Australia’s largest horticultural convention, The AUSVEG National Convention Trade Show and Awards for Excellence, is forecast to boost the Cairns economy by more than $2 million when it arrives in Cairns next month. The Convention will run from 19 – 21 June and is expected to attract over 1,000 delegates to the region from across the country, as well as from across the globe.

“The National Convention will embrace all aspects of the wonderful city of Cairns over a period of three exciting days. Through service providers and retail businesses associated with the Convention, it is expected that over $2 million will be injected into the local economy,” said AUSVEG Chief Executive Officer, Richard Mulcahy.

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers.

“We have now contracted five leading hotels in Cairns, with more than 1,500 room nights locked in for delegates. There will also be tours of the region and the reef, all creating work for staff and further
stimulating the Cairns economy.”

“The city of Cairns was selected due to its leading facilities, temperate winter climate and world-renowned natural beauty. Many growers have also incorporated holiday plans around the Convention, so the economic benefits should be felt both before and after the event as well,” said Mr Mulcahy.

The AUSVEG National Convention is the largest event in Australian horticulture, and celebrates the achievements of the industry by bringing together vegetable and potato growers from around the country, and allowing them to experience new technologies and ideas, and share business skills.

Parliamentary representatives of all the political interests holding the balance of power in the Senate will be in attendance, including high-profile Independent Senator Nick Xenophon. The Government will be represented by Agriculture Minister, the Hon. Barnaby Joyce and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, Senator Richard Colbeck. The Opposition will be represented by Shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon.

“This year’s Convention includes a range of exciting events, such as the Kalfresh panel discussion on the Supermarket Voluntary Code of Conduct, the Great Debate which will this year focus on the contentious topic of foreign investment in agriculture, a Reverse Trade Mission of over 40 international buyers, and the weekend’s capstone event, the Awards for Excellence,” said Mr Mulcahy.

Some of the biggest names in Australian horticulture will be speaking at the event, including a keynote presentation from the Federal Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP. Also presenting is Syngenta’s Global head of Vegetables, Alexander Tokarz, Senior Key Relations Manager, Food Chain Management at Bayer CropScience, Christine Brunel-Ligneau, and esteemed scientific personality and Triple J presenter, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is appearing by arrangement with Claxton Speakers International.

“With three days’ of informative and exciting Speaker Sessions, the 2014 AUSVEG National Convention, Trade Show and Awards for Excellence is an event not-to-be-missed,” said Mr Mulcahy.

To register for the AUSVEG National Convention, visit www.ausveg.com.au/convention or contact AUSVEG on (03) 9822 0388.

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Bodnarcuk, Spokesperson, AUSVEG
Phone: (03) 9882 0277 | Mobile: 0400 114 266 | E-mail: michael.bodnarcuk@ausveg.com.au