• Karren Challoner-Miles
    Karren Challoner-Miles
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Visual Connections has appointed Karren Challoner-Miles as executive general manager – Association, effective immediately. This appointment follows a restructuring of the organisation, which also saw Sarah Moore promoted to general manager – Trade Shows and Events.

Mitch Mulligan, president of Visual Connections, commented on the selection process. “We were impressed and encouraged by the calibre of candidates who expressed interest in the role, but Karren’s experience and qualifications made her the obvious choice to lead Visual Connections into the future,” he said.

Challoner-Miles brings extensive experience in marketing, brand management, and product leadership across various sectors, including energy, technology, telecommunications, and publishing. Her background includes managing marketing strategies for both private and board-led organisations across the Asia-Pacific region.

“I’m excited to join the association and to capitalise on all the great work outgoing CEO Peter Harper has achieved during his 18-year tenure,” said Challoner-Miles. “I’m fortunate that I can work alongside him for the next few weeks and benefit from his extensive knowledge of the industry.”

With an established schedule of events for the upcoming year and plans for the flagship PacPrint exhibition in Sydney in May, Mulligan expressed confidence in the transition. 

“We have a strong team in place at Visual Connections, and I know Karren’s expertise and leadership will complement their operational strengths and deep industry knowledge as we seek to support a sustainable future for the industry.”

Mulligan welcomed Challoner-Miles, stating, “It really is the start of a new era.”

Food & Drink Business

The team that shook up Australia’s cracker market segment is back, this time with the snack category in its sights. After selling Gourmet Food Holdings and brands including OB Finest and Olina’s Bakehouse to Mondēlez International in early 2021, the seasoned FMCG operators have launched SnackHQ and its first brand, ReFil.

Victorian food manufacturer and distributor, Katoomba Global Foods (KG Foods), has acquired Paris Creek Farms (PCF) from Maggie Beer Holdings (MBH), three years after the company first announced it would offload its dairy assets.

The latest research from IWSR has shown that overall growth is slowing in Asia Pacific’s beverage alcohol scene. A market that has previously been strongly driven by Australia is undergoing significant change as alcohol consumption declines, with emerging regions taking the lead.