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Join industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers at FutureProof 2026. Sponsorship places your brand at the centre of the conversation, connecting you directly with the pulp, paper, packaging, and bioproducts sector across Australasia. We offer tangible benefits and high-impact opportunities that showcase your expertise, build relationships, and position your organisation as a trusted partner in shaping the industry’s future. DOWNLOAD THE PROSPECTUS TO EXPLORE WHAT'S ON OFFER Sponsorship enquiries: |
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Exhibition Opportunities at FutureProof 2026
The FutureProof 2026 Exhibition is the hub of the conference — a space where delegates, suppliers, innovators, and service providers connect. Located alongside the main program at Hyatt Place Melbourne, the exhibition gives companies direct access to decision-makers and industry leaders across pulp, paper, packaging, and fibre-based bioproducts.
DOWNLOAD THE SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION PROSPECTUS
Why Exhibit?
Showcase Solutions: Demonstrate your products, services, and innovations to a highly targeted audience.
Build Relationships: Network with mill managers, researchers, suppliers, and customers in a focused setting.
Enhance Visibility: Position your brand alongside Australasia’s leading forum for fibre-based industries.
Engage Delegates: Exhibitor tables are located in the catering and networking area, ensuring steady traffic and conversations throughout the event.
What’s Included?
- Table display in the exhibition area
- Two full conference registration
- Logo recognition in the program and slides
- Opportunities to connect with delegates during breaks, lunches, and networking functions
Who Should Exhibit?
Technology providers, equipment suppliers, consultants, universities, research organisations, training and workforce partners, and solution providers supporting the transition to a smarter, more sustainable industry.
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FutureProof 2026 offers multiple ways to share your expertise, from formal presentations and practical case studies to interactive panels, roundtables, and poster sessions — giving contributors the opportunity to showcase insights, spark discussion, and shape the future of fibre-based industries. KEY DATES RESOURCES |
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CONTRIBUTION OPPORTUNITIES
A) Conference Presentations – 15 min talk + 5 min Q&A
- Format: A short, focused presentation followed by audience questions.
- Content: Typically research findings, technical updates, project outcomes, or thought-leadership insights.
- Style: More formal, like a mini-paper presentation. It is about sharing knowledge, analysis, or perspectives with the audience.
B) Best Practice in Action Case Study – 15 min talk + 5 min Q&A (practical)
- Format: Same duration as above but framed around a practical case study from industry or operations.
- Content: Walks the audience through a real example—what was done, how it was implemented, challenges faced, lessons learned, and measurable outcomes.
- Style: Practical and applied, designed to show best practice in action that others can learn from and potentially replicate in their own workplace.
C) Curated Sessions – Nominations Welcome
These are interactive panels or roundtables organised by the Program Committee. Contributors may nominate themselves (or others) to join a panel or roundtable.
- Panels (40 mins): Contribute as a panellist in a moderated discussion.
- Roundtables (50–60 mins): Join interactive discussions on capability, safety, sustainability, and innovation.
D) Posters
- Format: A visual presentation displayed during the conference, allowing for informal discussion with delegates.
- Content: Research findings, innovative projects, technical solutions, or case studies relevant to fibre-based industries.
- Style: Concise and visually engaging. Posters should follow the Appita submission guidelines.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- Submissions to be made online at Appita.com before 15 Oct 2025
- Presentation and poster abstracts: max 300 words. See Abstract Guidelines
- Curated Session Nomination: Short statement (max 300 words) describing the proposed contribution and its value to the discussion.
- Include your name, affiliation, email address, and a brief biography (50 words) with your submission.
Contributors must register by 15 Nov 2025 to secure a spot in the program.
ABOUT FUTUREPROOF 2026
The Appita Annual Conference is the leading forum for the pulp, paper, packaging, and bioproducts industry in Australasia.
The 2026 theme, FutureProof, reflects our shared ambition to build a high-performing, future-ready sector. Over two days, FutureProof 2026 will connect leaders, engineers, operators, supervisors, researchers, and supply chain partners to explore market trends, technical advancements, and practical strategies for improving performance, building capability, and driving sustainable innovation.
Why Attend FutureProof 2026
Join Australasia’s leading forum for the pulp, paper, packaging, and bioproducts industry to:
- Discover market trends and emerging technologies that will shape the future of fibre-based industries.
- Learn best practices in performance improvement, troubleshooting, and process optimisation.
- Engage in structured knowledge sharing.
- See how capability, sustainability, and innovation intersect in future manufacturing.
- Access tools and techniques that support leadership and decision-making at every level.
CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS NOW OPEN!
Share your expertise and contribute to shaping the future of our industry.
Who should attend?
Engineers, operators, researchers, supervisors, managers, industry suppliers, and supply chain partners across the fibre, pulp, paper, packaging, and bioproducts sector.
Informal drinks and networking to close the conference.
Registration + Networking + YPN Networking
Check-in, welcome coffee, and Young Professionals Network event.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Appita President.
Sponsors Opening Keynote
Panel: Building Skills for a Future-Ready Industry
Redefining roles in the age of automation. The importance of structured training, continuous learning, and agility. How skills development is evolving in an AI-enabled, automated industry.
Morning Tea
Networking break and refreshments.
New Speaker Competition Final
An exciting opportunity for emerging voices in the pulp and paper industry to showcase their knowledge and presentation skills. Winners from the Australian and New Zealand runoffs compete in the final event.
Australian Winner & New Zealand Winner.
Roundtable Conversations: Building Capability for the Future Mill
What capabilities will be essential in tomorrow's mill — and how do we start building them today? Participants will explore the skills, behaviours, and systems required to operate a modern, adaptive mill through structured conversation and peer insights.
Key Takeaways + Action Planning — Complete Action Card with three takeaways.
Networking Lunch + Learning Zone + Poster Presentations
Catered lunch with interactive learning opportunities.
Streams Choose One
Stream A — Technical Knowledge in Action Workshop
Practical, peer-driven workshop to deepen technical understanding and build confidence in solving problems on the floor. Focus on process variability, troubleshooting, and connecting fibre properties to product outcomes.
Stream B: Smart Packaging Forum - Building Capability for Smarter, Sustainable Packaging
Join innovators and industry leaders to reimagine the future of sustainable packaging and responsible materials — blended format featuring keynote insights, expert panels, and interactive roundtable discussions.
Afternoon Break
Refreshments and networking.
Streams Choose One
Stream A: Technical Knowledge in Action Workshop
Workshop continued.
Stream B: Smart Packaging Forum - Building Capability for Smarter, Sustainable Packaging continued
This forum examines how advancements in sustainable packaging materials, recycling technologies, and innovative testing and measurement methods are shaping the future of manufacturing. Participants will explore how collaborative research and industry partnerships can drive innovation, inform emerging standards, and build the technical and leadership capability needed to deliver on Australia’s sustainability and regulatory goals.
After-session Networking
Informal networking and wrap-up discussions.
Registration + Coffee
Morning check-in and networking with coffee.
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Appita President
Recognising Excellence
Awards ceremony recognising outstanding contributions.
New Speaker Competition Announcement and Appita Recognition Awards
Opening Keynote
Future-Ready Manufacturing: Strategies for tomorrow's competitive landscape.
Panel: Market Outlook
Where Fibre is Headed — Industry experts discuss market trends, opportunities, and challenges.
Morning Tea
Networking break and refreshments.
Streams Choose One
Stream A: Smarter, Faster, Cleaner
The Next Wave of Process Innovation — presentations exploring cutting-edge technologies and methodologies transforming manufacturing processes.
Stream B: Energy & Renewables Forum
Powering the Mill: Cutting Cost and Carbon — blended format with keynote inputs, expert panels, and facilitated roundtable discussions on sustainable energy solutions.
In-stream presentation/panel/roundtable timings TBA.
Networking Lunch
Catered lunch with networking opportunities.
Streams Choose One
Stream A: Best Practice in Action
Showcase presentations featuring real-world implementations and success stories from industry leaders.
Stream B: Energy & Renewables Forum continued
Powering the Mill: Cutting Cost and Carbon — blended format with keynote inputs, expert panels, and facilitated roundtable discussions on sustainable energy solutions.
In-stream presentation/panel/roundtable timings TBA.
Afternoon Tea
Networking break and refreshments.
Executive Panel
Senior industry leaders discuss strategic topics.
Facilitated Roundtable Discussions
What's Needed to Future Proof Our Industry & Wrap up — Interactive discussions to close Day 2.
Drinks & Networking
Informal drinks and networking to close the conference.
Appita Executive Committee /Industry Executive Dinner & Meeting (Invitation Only)
Executive Committee and Industry Leaders' Dinner Meeting.
