Delegates: 2000
When: June 7 – 11, 2014
Where: Halls KJHFG + Original Plenary Hall

Since 1969, the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) has been meeting regularly to respond to changes and developments in aquaculture science, technology and education.

With a theme of ‘Create, Nurture, Grow’, the 45th World Aquaculture Conference was held in Adelaide in June 2014, attracting more than 2000 delegates from 66 countries around the world – making it the largest primary industry conference in the Asia Pacific region for many years.

It was only the second time that the Conference was held in Australia, with the Adelaide Convention Centre playing a role in securing the global event for Adelaide alongside the South Australian Government and key local partners including the SA Tourism Commission and the Adelaide Convention Bureau.

World Aquaculture Adelaide provided an opportunity for the international aquaculture community – including academics, industry researchers, market and industry analysts, government officials, policy makers and industry representatives – to present their work and exchange ideas to develop a vision for the future of the aquaculture industry.

Functional and Vibrant spaces

Made up of more than 3000 members from 100 countries, the WAS invited conference delegates to help develop new and existing ideas to stimulate the vital aquaculture industry.

Eighty individual sessions were conducted as part of the global conference, with the Adelaide Convention Centre function space set up to allow delegates to move from one session to another with ease.

Twelve parallel sessions and a plenary were held on opening day alone – with Convention Centre staff on hand to ensure transitions within the program of events went smoothly and delegates were directed to the appropriate sessions.

Meeting rooms of varying sizes were a must for conference organisers, with multiple spaces required to host parallel sessions throughout the five day event.

Delegates noted that the spaces offered by the Convention Centre made the busy program more manageable and the support from the Centre’s management team was greatly appreciated.

Exhibitors also recognised the easy-access booths which were positioned in ideal locations making it easy for organisers to offload and pack up their event stations.

Reference was made to the diverse event program and the Centre’s large open spaces – ideal for an event of this magnitude and complexity.

Showcasing Adelaide to the World

As one of the leading aquaculture states in Australia, it was most appropriate for the event to be held in Adelaide – with the Adelaide Convention Centre the logical venue for a conference of this size and scope.

Of the 2000 delegates, more than 700 had travelled from overseas and were visiting Adelaide for the first time, making the Conference a key opportunity to showcase the state to our global visitors.

The Centre’s proximity to the CBD – including shops, restaurants, Adelaide Oval and new Riverbank Precinct gave delegates much to see and do.

Its proximity to public transport – including the tram network – was vital for delegates who were staying out of the city centre, providing an easy and free means to travel to and from the Conference.

Next to pubs, restaurants and accommodation – tram etc. Fantastic that the centre is so

The city also provided a gateway to other key aquaculture regions within the state – with delegates visiting South Australian industry hubs on the Eyre Peninsula, including Oyster, Abalone, Yellowtail Kingfish and Tuna farming operations in Port Lincoln, Boston Bay, Arno Bay, Kellidie Bay and Coffin Bay.