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Entries close soon for the 2019 APPMA Awards of Excellence, with more than half of the tickets already sold for the gala dinner at AUSPACK in March.

The dinner features a sustainability theme this year, with even the menu designed to reduce food waste. According to Mark Dingley, APPMA chair, there has been plenty of interest already.

“There are only 450 tickets available for the Gala Awards Ceremony and these are already over half sold. It’s fantastic to see people so keen to share in this night of networking, and celebrating innovation and our industry in general.”

Award entries close on 26 January, and Dingley urges anyone looking to participate to get their submissions in before the date, as well as book their tickets for the event.

“AUSPACK is only three months away, so I encourage people to get in quickly and secure their tickets for the Gala Awards Ceremony. I also strongly encourage exhibitors and APPMA members to get their Award submissions in before the due date.

“You can enter as many of the five categories as you like. Aside from winning and being a finalist, there are so many benefits to entering these national awards, so submit now,” he said.

This year’s categories are Best New Product, Customer Collaboration Award, Design Innovation Award, Export Success Award, and Imported Equipment Award. For more information, visit www.auspack.com.au/awards.

Food & Drink Business

The Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology’s flagship annual convention, AIFST26, will run concurrently with foodpro 2026 on 27-28 July at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Cobram Estate Olives (CBO) has formally claimed a purchase price adjustment of up to US$31.9 million on its California Olive Ranch (COR) acquisition and expects to pay no earn-out on the deal, as the Australian producer works through the completion of its largest ever transaction.

Maggie Beer Holdings (MBH) has pushed back the expected timing of its proposed $10 million sale of Hampers and Gifts Australia (HGA), with completion now targeted for February 2027 rather than a binding agreement signed by the end of this month.