Vegetables Australia May-June

After many months of planning, the ground-breaking event in Australian horticulture, Hort Connections 2017,

will arrive at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Growers, supply chain members, government stakeholders and

industry service providers are set to gather for three days of presentations, social and networking events plus

an expansive Trade Show.

WHAT’S ON AT HORT CONNECTIONS 2 017

AUSVEG, together with the Produce Marketing Association Australia-

New Zealand (PMA A-NZ), is proud to be hosting the largest event in

Australian horticulture, Hort Connections 2017, from 15-17 May.

Combining the National Horticulture Convention and PMA Fresh

Connections, Hort Connections will build on the success of the two

previous events, incorporating a thought-provoking speaker line-up,

an expansive Trade Show and unparalleled networking opportunities.

DAY ONE

Preceding Hort Connections is the annual Horticulture Field Day

on Monday 15 May. This year, the field day will focus on pest and

disease detection and management and will include a tour of the

TORO factory, the South Australian Research and Development

Institute and a local Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection field

trial site at Eastbrook Farms.

Hort Connections will officially open with the Welcome Reception

at 6:00pm, before delegates take their first look at the Trade Show,

sponsored by Fresh Markets Australia and the Central Markets

Association of Australia, from 6:30pm until 9:00pm.

DAY TWO

The speaker program on day two of Hort Connections features

an exciting array of industry experts from Australia and overseas

who will discuss a range of important issues within the

horticulture industry.

Leading the plenary sessions on Tuesday 16 May is Assistant

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator the Hon. Anne

Ruston, who will provide an insight into the Federal Government’s

priorities for Australian horticulture in the coming months. She will

be joined by Bega Cheese Executive Chairman Barry Irvin who has

led his team through a period of business growth while at the same

time chairing Sydney-based charity Giant Steps, which provides

services to children and young adults with autism.

The Global Innovations in Horticulture Seminar will return again

in 2017, providing a valuable opportunity for levy-paying growers to

gain an insight into leading technologies overseas. Held on Tuesday

from 12:40pm-5:00pm, the seminar will feature world-leading

speakers in farming technology, including AgFunder co-founder and

Chief Investment Officer Michael Dean, who will discuss the San

Francisco-based online investment platform for global agriculture

and food technology.

Capping off day two is the popular DuPont Theme Night, which will

provide the perfect setting for delegates to unwind and network with

other industry members. This year’s ‘Australiana’ theme night will

commence at 6:00pm and is not to be missed.

DAY THREE

On Wednesday 17 May, Hort Connections will host a Mental Health

Panel, led by beyondblue Chairman the Hon. Jeff Kennett AC. It

also includes ‘Talk to a Mate’ employee and qualified mental health,

alcohol and drug support worker Mal Coutts, Young Potato People

founder Stuart Jennings and South Australian Country Women’s

Association State President Linda Bertram. The discussion, running

from 9:00am-9:50am, is set to focus on addressing mental health in

regional and rural areas.

Following this will be a one-hour ‘State of the Industry’

presentation from AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside and PMA A-NZ

CEO Darren Keating, who will discuss the current issues impacting

their respective industries.

There are seven speaker streams scheduled on day three,

which includes the Workplace Relations Symposium and the

launch of Growcom’s Fair Farms Initiative (see page 14 for

more information).

Another highlight of the day is the Women in Horticulture

event, which is open to all delegates and will take place at the

InterContinental Adelaide from 2:30pm-4:00pm. Speakers include

Senator Ruston, Eat.Drink.Innovate Pty Ltd founder Susie White and

ABC presenter Tonya Roberts, who will emcee the event. Celebrity

chef Geoff Jansz will perform a cooking demonstration with

local produce while Horticulture Innovation Australia Relationship

Manager Christian Patterson will discuss levy-funded projects. The

event will conclude with the announcement of the 2017 Women in

Horticulture award winner.

The annual Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner will provide the

perfect close to the event, celebrating the achievements of leading

growers in the horticulture industry.

For more information about speakers and events taking place at Hort

Connections 2017, please visit

hortconnections.com.au.

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