Past Delegations

2023

Food and Agri-Tech

2016

Food and Agri-Tech

Nov – Dec 2016

Leader

Mr. Peter Schutz

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.

Testimonials

The access and influence the AICC have in Israel across Industry Leaders, Government Leaders and Cultural Leaders is incredible. Their willingness and ability to design and flex a trade mission to meet the needs and objectives of the participants was greatly appreciated. Beyond organising a trade mission, the AICC team have worked hard to enable ongoing connection and momentum back in Australia for the food and AgTech delegates. AICC want to enable, and also be part of the industry gaining insight to building bridges with Israel and supporting change in Australia. I greatly appreciated the openness to ideas and design input to the trade mission, and would recommend that anyone thinking about doing business in Israel, do so with the support of AICC.
Ben van Delden

Head of Markets & AgTech, KPMG

Women Leaders Trade Mission

Women Leaders Trade Mission

May 2016

Leaders

Lucy Turnbull
Lucy Turnbull AO
Jillian Segal AM

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.

Testimonials

Under every rock I’ve picked up on this mission in Israel I have found first a thought provoking question followed quickly by a valuable lesson. Of course it helps to have a sophisticated guide like the AICC to point you towards the right rock to pick up. There’s a spirit here that somehow allows enormous flexibility to co-exist with supportive structures – we’ve seen it most in the way universities partner flexibly with industry to ensure researchers’ ideas are commercialised. And they do it in a way that allows everyone at the table to be rewarded. Totally win, win.
Diane Smith-Gander

Non-Executive Director - Wesfarmers, Chairman - Broadspectrum

It was a full agenda, comprehensively covering all aspects of the start-up ecosystem. I found it of immense value and in particular have gained an insight into the Israeli psyche and the Israeli economy which are driving this start up environment. The Chamber have been thorough in their preparation. We have met leaders in academia, government, venture capitalists, accelerators, R&D groups and startups. Additionally, we have experienced ancient and modern Israel and have been guided by experts. It was also great fun.
Fiona Balfour

Non-Executive Director - Salmat, Metcash, TAL, Air Services Australia

The mission has let us see firsthand the innovation culture in Israel. It has inspired us to take real ideas and an entrepreneurial attitude back to our companies in Australia.
Yasmin Allen

Non-Executive Director - Cochlear, ASX, Santos

Mission Led by The Hon. Mike Baird MP, NSW Premier

Mission Led by The Hon. Mike Baird MP, NSW Premier

Apr 2016

Leaders

The Hon. Mike Baird MP

Overview

Led by NSW Premier Mike Baird, this mission was one of the most successful to date bringing together a diverse group of people including NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, NSW Chief Scientist Mary O’Kane and medical cannabis advocate Lucy Haslam; as well as senior state government and university leaders, key business executives and top entrepreneurs.

The group of more than 22 leaders, including 13 delegates from the NSW Government, came together to experience an unforgettable journey through Israel. Participants gained direct insights into the state of play in Israel, forging a deeper understanding of the ‘Startup Nation’ and how Australia can harness innovation as a nation.

The mission captured the hearts and minds of the Premier and delegates, including Teva Pharma Australia’s Managing Director, John Michailidis, who said, “The program was well thought out and allowed the delegates from all sectors to gain value from meeting with research institutions, universities, innovation incubators, commercial companies and government. Importantly, for me, it also allowed significant contacts to be made with other delegates that would otherwise not have been made.

NSW Premier Mike Baird thanked and congratulated the AICC and its NSW Chair and trade mission delegate, Jillian Segal, on the successful mission, “Your support, and the support of the Australia Israel Chamber of Commerce, in facilitating the program and bringing together elements of the innovation ecosystem ensured the mission was both enjoyable and a great success. It was inspiring to learn about Israel’s innovation ecosystem and to initiate a number of collaborative projects between Israel and NSW.”

Testimonials

The trade mission was extremely well organised and provided great insights, perspectives and introductions. Israel is a great case study on how need is the mother of innovation and how with the right focus and alignment across government, industry and academia incredible things can be achieved for an entire nation.
Alex Scandurra

CEO, Stone & Chalk

A unique way to explore Israel’s start up nation ecosystem with the additional benefit of being part of and getting to know others in the dynamic delegation. I took a lot from the experience!
Antony Green

Head of Real Estate, Macquarie Capital

Participating in the Premier’s Mission to Israel earlier this year was a tremendously valuable experience. I was very impressed by the level of innovation that exists in Israel and the proactive collaboration between government, industry and academia. It was apparent how Israel is deeply committed to fostering entrepreneurship and is truly an innovation ecosystem. I’ve brought many of my learnings back to NAB and continue to share stories and new ideas with both customers and colleagues.
Spiro Pappas

Executive General Manager, Global Institutional Banking, NAB

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