-2016). Through engaging with Israeli start-ups, venture capitalists and local leaders, the participants received valuable insight into how to promote innovation at home as well as networking with 40 of the top Australian female executives.
The objective of the mission was to explore business and investment opportunities in Israel as well as understanding its unique entrepreneurial culture and innovative ecosystem.
Gallery
Testimonials
It was incredible to visit Israel on a mission with Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce. This epicentre of culture and innovation delivered a lot of learning moments and sparked many new ideas as we experienced how Israel start-ups, government and education institutions create a wonderful ecosystem of growth and development. The opportunity to network with 40 fellow female participants, representing a broad range of backgrounds in Australian business, was also a highlight. What a unique experience to be a part of! I can’t thank Michelle and Jillian enough for their leadership and insight, both on the mission and throughout the year.
Food and Agri-Tech
2016
Food and Agri-Tech
Nov – Dec 2016
Leader

Overview
Led by Peter Schutz, Chairman, Food Innovation Australia, the mission was designed for Food & Agribusiness leaders to engage, collaborate and to learn from Israel’s success as a world leader in Food and Agribusiness innovation and commercialisation.
Israel is recognised for its world leading position in land and water management and sustainability, supply chain and logistics optimisation, support for innovation commercialisation and the sophistication and optimisation of advanced manufacturing processes.
The objective of this mission was to expand collaborative “Farm to Fork” Agribusiness links, to understand Israel’s cluster methodologies & government support policies as well as to appreciate how the strategic integration of university and researcher inputs along the value chain is successfully achieved.
Media
Gallery
Testimonials
Women Leaders Trade Mission
Women Leaders Trade Mission
May 2016
Leaders


Overview
The AICC’s inaugural all-women trade mission to Israel was led by prominent businesswomen Lucy Turnbull AO and Jillian Segal AO. The delegation attracted an impressive line-up of 36 high profile female non-executive directors, executive directors, CEOs and chairwomen who came together to learn from Israel’s unique and world-leading innovation eco-system.
The delegation featured University of Queensland’s Dr Jane Wilson, University of Sydney’s Chancellor Belinda Hutchinson, former Chief Information Officer of both Qantas and Telstra, Fiona Balfour, Lisa Sonnabend, COO at Macquarie Capital and Diane Smith-Gander, Chairman at Broadspectrum, to name a few.
As an active champion of gender equality, the AICC is delighted to have been the first Chamber spearheading an all women led trade mission, which the participants described as one of the most memorable business experiences of their lives.