The biggest event in Australian and New Zealand horticulture is almost here! AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association A-NZ are looking forward to welcoming delegates to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for Hort Connections from 6-8 June 2022.
Forging connections
Hort Connections 2022 kicks off with the Welcome Reception, which will take place on Monday 6 June at 4:30 pm. Once formalities are completed, delegates can check out the Trade Show and speak with the leading companies and service e providers in the horticulture industry.
The Boomaroo Nurseries-sponsored Women in Horticulture event returns on Tuesday, 7 June, featuring guest speakers Catherine Velisha, Managing Director of Velisha Farms and winner of the 2021 Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award, and Shanna Whan, CEO, and Founder of Sober in the Country.
There will also be a chance to network and reconnect with industry members at the Nufarm Australia sponsored Happy Hour, which is taking place in the Trade Show from 5-6 pm on Tuesday 7 June.
Trade Show – the place to be!
The Hort Connections 2022 Trade Show, sponsored by Australia’s Fresh Produce Markets, is refreshed and features an updated layout for ease of navigation and more networking opportunities.
The Trade Show will run for three days and is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for growers and delegates to visit companies exhibiting cutting-edge products and solutions and technological innovations.
Extended hours
The Hort Connections team has extended the Trade Show’s hours in 2022, with Tuesday unofficially known as ‘Trade Day.’ The Exhibition Hall will be open from 9 am until 6 pm, with many conference activities centered around the Trade Show. It will also operate on Monday from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm, and Wednesday from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
Speaker sessions
Joining 200 exhibitors in the Exhibition Hall will be engaging industry experts from right across the supply chain.
Hear from a range of presenters across a wide variety of topics that impact the fresh produce industry. Headline speakers include Channel 7 Melbourne’s resident meteorologist and Founder and CEO of janesweather.com, Jane Bunn, who will be discussing how to take advantage of the weather to maximize farming opportunities.
The Plenary Sessions will feature leading social commentator Bernard Salt, one of Australia’s leading social commentators by business, the media, and the broader community. Bernard heads The Demographics Group, which provides advice on demographic, consumer, and social trends for business.
Bernard will be joined by Mulgowie Farming Company National Sales Manager Shane Quinn, who will discuss why farmers will be the central bankers of the 21st century.
Vinomofo Co-founder Justin Dry is appearing at the Perfection Fresh Breakfast on Tuesday, 9 June. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Justin will share the many lessons he has learned in the building of his business.
Drop by and listen to a variety of industry leaders, as well as updates from industry initiatives such as Growcom’s Fair Farms program and Churchill Fellowship recipients, sponsored by Hort Innovation. The full Trade Show Speaker Program can be found on the Hort Connections website.
Celebrating industry leaders
The National Awards for Excellence will be presented at the Hort Connections 2022 Gala Dinner.
This capstone event acknowledges and recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals and companies in the horticulture industry. The Gala Dinner, sponsored by Costa Group, will be held on Wednesday 8 June from 7 pm.
Farm tours
Hort Connections is pleased to offer off-site farm tours and a retail tour on Monday, 6 June.
These tours – proudly sponsored by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) – are a must-attend event for growers and industry members, affording delegates to tour the Brisbane Markets with included breakfast and refreshments as well as traveling to leading Queensland horticulture producers' farming operations.
There will be two farm tours – the Northern Farm Tour and Western Farm Tour. Delegates will be chauffeured back to the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) to conclude the tours. Click here for further information and to register.
Author: Nathan McIntyre, AUSVEG
For more information:
AUSVEG
Tel: +61 3 9882 0277
Email [email protected]
Visit the Hort Connections website.