29 May 2023

Thousands of growers and industry members from the fresh produce industry will kick-off Hort Connections 2023, the biggest event in Australian horticulture, on Monday 5 June at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Hort Connections 2023 will explore the theme of Knowledge for Growth to ensure the industry is primed to take advantage of the next generation of research, technology and business innovation to grow the production and value of the horticulture industry.

The event will cater to all members of the horticulture industry, ranging from primary producers to retailers and the entire supply chain. It is an opportunity for growers and industry members to come together in one central location to build their knowledge and networks, and find out new ways to improve the productivity and profitability of their businesses.

“Hort Connections is a highlight in the calendar for many in the industry, particularly for the many growers who attend the event to see the latest innovations and technologies that are available to make their businesses more productive and profitable,” said AUSVEG National Marketing Manager Nathan McIntyre.

“Delegates will learn from the industry’s leaders during a range of plenary and industry-focused speaker sessions. They will also learn about the innovations that are set to change the face of Australian horticulture from the sector’s leading agribusinesses at the sold-out Trade Show, which features over 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies, products and services to Australian fruit and vegetable growers.

“The Hort Connections 2023 conference will be a ‘one-stop-shop’ that incorporates unparalleled networking opportunities for everyone in the horticulture supply chain, a trade show showcasing leading local and global businesses, and world-class speakers. There is still time to register if you haven’t already.”

Key speakers and events for Hort Connections 2023 include:

  • Chef, restauranteur, food writer and Australian food champion Stephanie Alexander
  • Former Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer at Lonely Plant Gus Balbontin
  • Chief Science Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association Max Teplitski
  • Global Food Futurist Tony Hunter
  • Industry workplace panel featuring the Hon David Littleproud, Mick Keogh (Deputy Chair, ACCC), Neil Rechlin (Director, Next Gen) and Ron Lemaire (President, Canadian Produce Marketing Association)
  • The National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, where the accomplishments of the industry’s leaders will be acknowledged and celebrated.

Hort Connections is a joint initiative between AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ). These annual events have rapidly become a central fixture in the Australian and New Zealand horticulture calendar, with over 3,000 delegates from all sectors of the horticulture industry attending Hort Connections 2022 and more than 200 commercial and not-for-profit businesses, government departments and industry organisations partnering in the event.

Hort Connections 2023 is being supported by Hort Innovation – Principal Convention Partner – as well as Major Partners Coles, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Corteva Agriscience, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and Syngenta. Have a look at the event program at hortconnections.com.au and see the opportunities on offer.

 

A selection of key events

Event Location / Time
  Monday 5 June
  Farm and Retail Tours Off-site, 5:50am – 3pm
  Annual Vegetable Industry Seminar

  • Looking forward, looking back: Lessons learnt and what’s ahead for Soil Wealth ICP Phase 3
  • Reposition your Agribusiness asset-base to unlock value and maximise returns
  • AgTech: How growers can leverage tech to drive on-farm efficiency across visitor management, health and safety, productivity and biosecurity
  • Fresh produce for a healthy heart: The role of plants in improving the health of Australians
  • Insights for Growth: How to leverage consumer data for the produce industry
 Riverbank Rooms 3-4, Noon – 4pm
  Welcome Reception Exhibition Halls, 4:30pm – 6:30pm
  Tuesday 6 June
  Perfection Fresh Breakfast

  • Gus Balbontin, Former Executive Director and CTO, Lonely Planet
 Hall C-E, 8am – 9am
  Hort Connections 2023 Trade Show Exhibition Halls, 9am – 6pm
  Diversity & Inclusion / Women in Horticulture

  • Leveraging diversity and inclusion to drive business strategy and performance: Diane White – Director, EY
  • Brain 101: Mental Agility = Resilience: Milo Wilkinson – Behavioural Scientist
 Hall A, 12pm – 2:30pm
  Wednesday 7 June
  Plenary Sessions

  • Panel: State of the Industry
  • Max Teplitski – Chief Science Officer, International Fresh Produce Association
  • Tony Hunter – Global Food Futurist Speaker, Future Cubed
  • Stephanie Alexander – Cook, restaurateur, food writer and champion of the quality & diversity of Australian food
 Hall C-E, 8:30am – 11:40am
  Growing and Farming Stream

  • Panel: Balancing Retailer-Grower Power
  • Dr. Simon Baxter – Senior Lecturer In Genetics (Insect Pest Control), Biosciences, University of Melbourne
  • Panel: Navigating the new workplace
  • Jan Kamper – Market Development Lead, Glasshouse, Bayer Vegetable Seeds
 Riverbank Rooms 2-4, 12pm – 3pm
  Supply-Chain and Consumers Stream

  • Matty Blomfield – CEO and Co-Founder, Hectre
  • Adrian Parsons – Managing Director, Helix Australia
  • Matt Tripodi – Sr. Global Territory Director, Euromonitor International
  • Mark Bennett – Head of Agribusiness, Australia Commercial, ANZ
  • Dr. Jason Wu – Program Head, Nutrition Science, Food Policy Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney
  • Mila Bristow – General Manager, Trade and Biosecurity R&D, Hort Innovation
  • Grant Harrex – Head of Commercial, APAC, Oritain Global Ltd
 Riverbank Rooms 6-8, 12pm – 3pm
  Hort Connections 2023 Trade Show Exhibition Halls, 8:10am – 3:40pm
  Hort Connections Gala Dinner and Awards for Excellence Hall C-E, 7pm onwards

 

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT
Shaun Lindhe, AUSVEG National Manager – Communications
Phone: 03 9882 0277, Mobile: 0405 977 789, Email: shaun.lindhe@ausveg.com.au