Amid rising cost pressures and challenges to labour availability, the Australian horticulture sector came together for Hort Connections 2023, the largest horticulture conference and trade show in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Adelaide Convention Centre played host to this year’s event from 5–7 June, which explored 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.
Run by AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia – New Zealand, Hort Connections 2023 was a record-breaking show. According to AUSVEG,
more than 3500 delegates attended the event to see over 200 exhibitors and a line-up of 50 industry expert speakers.
AUSVEG national manager – communications, Shaun Lindhe said it was the largest attendance in Hort Connection’s history, and a reflection of the central importance the show is taking on the horticulture industry calendar.
“The three-day event was an opportunity for supply chain members, growers, researchers and industry stakeholders in the fresh produce and floral sector to network with their colleagues, and learn about the latest developments, trends and research in the industry from local and international experts.
“Hort Connections 2023 was supported by 69 sponsors and industry partners, including the show’s principal convention partner Hort Innovation, and major partners the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Syngenta; Coles; Corteva Agriscience; Nutrien Ag Solutions; Business Events Adelaide; the South Australia Tourism Commission; the South Australia Department of the Premier and Cabinet; and the Adelaide Convention Centre.”
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Mr Lindhe said Hort Connections 2023 boasted more than 200 exhibiting companies from every sector of the industry, and the trade show continues to be a major drawcard for the event.
“For exhibitors, the trade show offered businesses from across the Australian and global horticulture supply chain an unrivalled opportunity to make connections and do business with a targeted audience that included approximately 1000 growers.
“For the more than 3500 delegates walking the floor over three days, the trade show offered the chance to learn about new solutions from suppliers that understood their business and to get hands on with the latest technology.
“Hort Connections 2023 also featured a dedicated networking hour that saw delegates mingling with exhibitors during the trade show Happy Hour at the close of Tuesday 6 June, sponsored by Nufarm Australia.”
The Hort Connections 2023 conference program featured more than 50 expert speakers from around Australia, and as far afield as New Zealand, the US, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands.
Conference sessions covered a broad range of topics, including how to apply the latest R&D on farm, sustainability, marketing, labour, pest and weed management, automation, AI, traceability, farm capital, export growth, consumer trends, flower breeding, nutrition science and much more.
The program was headlined by keynote speakers that included the shadow minister for Agriculture and leader of the Federal National Party; David Littleproud; food educator Stephanie Alexander; Deputy Chair of the ACCC Mick Keogh; and Ron Lemaire, president of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association, among others.
Several affiliated events, including Avocados Australia’s annual forum: Avo Connections 2023, AUSVEG’s Annual Vegetable Industry Seminar, and the annual Diversity and Women in Horticulture networking event, ran alongside the Hort Connections program.
Delegates were also able to visit some of the best horticulture operations in the Adelaide surrounds on four different farm and retail tours, visiting farms in Virginia and the Adelaide Hills, local retailers and a potato trial at Langhorne Creek.
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Australian horticulture’s best and brightest were recognised at the 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence, presented on Wednesday 7 June at the Hort Connections Gala Dinner.
Capping off Hort Connections 2023, the Gala Dinner drew together more than 1500 horticulture industry members to celebrate the significant contributions of the sector’s leading growers, marketers, researchers and suppliers. The event was sponsored by J-Tech Systems and Naturpac.
“The annual Horticulture Awards for Excellence are the industry’s most prestigious honours, and cover a range of areas in horticulture, including recognising outstanding growers in multiple categories, as well as researchers, innovative agribusinesses and the industry’s leading exporters,” Mr Lindhe said.
The evening was opened by an address from Mr Littleproud, International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand chair Richard Byllaardt, and AUSVEG chair Bill Bulmer.
Hort Connections moves to Melbourne in 2024 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 3-5 June 2024. Opportunities for exhibitors to showcase their services, products and innovations at the biggest trade show in the Australian horticulture sector will open in the coming months.
