With less than three months to go before Hort Connections kicks off on Monday 15 May, all signs are pointing towards the event being the biggest and best opportunity to grow your business in 2017, whether you’re a grower, packer, retailer, wholesaler, supplier, processor or importer/exporter. Hort Connections 2017 will bring the entire industry together for three days of networking, education and business opportunity.

The Hort Connections conference aims to deliver the freshest insights, the latest information and hottest issues to arm delegates with the tools to grow their businesses. Conference speakers have been carefully selected to cover the most up-to-the-minute subjects and topics ranging from technology to marketing, global development, the power of data and a session on the Harmonised Australian Retailer Produce Scheme (HARPS).

“Each topic has been refined and shaped to be of highest value to the fresh produce industry with special guest speakers, panel experts and industry representatives,” said PMA Australia-New Zealand CEO Darren Keating.

Keynote speakers include Jaquie Scammell, Director of Customer Relations at Tennis Australia, who will be discussing the significance of people and culture. beyondblue Chairman and former Victorian Premier The Hon. Jeff Kennett AC will headline an important mental health forum, while Monash University’s ACRS Managing Director Sean Sands will discuss the opportunities to maximise value by designing customer-facing innovations that resonate.

Delegates will also hear from Lone Jespersen from Maple Leaf Foods who will be discussing the importance of developing a food safety culture. Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston, will also provide an insight into the Federal Government’s priorities for Australian horticulture in the coming months.

“Hort Connections delegates will gain unprecedented access to global heavyweights and local experts with this stellar line up of speakers,” said AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside.

The Hort Connections 2017 Trade Show is the other major component of the event and will offer delegates the chance to meet with buyers from the major or independent retailers, source new inputs providers, get up close to cutting edge technologies and innovations or even check out the competition. You’re not going to get every single one of those things under the one roof at any other trade show in Australia or New Zealand.

With more speakers to be announced over the coming months, this conference program is not to be missed. Early bird registrations for Hort Connections 2017 close on 17 March so make sure you grab your All Access Pass now and save. For more information or to register for the event, please visit hortconnections.com.au.


ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Dimi Kyriakou, AUSVEG Senior Communications Officer/Editor
Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0488 124 626, Email: dimi.kyriakou@ausveg.com.au

MEDIA CONTACT: Renee Harrison, PMA A-NZ Marketing Manager
Mobile: 0404 160 908, Email: r.harrison@pma-anz.com