AusVeg and PMA Australia-New Zealand Limited (PMA-ANZ) will unite to deliver a joint industry conference and trade show in 2017.
This will mark an historic partnership between two of horticulture’s leading organisations.
The event will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre at a date to be confirmed in May or June.
The Memorandum of Understanding between AusVeg and PMA-ANZ will effectively combine two of the industry’s biggest conventions to provide growers and whole-of-supply-chain companies and organisations with the most significant horticulture event in the Australasian region.
AusVeg chairman Geoff Moar said AusVeg and PMA-ANZ were excited to join forces in 2017.
He said there were aiming to deliver an industry event that would not only continue the positive legacy from respective conventions, but also provide even more information and value to growers and industry members.
“We are looking forward to working with PMA-ANZ to create a truly unified horticultural event that will bring growers and industry from around the world to one location,” Mr Moar said.
“We are confident this partnership will ensure attendees can benefit from listening to a wider range of world-class presenters, visit the industry’s leading agribusinesses at an expansive trade show and network with each other.”
PMA-ANZ chairman John Said said the union between AusVeg and PMA-ANZ was certain to strengthen the future of horticulture and fresh produce in the region.
“We are excited to join AusVeg in hosting this event in 2017 and making it a truly world-class event that brings together the full supply chain and the wide range of fruit, vegetable and floral producers,” Mr Said said.
“They can look forward to once again hearing from world-class presenters who will inform and inspire fresh produce industry members, while the trade show will be the place to showcase the most exciting developments in horticulture.
“This combined industry event will allow a wider range of horticulture growers and members of the fresh produce supply chain to forge strong business networks and gain valuable insights into the entire industry.”
AusVeg and PMA-ANZ were also in discussions with other industry groups to co-host the event in an effort to further unite the horticulture industry.
Horticulture Innovation Australia has congratulated PMA-ANZ and AusVeg, saying industry will reap the rewards.
Horticulture Innovation Australia chief executive John Lloyd said the agreement reflected continuing growth in demand for support and innovation in the nation’s horticulture sector.
“The Australian horticulture industry has never been so diverse and exciting with value-adding, technology use and trade options opening up like never before,” Mr Lloyd said.
“Industry has this real hunger and passion for learning and sharing knowledge, and in this environment, this conference and trade show will thrive.”
Mr Lloyd commended the organisations for their collaboration, and said participants in all stages of the Australian supply chain stand to benefit.
“This new event will bring with it a great opportunity for industry to learn, share and further succeed through the knowledge they will be exposed to, and the networks they will build.”
