The biggest event in Australian horticulture is almost here! AUSVEG looks forward to welcoming delegates to Hort Connections 2022, and this year there are few key program updates. The changes to the event program are set out to increase opportunities for grower-to-grower networking, and for wholesalers and exhibitors to engage in dedicated exhibition time.

Where: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

When: 6-8 June

Hosted by: AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia & New Zealand

Forging connections

Join us for a wide array of networking events across three days!

Hort Connections 2022 kicks off with the Welcome Reception, which will take place on Monday 6 June at 4:30pm. Once formalities are completed, delegates can check out the Trade Show until 6:30pm. The Trade Show will be in Exhibition Halls 1 and 2 and is proudly sponsored by Australia’s Fresh Produce Markets.

The Boomaroo Nurseries-sponsored Women in Horticulture event returns in 2022. This will take place on Tuesday 7 June, and will feature guest speakers Catherine Velisha, Managing Director of Velisha Farms and Shanna Whan, CEO and Founder of Sober in the Country.

The National Awards for Excellence will take place at the Hort Connections 2022 Gala Dinner on Wednesday 8 June.

There will also be a chance to network and reconnect with industry members at the Happy Hour, which is taking place in the Trade Show from 5-6pm on Tuesday 7 June. This is sponsored by Nufarm.

Following the Happy Hour, a grower networking event is being hosted by AUSVEG at Southbank Beer Garden. This is exclusive to vegetable and potato growers.

Celebrating industry leaders

The National Awards for Excellence will be presented at the Hort Connections 2022 Gala Dinner.

This capstone event acknowledges and recognises the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies to the horticulture industry. The Gala Dinner, sponsored by Costa Group, will be held on Wednesday 8 June from 7pm following pre-dinner drinks in the foyer.

Guest speakers

Tune in to hear from a range of presenters across a wide variety of topics that impact the fresh produce industry

Jane Bunn

Meteorologist, Founder and CEO of janesweather.com

Jane Bunn is a highly credentialed meteorologist with an infectious enthusiasm for the weather. As Channel 7 Melbourne’s resident weather forecaster and presenter, Jane is featured on the 6pm and 4pm news, as well as national bulletins and special events.

Jane will be discussing how to take advantages of the weather to maximise farming opportunities on Wednesday 8 June, as part of the Growing and Farming Stream on Wednesday 8 June.

Justin Dry

A multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Justin will share the many lessons he has learned in the building of Vinomofo. Launched in April 2011 from a little garage in Adelaide, Vinomofo has grown quickly and profitably to a run rate of over $50 million revenue, 500,000 members and a team of 100.

Justin is the keynote speaker at the Perfection Fresh Breakfast on Tuesday 7 June from 8-9am, sponsored by Perfection Fresh Australia.

Shane Quinn

National Sales Manager, Mulgowie Farming Company

Shane Quinn has extensive experience in the fresh produce sector. He spent his early career in Ireland and the United Kingdom as a retail buyer before moving to Australia, where he has worked building high-quality value chains in table grapes, bananas, mangoes and avocados.

Shane’s presentation ‘Why farmers will be the central bankers of the 21st century’ will be featured in the Growing and Farming Stream on Wednesday 8 June.

Bernard Salt

Executive Director, The Demographics Group

Bernard Salt is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading social commentators. Bernard heads The Demographics Group, which provides advice on demographic, consumer and social trends for business. He is perhaps best known for popularising the phrase ‘smashed avocado’ globally.

Hear from Bernard in Plenary Session 3 on Wednesday 8 June.

Catherine Velisha

Catherine Velisha is a third-generation vegetable grower and Managing Director at Velisha Farms. A pioneering industry and education advocate, Catherine has worked in the fresh produce sector for over 19 years and has been involved in all aspects of the horticultural supply chain.

Tune in to hear more from Catherine at the Women in Horticulture event from 2:10pm on Tuesday 7 June.

Trade Show – the place to be!

Hort Connections 2022 will feature a refreshed Trade Show design and updated layout for ease of navigation and greater networking opportunities.

Delegates listening to speakers at the Trade Show.

The Trade Show will run over a three-day period and provides a not-to-be-missed opportunity for companies to exhibit their cutting-edge products and solutions, technological innovation and showcase horticultural support for growers and industry members.

Extended hours

The Hort Connections team has extended the Trade Show’s hours in 2022. Tuesday 7 June is unofficially known as ‘Trade Day’ – the Exhibition Hall will be open from 9am until 6pm, with many conference activities centred around the Trade Show. It will also operate on Monday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm and Wednesday from 8am to 3:30pm.

Speaker sessions

Joining 200 exhibitors in the Exhibition Hall will be engaging industry experts from right across the supply chain.

Drop by and hear from industry leaders including co-founder of FreshChain Systems, Greg Calvert; John Deere’s Production Systems Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Stephanie Gersekowski; and Sharon Jones, who is the General Manager Technical at OneHarvest.

There will also be sessions on industry initiatives such as Growcom’s Fair Farms program and the Hort Innovation-sponsored Churchill Fellowship.

The full Trade Show Speaker Program can be found here.

Acknowledgements 

The Hort Connections team would like to acknowledge and thank the event’s five Major Partners: Hort Innovation; the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment; Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries; Syngenta; and Coles.

Also, thank you to all Hort Connections 2022 sponsors – this event would not be a success without your support.

Find out more

Please contact AUSVEG on 03 9882 0277, email info@hortconnections.com.au or visit the Hort Connections website.