Applications are now closed for the Appita New Speaker Competition Runoffs. This is an exciting opportunity for emerging voices in the pulp and paper industry to showcase their knowledge and presentation skills.
KEY DATES RUNOFF
Australian Runoff 2026 - Date TBC
New Zealand Runoff 2026 - Date TBC
The winners of the Runoff Competition will receive a trophy, a cash prize, and a complimentary registration to attend the Appita Annual Conference. Each runner-up will receive a cash prize. The competition is restricted to three entrants.
The winner of the New Speaker Final will receive a $2,000 professional development grant, and the runner-up will receive a $1,000 grant. This could include overseas travel, attending a training course, conference or mill visits, visits to research institutions, etc. It could also be used as an add-on to work-related travel but must be used within the next 12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
Entrants must be members of Appita (non-members are invited to join to become eligible). They must not have previously made a formal presentation to an industry peer audience outside their organisation/place of work/tertiary institution.
Rules
- May be on any topic relevant to the pulp & paper industry.
- Must be presented for the first time at this competition: papers presented previously at any other conference or seminar are ineligible.
- Must comply with the conditions specified for presentations at the Appita Annual Conference, i.e., 20 minutes presentation, 10 minutes Q&A.
- Must not be a commercial sales pitch.
- Must be the speaker’s own material and be original.
- Presentation time is 20 minutes, plus 10 minutes for Q&A.
Judging Criteria
Click HERE to view the judging criteria
How to Apply
Entering the Appita New Speaker Competition as a first-time presenter is both exciting and rewarding.
Here's how:
- Complete the submission form—CLICK HERE—and provide a concise overview of your topic and explain why it's relevant to the industry. As a first-time presenter, we encourage you to highlight your unique perspective.
- Craft a compelling 300-600-word abstract that captures the essence of your proposed presentation and showcases the value and impact of your ideas.
- Speakers' bio and current image (300 dpi jpeg) must accompany the submission.
- Share any relevant academic achievements, research projects, or industry experiences demonstrating your passion for the pulp, paper, packaging, or bioproducts sector.
- Submit your application before the deadline of 1st August 2024.
If you have any questions or need guidance, please reach out to our dedicated team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +61 3 9467 9722.
