Australia’s largest horticultural event, the National Horticulture Convention, Trade Show, and Awards for Excellence, is forecast to boost the Gold Coast economy by over $2 million over the course of the three day event.

Now incorporating both AUSVEG and Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), the Convention will run from 25-27 June and is set to attract over 1,400 local and international delegates to the Gold Coast.  

“The National Horticulture Convention will embrace all aspects unique to the Gold Coast over 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 Manager – Events and Marketing Lauren Winterbottom.

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers. APAL is the industry body representing Australia’s more than 600 commercial apple and pear growers.

“The Gold Coast was selected due to its world-leading facilities, temperate winter climate and world-renowned natural beauty. Many growers have incorporated holiday plans around the Convention, so the economic benefits will be felt both before and after the event as well,” said Ms Winterbottom.

“With Australia’s vegetable, potato, apple and pear industries joining forces for the first time to host the event, the additional delegates are sure to provide an added boost to the city’s economy.”

The National Horticulture Convention is the largest event in Australian horticulture, and celebrates the achievements of the industry by bringing together growers and producers from across the industry.

“The 2015 Convention includes a range of exciting events, such as the Women in Horticulture: Taste of Success event celebrating the role women play within the industry, the Haifa Great Debate comparing conventional and organic farming techniques, and the weekend’s capstone event, the National Awards for Excellence,” said Ms Winterbottom.

Some of the biggest names in horticulture will be speaking at the event, including keynote speaker Blair Richardson, the President & CEO of the United States Potato Board, Chairman and Managing Director of Bayer Australia and New Zealand Tobias Marchand, Head of Vegetables and Specialty Crops for Syngenta Asia Pacific Andreas Steiner and Dr Luis Teixeira from DuPont Crop Protection’s Product Support and Renewal – Insecticides division.

“With three days of informative and exciting events, the 2015 National Horticulture Convention, Trade Show and Awards for Excellence is a not to be missed event,” said Ms Winterbottom.

To register for the 2015 National Horticulture Convention, visit www.ausveg.com.au/convention or contact AUSVEG on (03) 9882 0277.

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Lauren Winterbottom, AUSVEG Manager – Events and Marketing
Phone: (03) 9882 0277 | Mobile: 0439 386 049 | E-mail: lauren.winterbottom@ausveg.com.au