vegetables

2015 National Horticulture Conventionbecomes biggest event in Australian agAUSVEG AND APPLE AND PEAR AUSTRALIA LIMITED (APAL) UNITED IN JUNE TO HOSTTHE 2015 NATIONAL HORTICULTURE CONVENTION, TRADE SHOW AND AWARDS FOREXCELLENCE, WHERE MORE THAN 1,400 DELEGATES DESCENDED ON JUPITERS GOLDCOAST FOR THREE ACTION-PACKED DAYS OF INNOVATION, INSIGHT AND NETWORKING.9Vegetables Australia July/August 2015THURSDAY 25 JUNEYou could sense the excitementin the air as a record numberof delegates made their wayto Jupiters Gold Coast for the2015 National HorticultureConvention, Trade Showand Awards for Excellence,incorporating AUSVEG andApple and Pear AustraliaLimited (APAL) in a first for theAustralian horticulture industry.The unique partnershippresented an array of newopportunities to delve intobroader areas of interest inAustralian horticulture, allowingthe nation’s vegetable andpotato growers to networkwith their apple and peargrowing colleagues and discussmutual areas of concern. Thiscollaboration also cementedthe 2015 Convention’s place asthe largest and most successfulevent in Australian agricultureto date.On the first day of theConvention, APAL held itsAnnual General Meeting andSpeed Updating sessions,where a series of researcherspresented key findings onapple and pear projects. Asnight fell, delegates gatheredfor the Welcome Reception,where AFL legend and Masterof Ceremonies Peter Daicosmarked the official opening ofthe 2015 Convention and TradeShow to the delight of manylong-time Collingwood fans inthe crowd. With more than 90industry booths on show, therewas certainly plenty of foodfor thought for visitors in thecoming days.FRIDAY 26 JUNEOn Friday morning, delegateswere treated to a thoughtprovokingstart to the day witha breakfast presentation fromRob de Castella, Director of theIndigenous Marathon Project.This initiative aims to promotehealthy lifestyles to Indigenouscommunities by selecting agroup of young men and womento compete in the New York CityMarathon with just six monthsof training.Many delegates noted theirnewfound inspiration to go for arun along the beach and werekeen to hear more from thefirst instalment of Conventionspeaker sessions. The openingaddress was presented byHorticulture Innovation AustraliaLimited CEO John Lloyd, whocalled for greater unity amongthe horticulture industryUnited States PotatoBoard President andCEO Blair Richardson.and highlighted the broadopportunities that exist throughinnovation.Coles General Manager ofFresh Produce Brad Gormanalso presented on strategicinvestment in the fresh foodsector, noting that the qualityof fresh food determineswhere a consumer wants toshop. His presentation wasfollowed by some helpfuladvice on workplace issuesPhotography by Andrew Beveridge.The 2015 Trade Showand Produce Display.