Over 3,000 delegates from across the fresh produce supply chain are expected in Adelaide for this year’s event.
Australia and New Zealand’s largest horticulture conference and trade show returns to Adelaide in 2023.
Hort Connections will take place in the South Australian capital on 5-7 June.
The Adelaide Convention Centre will provide the backdrop for the action-packed three-day programme, which includes farm and retail tours, a high-powered speaker programme, an awards programme and networking events.
Trade Show
The Hort Connections trade show will be the centrepiece of the event. Over 200 exhibitors from across the fresh produce supply chain are expected to showcase their wares on the trade show floor.
The trade show will be held in the convention centre’s exhibition halls. It opens on Monday (5 June) evening as part of the event’s welcome reception and runs through until Wednesday (7 June).
Speaker programme
The first round of speakers for the Hort Connections conference programme have been announced.
Plenary session speakers include Gus Balbontin, Max Teplitski, and Stephanie Alexander.
Balbontin is the former executive director and CTO of travel guide publisher Lonely Planet. He remains heavily involved within the start-up scene as a founder, investor and advisor.
Teplitski is chief science officer of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). He is responsible for IFPA’s science, ag-tech, supply chain and sustainability programmes.
Alexander has been the owner-chef of several restaurants, authored influential books and articles on pertinent food matters, and established the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
Events
Hort Connections visitors can also gain insights and make new contacts through several events running alongside the trade show and conference.
Two farm tours are planned for Monday (5 June), while a retail tour will run on the same day. The farm and retail tours are not included with the all-access event pass and must be booked separately.
Meanwhile, the Perfection Fresh Breakfast will again be one of the event’s highlights. Taking place on Tuesday (6 June) morning, before the trade show opens its doors, the breakfast will include Balbontin’s keynote address on information automation.
The event rounds out with the ever-popular Hort Connections Gala Dinner, held at the convention centre on Wednesday evening (7 June).
Awards
The gala dinner will include the presentation of the 2023 Horticulture Awards for Excellence, which recognise the achievements of individuals and companies within the Australasian horticulture industry.
Key awards include the IFPA-Produce Plus Marketer of the Year, sponsored by Seeka, the Syngenta Grower of the Year, the Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year, the Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award, and the Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year.
For a full list of award categories, or to submit a nomination, click on the awards tab on the Hort Connections website.
For more information on Hort Connections 2023 – including delegate and exhibitor registration – visit the event’s website.
