Creating healthy food environments for all Queenslanders.

Health and Wellbeing Queensland (HWQld) is leading on A Better Choice, a Queensland first public health approach designed to make it easier for Queenslanders to access healthy food and drink options in places outside the home. A Better Choice focuses on promoting food and drinks in line with the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, and uses a traffic light system to classify products according to their nutritional value. This innovative approach is paving the way for a healthier Queensland.

HWQld would like to extend a warm invitation to you for the inaugural A Better Choice Conference and Expo (ABC Expo), which will be held at the iconic Pat Rafter Arena located in the Queensland Tennis Centre on Tuesday 30 May 2023.

This exciting inaugural event will bring together audiences from school, sport and recreation, and healthcare sectors looking to provide healthier food and drinks in their settings. Decision makers from each of these sectors are invited to attend this one-day event of learning, essential networking opportunities and meeting sponsors and exhibitors throughout the day.

Why Attend? 

  • Build networks with peers who share your interests and connect with suppliers who specialise in healthy foods and drinks  
  • Expand your knowledge and discover what others in the sporting, school and healthcare spaces have done to showcase healthier options 
  • Walk away inspired, with new skills, ideas and approaches to make it easier to incorporate healthy changes into your club, school tuckshop, retail outlet or vending machine  
  • Gain new insights on the latest trends from our industry exhibitors 
  • Find out how you can get involved and access the tools that are available to help  
  • Play a key role in the movement towards creating healthy food environments across Queensland that will benefit generations. 

Event Details

Date Tuesday 30 May 2023
Time 8am – 4.30pm
Location Pat Rafter Arena, Queensland Tennis Centre, Tennyson, Brisbane 

Read venue and transport information

Registration Registration options include both in-person and online virtual attendance.

In-person registration includes all-day catering and event information pack. Virtual attendance registration includes live access to the online broadcast of the event, along with full recordings of all sessions provided afterwards.

  • In-person attendance: $55 (inc GST) per person
  • Virtual attendance: $35 (inc GST) per person

Register online to secure your ticket today.

Event Program

The program will feature a range of educational and informative sessions that cover everything from the latest trends in the Queensland food landscape, to practical strategies for marketing healthy options and boosting profits, and how other industry leaders have successfully implemented healthy changes, and so much more.

Speaker information will be added here once confirmed.

Program Summary 

8am

Arrival and Registration

Trade Exhibition open to attendees

9am

Opening Session

  • Welcome and Introductions, Victoria Carthew, Sports Journalist and Television Presenter (Master of Ceremonies)
  • Welcome to Country
  • Welcome on behalf of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Dr Robyn Littlewood, Chief Executive, Health and Wellbeing Queensland

Further speakers to be announced

9.30am

Keynote Address: Why we need healthier food environments

  • Anna Peeters, Alfred Deakin Professor, PhD, CF, GAICD
    Director, Institute for Health Transformation
    Professor of Epidemiology and Equity in Public Health, Deakin University
  • Judy Nean, Senior Director, Health Promotions
    Health and Wellbeing Queensland

10.15am

Panel Discussion: Why we need healthier food options

Speakers to be announced

10.45am

Morning Tea & Exhibitor Showcase

11.15am

Keynote Address: Marketing your healthy options whilst boosting revenue  

  • Michael Connelly, Managing Director, CPR Group

11.45am

Keynote Address: Engaging Volunteers

  • Tarah Ferguson, Volunteer/People & Culture Coordinator, Foodbank Queensland

12.15pm

Panel Discussion: Success stories/case studies showcasing what others have done and how

  • Madonna Jardine, Tuckshop Co-convenor, Cavendish Road State High School
  • Sara Begg, Tuckshop Convenor, Freshwater State School (Cairns)

12.45pm

Lunch Break & Exhibitions Showcase

1.45pm

Keynote Address: Influencing leaders

  • Dr Eleanor Glenn, Co-Director, Common Cause Australia

2.15pm

Panel Discussion: Healthy fundraising ideas

Speakers to be announced

2.45pm

Afternoon Tea Activation with ACS

Exhibition Showcase

3.15pm

Keynote Address: Making healthy happen with menus

Speaker to be announced

3.45pm

Closing Keynote

Speaker to be announced

4.15pm

Closing Remarks

4.30pm

Event concludes

This event program is subject to change.

Sponsorship and Exhibition Opportunities

Opportunities are available for business or suppliers looking to showcase the latest in healthy food and drink options to sponsor or exhibit at this event. This event is a prime opportunity to engage with attendees from the school, sport, recreation, and healthcare sectors who are passionate about exploring new ways to promote health and wellbeing through their offerings.

To find out more download the Sponsorship and Exhibition Prospectus and complete the Booking Form to secure your spot.

Thanking Our Sponsors and Supporters

The ABC Expo is convened by Health and Wellbeing Queensland with support from the Queensland Association of School Tuckshops, Parents & Citizens Queensland, Department of Education, Queensland Health Statewide Foodservices, and CPR Group. 

Last updated 24 March 2023