Almost 20 Border restaurants, clubs, pubs and cafes have registered their signature lamb dishes for the  #AlburyLovesLamb challenge.

During the the conference people dining at the participating restaurants can vote for their favourite dish using the social media hashtag #alburyloveslamb.

"We all know #alburyloveslamb but let's prove it,” Albury mayor Henk van de Ven said.

“I challenge every single resident to dine out on lamb at a local venue during LambEx.

"I can't wait to see what the people of Albury vote as their No. 1 lamb dish."

Visitors to LambEx on August 10-12 – the largest conference in Albury since 2010 when 800 NSW Local Government Association delegates visited – are expected to add at least $2m to the Border economy during the three-day conference.  

LambEx chairman Rodney Watt said there was plenty of industry interest in the first conference to be held in regional NSW.

“Very much so,” he said.

“We had to close off tickets at 920 for the dinner and all up across the three days we’re expecting over 1000.”

Former North Melbourne forward Sam Kekovich will be the guest speaker for the sold-out GrandsLAMB dinner.

For the past decade Kekovich has been the face of Meat and Livestock Australia’s annual Australia Day campaign to encourage people to eat more Australian lamb.

The satirical ads have also annually drew controversy for labelling sections of the community un-Australian for not eating lamb on Australia Day.

LambEx begins with pre-conference tours to Riverina and North East farms, and the Young Gun’s presentation sessions on Wednesday before Mr Watt officially opens the event at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre that evening.

Albury council will continue the celebration of all things farming and farmers with an AgFest in QEII Square on Saturday.

The AgFest, between 10am and 2pm, will feature sheep dog trials, shearing demonstrations, wool classing, bush dancing, country music by Danny Phegan and Longreach, pony rides, craft beers and a "Lamb-BQ".

LambEx 2016 Program: