Adelaide Convention Centre with Spirit Fest taking place on the promenade

Spirit Fest patrons enjoying tastings from local distillers

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Distillers SA 2024 Conference
Conference Program

2024 distillers south australia Conference Program

Crafting Success: Building from a strong foundation & seizing opportunities in the SA craft spirits sector

Our 2024 conference will be our biggest event to date with a full day program of local and national speakers, plenty of opportunity to network with fellow distillers and industry supply chain, and a side of local spirits to wash it all down.

You will hear from and engage with sector experts, learn from real-world case studies and have the chance to find out more about current opportunities and support programs for distilleries in SA. You will also leave with actionable strategies for navigating the current economic climate and for mastering sustained business growth in the future.

Download the 2024 Conference Program

CONFERENCE SPEAKER LINE-UP

Sarah Hall

Head of Spirits & Premix, Endeavour Group (Dan Murphy's & BWS)

Sarah Hall

Head of Spirits & Premix

Endeavour Group

With over 25 years of experience in retail and product development, Sarah is the Head of Spirits & Premix at Endeavour Group. Since joining Endeavour in 2021, Sarah has been instrumental in driving growth across the Spirits and Premix categories, focusing on customer-centric innovation and category transformation. Her expertise spans retail management, buying, and category leadership, having held key positions at David Jones, Payless Shoes Australia, and Big W. Sarah is passionate about leveraging consumer insights to deliver exceptional product experiences and is at the forefront of advancing Liquor retailing in Australia.

In her current role, Sarah oversees product strategy and development, ensuring the continued growth and success of the Spirits and Premix categories at Endeavour Group. Her dedication to both innovation and operational excellence makes her a key figure in the Australian Liquor industry.

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James France

Owner, Wholly Spirits

James France

Owner

Wholly Spirits

James France has spent more than 30 years in the spirits industry including six years in New York where he launched Don Julio tequila and was marketing director for The Macallan and Mount Gay. He brought Herradura, Ketel One and Hendrick’s to Australia before establishing Vanguard Luxury Brands in 2008.

Vanguard’s philosophy was “the best brands for the best bars”, bringing Four Pillars, Mr Black, Crawley’s, Marionette, Morris whisky and The Gospel to market, along with imported brands including Fortaleza and Michter’s. In 2021 he sold Vanguard and now runs his spirits consultancy, Wholly Spirits.

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Matt Remphrey

Owner & Executive Creative Director, Parallax Design

Matt Remphrey

Owner and Executive Creative Director

Parallax Design

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Matt Remphrey is surrounded by some of the world’s greatest wine regions. Perhaps it was inevitable drinks would become such a focus for the designer. Established in 2001, Parallax’s team of strategy, brand, packaging and digital specialists help clients define and position their brands in the market, make them famous and increase sales. Parallax pairs curiosity with their client’s vision of success to create transformative outcomes through strategic thinking, informed design and customised digital solutions.

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Hon Clare Scriven MLC

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development & Minister for Forest Industries

Hon Clare Scriven

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development

Minister for Forest Industries

Department of Primary Industries and Regions

Clare Scriven was raised in Mount Gambier and returned to the region with her family after living and working in Adelaide for some years.

Clare is committed to regional development, improving educational opportunities, supporting small business, and promoting the importance of primary industries sectors. Prior to entering Parliament in 2018, Clare’s career spanned forest industries, human resources, government policy and service delivery. Clare’s post-graduate studies in management and business have complemented her diverse working background.

Clare is passionate about regional communities. As a member of the Legislative Council, she represents all South Australians.

She and her husband, Gerard, have six children.

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Chester Osborn

Chief Winemaker & Viticulturist, d’Arenberg

Chester Osborn

Chief Winemaker and Viticulturalist

d’Arenberg

Chester d’Arenberg Osborn, is the fourth generation of the Osborn family to grow grapes and make wine on the McLaren Vale property purchased in 1912. Chester continues his family’s winemaking tradition, utilising the vineyards, original cellars and the traditional winemaking techniques handed down by his forefathers.

One of Chester’s greatest accomplishments is the d’Arenberg Cube. Inspired by the complexities and puzzles of winemaking, Chester created the idea of a cube-shaped building. In 2017, construction was completed on the d’Arenberg Cube, a five storey multi-function centre that appears to be floating among the vines. The d’Arenberg Cube houses the winery’s tasting room, a restaurant, private tasting areas, as well as an immersive art gallery.

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Peter Mauger

Principle Engineer, Bright Engineering

Peter Mauger

Founding Director & Principle Process Engineer

Bright Engineering

A chartered engineer, qualified brewer, and a qualified dangerous goods and hazardous area consultant. He’s worked in the food and beverage industries for over 20 years, focusing on brewing and distilling. He is a director of Bright Engineering Consultants, with 20 staff across Australia.

Peter has completed process and dangerous goods designs, and hazardous area classifications for distilleries with stills ranging from 10 L to over 5,000 L, and potable spirit storages up to 1.9 million litres in tanks, and more than 2 million litres in casks. His designs are operational throughout Australia and overseas.

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Ben Patten

Head of Destination, Barossa Australia

Ben Patten

Head of Destination

Barossa Australia

Ben Patten is the Head of Destination at Barossa Australia, recognized for his strategic leadership in tourism and hospitality. With over 20 years of experience in general management, marketing, and sales—including roles at Accor Hotels and 1834 Hotels—he has significantly impacted both domestic and international markets.

Passionate about wine, Ben plays a key role in integrating tourism with Barossa’s wine industry, fostering collaboration across sectors. Outside work, he enjoys exploring wines, supporting Liverpool FC, and spending time with family.

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Michael Kay

Partner Employment & Safety, Wallmans Lawyers

Michael Kay

Partner Employment and Safety

Wallmans Lawyers

Michael is a leading employment, safety and workers compensation lawyer in South Australia. Michael acts for employers in both an advisory and representative capacity, and regularly defends employers in all manner of employment and safety claims before the South Australian Employment Tribunal, the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Courts.

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safework sa

Safework SA

South Australia’s workplace health and safety regulator. Services include;

advice and education on work health and safety
provide licences and registration for workers and plant
investigate workplace incidents
enforce the work health and safety laws in South Australia.

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Paul McLeay

Chief Executive, Australian Distillers Association

Paul McLeay

Chief Executive

Australian Distillers Association

The Australian Distillers Association is a member-based peak industry body for Australian craft distillers and was founded in 2004. There are now 700 distilleries across Australia from Darwin to Davenport and from Margaret River to Manly – a marked increase since 2014, when Australia had just 28 distilleries.

Paul has a background in public policy, politics and government, previously running his own performance audit business and political roles including being the Minister for Ports and Waterways whilst a member of the NSW Parliament. McLeay has an MBA from AGSM, is Trustee of the Parliamentary Superannuation fund, is Fellow of the McKell Institute, and is the co-owner of Sydney based record label, Lazy Thinking Records.

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George Georgiadis

Never Never Distilling & Distillers SA President

George Georgiadis

President of Distillers SA

Managing Director, Never Never Distilling Co.

George is Co-Founder and Managing Director of Never Never Distilling Co. Following eight years building Never Never, George continues to lead the business after its acquisition by Asahi. He’s fearless in his quest for flavour, whether it be in gin or other spirits, coffee and cheese. “The nose knows” as they say.

George has travelled to hundreds of distilleries and the best cocktail bars across the world, and brings his experience to Never Never through their gins and limited releases.

Following a career in investment banking and private equity in Sydney, George is thrilled to have returned to South Australia and loves being part of our dynamic food and beverage industry. He particularly enjoys being based in the incredible region of McLaren Vale. George is Founding President of Distillers SA (established 2018), and a board member of Australian Distillers and Brand SA.

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2024 distillers south australia Conference Program

Download the 2024 Conference Program

CONFERENCE SPEAKER LINE-UP

Sarah Hall

James France

Matt Remphrey

Hon Clare Scriven MLC

Chester Osborn

Peter Mauger

Ben Patten

Michael Kay

safework sa

Paul McLeay

George Georgiadis

Book your tickets today

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