Cotton industry prepares for 2026 Australian Cotton Conference and awards
Registrations open for the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference as nominations begin for the industry awards.
What’s happening?
Registrations have opened for the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference, with the industry set to gather on the Gold Coast from 4 to 6 August 2026.
Registrations opened on 1 March for the flagship event, which will bring together growers, researchers, agronomists, supply chain partners and industry leaders from across Australia and overseas.
The three-day conference will run under the theme Future Fit Cotton. The theme focuses on how Australian cotton can adapt, innovate and remain competitive in a changing production, market and policy environment while continuing to lead globally as a sustainable and high-quality fibre.
Conference Chair and Macquarie cotton grower Angus O’Brien said the conference provides an important space for industry reflection and collaboration.
“The Australian Cotton Conference creates a forum for the industry to step back to critique and celebrate progress, look ahead at shared challenges and work together on what comes next,” Mr O’Brien said.
“In 2026 we’ll be exploring what cotton needs to do to remain future fit, from on-farm productivity and innovation, sustainability and science, to market access and global competitiveness.”
Delegates attending the conference can expect a practical program featuring leading research, real-world case studies, on-farm innovation and insights from experts within and outside the cotton sector.
At the same time, nominations have opened for the 2026 Australian Cotton Industry Awards. The awards recognise individuals and teams across the industry for their achievements, commitment to sustainability and adoption of best practice.
Cotton Australia CEO Adam Kay said the awards recognise the people who contribute to the success of the industry.
“The awards recognise more than success on the farm,” Mr Kay said.
“They also celebrate researchers, service providers, and emerging leaders, and showcase innovations that benefit the industry as a whole.”
Why it matters
The conference provides a national meeting point for people involved across the cotton value chain.
It allows participants to share knowledge, review progress and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Conference sessions will address sustainability and traceability, digital agriculture and data, soils and water stewardship, workforce and community wellbeing, market access and the role of science and policy.
The awards program complements the conference by recognising people whose work supports the long-term success of the industry.
For Goondiwindi grower and agronomist Grace Griffiths, the 2025 CRDC Chris Lehmann Young Achiever recipient, the awards have opened new leadership opportunities.
“Among other fantastic networking opportunities, receiving the CRDC Chris Lehman Young Achiever Award has given me the opportunity to take part in a CRDC-funded position on the Australian Rural Leadership Program TRAIL program,” Ms Griffiths said.
“TRAIL is an outstanding program that I am incredibly excited to take part in, an opportunity I likely would not have had otherwise.”
Local impact
The Gold Coast will host thousands of industry delegates during the conference.
Participants are expected from across the cotton supply chain, including growers and their families, farm employees, agronomists, researchers and scientists, students and educators, industry organisations, suppliers, merchants, ginners, spinners, manufacturers, brands and retailers.
Delegates will also take part in networking opportunities and social events designed to help people connect in a welcoming and family-friendly environment.
The conference is overseen by a volunteer industry committee and raises funds for a nominated charity.
By the numbers
3 days of industry discussions – The Australian Cotton Conference will run from 4 to 6 August 2026 on the Gold Coast, bringing the industry together for learning, networking and collaboration.
More than 150 exhibitors – The Cotton Trade Hall is expected to host over 150 exhibitors showcasing machinery, technology, products and services supporting Australian cotton.
Five award categories – The 2026 Australian Cotton Industry Awards recognise achievements across growers, researchers, service providers and industry leaders.
Zoom in
A central feature of the conference is the Cotton Trade Hall, which acts as a hub for industry engagement.
The exhibition will feature machinery, technology, products and services supporting cotton production and supply chain activity.
The Australian Cotton Industry Awards are open for nominations across five categories:
Individuals and teams can be nominated, with entries closing on 2 April.
Zoom out
From this year, the Australian Cotton Industry Awards will move to a two-year cycle.
This approach allows the industry to recognise recipients during the Australian Cotton Conference while delivering a larger Grower of the Year Field Day in alternating years.
The 2026 conference will also introduce a new visual identity and website reflecting a modern and forward-looking cotton industry built on innovation, sustainability, collaboration and community.
The new website is now live and will serve as the central hub for conference information, including registration, program updates, sponsorship and exhibition opportunities.
What to look for next
The 2025 Bayer Cotton Growers of the Year, Merrilong Agriculture, will host the Grower of the Year Field Day at Spring Ridge, New South Wales, on 18 March.
The event will allow attendees to see the research trials, efficiency initiatives and on-farm innovations that contributed to their award-winning practices.
“The Field Day is a great opportunity for Merrilong to showcase some of the key consults and strategies that have been implemented on this farm and hopefully everyone will be able to take something away from the day,” Merrilong Agriculture’s Jock Brownhill said.
The field day is designed to showcase the Grower of the Year’s farm and give people across the industry the chance to celebrate success while learning from each other.
“With the full breadth of the industry in one place, the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference is shaping up to be an event not to be missed,” Mr O’Brien said.