Kickstart the year by attending GGA’s Lift Off ‘25. Exclusive to GGA members, this annual event is your chance to develop staff and volunteers, forge stronger connections within the network, gain valuable operational insights, and build working knowledge through interactive sessions—all while enjoying fun and relaxed social opportunities. Your group won’t want to miss it!
Who should attend
CEOs and EOs, as well as staff and operational volunteers from Committees and Boards, will benefit from investing time in attending Lift Off.
Come for the whole program or just the sessions most relevant to your operations. You’ll leave with improved relationships, updated working knowledge, and potential project collaborators. There are plenty of social opportunities at breaks, lunchtime, a sundowner, and a sit-down 3-course evening dinner.
It’s the ideal event to connect with the diverse GGA member community as well as gain a better understanding of GGA staff members and the areas they work in that can benefit your group.
Date & Venue
From 11.15 am Thursday 13 February – 1.30 pm Friday 14 February 2025.
Venue – Aloft Hotel – 27 Rowe Ave Bentley, WA 6103
Event Purpose
Lift Off aims to build alignment across the GGA network at the start of the year consolidating important working relationships, providing valuable operational updates and opportunities for capacity building.
Benefits of attending ‘Lift Off’
Do you need a business case to justify attending Lift Off? Here are the key reasons why your group should be in the room:
- Build your group’s profile, visibility and identify collaboration links with others
- Commence the working year with up-to-date information on opportunities
- Learn about other groups’ projects and discover knowledge to share with your farmers
- Engage with funders and RCD’s and hear about their performance expectation
- Providing input and engaging in two-way feedback sessions in a facilitated format
- Meet GGA staff, find out what they do, and how your group can benefit from their roles
- Receive the latest information on GGA’s direction
- Hear about the revenue flowing now, and in the future to GGA members from its work.
Program
*Program could be subject to change – some sessions still under development
Thursday 13 February
Earlybird arrival | 11.15am – 11.30am
Session 1 – Innovation – overview of the global innovation ecosystem, challenges, and opportunities for involvement through the ‘PropaGATE’ and ‘Reach’ initiatives and how to be part of the GGA innovation pilot group.
Lunch | 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Session 2 – Operational updates – project portfolio, network composition, member revenue
Session 3 – Meet the WA GGA network [around-the-room show and tell]
Afternoon Tea Break | 3.00pm – 3.15pm
Session 4 – [TBC] Capacity Building technical skills topic [picked from annual survey priorities]
Session 5 – [TBC] Funders / Research & Development Corporations [GRDC, MLA, others]
Poolside Sundowner | 5.00pm – 6.00pm
Session 6 – Meet the GGA team – group speed dating format during the 1 hour poolside sundowner [canapes and drinks]
Checkin and change for dinner | 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Optional Networking Dinner
7.00pm – 9.30pm
Build your connections with fellow GGA network groups and staff over a social 3-course sit down dinner at the Aloft. Have a laugh whilst getting to know each other as we play the ‘truth or lie’ game throughout the evening.
*Includes 3-course meal and some beverages.
Friday 14 February
Networking Breakfasts
Session 7 – Earlybird session 7.30-8.30am will be a working breakfast with staff members in similar roles as you from other groups. There will be 3 breakfast groups to choose from with special interest topics specific to each role discussed over breakfast.
Breakfast 1 – CEO / Executive Officers – hosted by Rikki Foss & leadership staff
Breakfast 2 – Project Officers – discuss topics and plans for the 2025 Researchers Professional Development Program – hosted by GGA project managers
Breakfast 3 – Communications Officers – hosted by GGA Comms staff – discuss a new idea for regular comms officer ‘Community of Practice’ catchups
* Standing breakfast with food included
Late arrival – from 8.30am – 8.45am
Session 8 – 2025 Capacity Building Program outline – we reveal members highest ranked priorities and what training activities will run in 2025 for groups to upskill.
Session 9 – [TBC] 30 min Capacity Building technical skills topic [To be picked from annual survey priorities]
Session 10 – 90 min Projects showcase – hear from fellow member groups about major projects they’ve been working on and discover new knowledge to extend to your own farming community. Lodge an EOI to present a project here.
Morning Tea Break | 11.00am – 11.15am
Session 11 – 60 min HR Roundtable -discussion on recruiting, retaining and possibly even sharing staff within the GGA network or interstate groups. Facilitated using the ‘world cafe’ format for collective problem-solving.
Close – key insights, actions and wrap-up of the event
Lunch – 12.30pm – 1.30pm
*Delegates can depart for home either at morning tea, before or after lunch depending on preferences.
Ticket Prices
Selected ticket prices have been subsidised by GGA and Farmanco
*All prices are inclusive of GST and GGA will cover ticketing fees from Eventbrite
Ticket 1 – $140 Both days [incl. all sessions, morning/arvo teas both days, 2 lunches, 1 sundowner, 3-course dinner, 1 breakfast]
Ticket 2 – $50 Thurs day only [incl. morn/arvo tea, 1 lunch, 1 sundowner ]
Ticket 3 – $100 Thurs all [incl. morn/arvo tea, 1 lunch, 1 sundowner, 3-course dinner]
Ticket 4 – $35 Sundowner only
Ticket 5 – $85 Thurs dinner only
Ticket 6 – $40 Friday [incl brekky, morn/arvo tea, 1 lunch]
Accommodation is an optional extra and priced at $220 / room [see further below]
Accommodation
GGA has negotiated special rates at the modern Aloft hotel of $220 a room or $110 twin share [we can pair you up]. Book rooms through the GGA event page by January 10. Prices go up after this date.
King $220 or $110 twin share
The Aloft is a modern, fresh hotel with great social spaces and comfortable air-conditioned rooms.
– Flat room rate of $220 for an ensuite room in King or Twin setup
– Cost is $220 per room not per person.
– Sharing the room with one other person halves the cost to $110 per person.
– 20 rooms have been held for the event – we will have to release rooms back so please book accom by Jan 10th.
Need a Roommate for Twin Share? – should you wish to book a twin share but don’t have a roommate, purchase your accommodation through the event ticketing platform, and we will attempt to pair you up with another guest from the network of the same sex.
Parking
Undercover Wilson parking is located underneath the Aloft [access via Rowe Ave]
Registration deadline
For catering and accommodation planning purposes, registrations close 4pm Monday 10 February, 2025.
Who’s going RSVP list
As registrations come in GGA will be periodically updating a RSVP register so you can connect with other guests in advance.
Browse the live guest list here
Enquiries
Carly Young | Event manager | cyoung@gga.org.au | 0408 175 825
Event Sponsors
Lift Off ’25 has been brought to the network with sponsorship by GGA and Farmanco
