An award-winning global agri-food industries leader has been appointed the new independent chair of Ag Shows Australia (ASA).
Jacqueline Wilson-Smith from the Sunshine Coast replaces retiring chair Dr Rob Wilson AM who has guided the ASA since its inception in 2016.
Ms Wilson-Smith brings extensive experience over 30 years across a range of agri-food industries and membership-based organisations including Fortune 500 company McCormick and Company, Kraft Foods and Gourmet Garden.
She has held senior international executive roles in strategic marketing, branding, product promotion, market development, design thinking, R and D, innovation, commercialisation and stakeholder engagement.
She is currently director of a range of organisations including Meat and Livestock Australia, Apples and Pears Australia and the Sustainable Innovation Company, as well as chair of the AgriFutures Ginger Research Advisory Panel.
Ms Wilson-Smith said she was delighted to have been appointed to the role and paid tribute to the outstanding achievements and advocacy of retiring chair Dr Wilson.
“He leaves an incredible legacy,“ she said. “During his tenure, he was instrumental in obtaining almost $100 million in federal Government funding including grants and covid funding.
“This funding proved vital to financially sustaining more than 580 agricultural show societies and royal shows, which could not operate during the pandemic years.
“For more than 200 years, agricultural shows have brought people together across the nation with one in six people attending a show each year and this funding was critical in ensuring this remarkable legacy continued.”
Ms Wilson-Smith said Dr Wilson had strongly advocated the important role the agricultural show movement plays in the nation’s social and cultural heritage while generating $965 million for the economy annually.
“We are most grateful for Rob’s incredible efforts in bringing the show societies together to form one unified body representing their interests eight years ago,” she said.
Ms Wilson-Smith said she was passionate about AgShows offering a powerful platform to unite communities, welcome new Australians and present opportunities in agriculture.
“I believe the show movement is something every Australian should be proud of, providing valuable connection points such as town to country, farm to plate and insight into rural life,’’ she said.
ASA represents more than 580 shows nationwide and works to engage, influence and promote the essential value of Australian agriculture.
