HOPES of breaking attendance records have been buoyed by the hearty attendance at the welcome reception at Hort Connections 2023 which took place last night (June 5) at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
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Hundreds of delegates made the most of the opportunity to get their first glimpse inside the trade display which boasts more than 200 exhibitors.
The annual event, hosted by Ausveg and the International Fresh Produce Association of Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ), has become one of the largest horticulture events in the southern hemisphere.
Hort Connections 2023 is expected to attract more than 3000 delegates.
This year's conference will explore the theme of "knowledge for growth" to ensure the horticulture 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.
In an additional show of support, the South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) was announced as the State Conference Partner.
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South Australia's primary industries and agribusiness generated revenue of $15.4 billion in 2020/21 and directly employed 74,000 people.
Ausveg chief executive officer Michael Coote said Hort Connections will generate a significant economic boost for South Australia, and shine a spotlight on the state's large horticulture industry, which is underpinned by the cutting-edge research and development overseen by PIRSA.
"It's wonderful to have Hort Connections back in Adelaide for the first time since 2017, and the support of PIRSA is a great reflection of the importance of South Australia as a horticultural production region, particularly for vegetables and potatoes," Mr Coote said.
SA primary industries minister Clare Scriven said Hort Connections was a great opportunity to showcase the best of South Australia's horticulture industry to a national audience.
"South Australian horticulture is a $2 billion industry, which includes the country's biggest producer of onions and potatoes as well as one of the largest areas of protected cropping," Ms Scriven said.
"The state is also home to a number of leading biosecurity and plant breeding research programs.
"Hort Connections returning to Adelaide gives us a great opportunity to highlight the cutting-edge work happening in South Australian horticulture to a national gathering of industry professionals."
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Ashley Walmsley
Ashley Walmsley is the editor of ACM's only national, fresh produce magazine, Good Fruit & Vegetables, while also covering horticulture stories for the agricultural papers and websites. He also writes the weekly, The Ringer, column in the Qld Country Life.
Ashley Walmsley is the editor of ACM's only national, fresh produce magazine, Good Fruit & Vegetables, while also covering horticulture stories for the agricultural papers and websites. He also writes the weekly, The Ringer, column in the Qld Country Life.
