The Global Hemp Summit Australia will return in December, showcasing the role of industrial hemp in low-carbon construction.
The biennial event, founded in 2018 by hemp building pioneer and iHemp Victoria president Darren Christie, will be staged at Lardner Park in Gippsland from December 10–12.
Organisers said this year’s summit – which focuses on hemp innovation and commercialisation – would be the most comprehensive to date.
This edition will feature keynote presentations, live demonstrations and, for the first time, an on-site hemp crop.
Committee for Gippsland chief executive Tony Cantwell said the crop, delivered through a three-year pilot, would highlight the region’s potential to grow and process hemp.
“The Committee for Gippsland is proud to support iHemp Victoria through this pilot, which will help demonstrate the potential for growing and processing industrial hemp right here in Gippsland,” he said.
Keynote speakers include architect and sustainable design specialist Stephan Welshe, hemp carbon pioneer James Vosper, and Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance president Charles Kovess.
Christie said the summit represented a “historic opportunity” for the construction industry to engage with hemp as a sustainable material.
“We want to inspire collaboration that drives sustainable solutions,” he said.