Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) and the Central Markets Association of Australia (CMAA), which together represent Australia's fresh produce markets and their wholesalers, have come on board as official trade show sponsors and co-hosts of Hort Connections 2019, marking the third year that FMA and CMAA have joined the conference as co-hosts and trade show sponsors.
The two groups will join AUSVEG, PMA Australia-New Zealand (PMA A-NZ), Growcom, United Fresh New Zealand, Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) and the Australian Society of Horticultural Science (AuSHS) as Hort Connections co-hosts, ensuring that the event will cater for a wider cross-section of the Australian horticulture industry.
Hort Connections 2019 will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 24-26 June 2019 and will bring members from all sectors of the horticulture industry under the one roof, including growers, supply chain members, government stakeholders and industry service providers.
AUSVEG National Marketing Manager Nathan McIntyre said that having the fresh produce market and wholesaler industry bodies as co-hosts will further the opportunity for the event to reach a wider number of people in the horticulture sector, which has historically been highly fragmented.
"Our industry has traditionally been highly fragmented, meaning it has historically been difficult to get the industry's growers, researchers and peak industry bodies under the one roof – this is where the collaboration that comes with Hort Connections is so important," said Mr McIntyre.
"We are thrilled that FMA and CMAA have once again signed on as co-hosts and sponsors of the Trade Show for Hort Connections 2019. Together, FMA and CMAA represent a large and diverse sector of the horticulture industry, and we hope that having them back as co-hosts and sponsors enables the conference to reach a wider and more diverse audience than ever before."
Mr McIntyre said it was important to work with as many groups in the industry to make sure that the event can cater for the entire horticulture sector – from growers to agronomists, resellers, researchers and industry representative bodies.
"Hort Connections 2019 will build on the success of the past two years' events to bring the latest in information, technology, trade and networking opportunities for the Australian horticulture industry. The diversity of information presented during the course of the conference means there truly is something for everyone, no matter where you sit in the supply chain," said Mr McIntyre.
"Our industry's collaboration with FMA and CMAA has grown as a result of Hort Connections, and we hope to continue to build this relationship to provide even more value for conference delegates."
Registrations are open now for delegates to attend Hort Connections 2019, with early bird rates available until 29 March 2019. The Trade Show will open from Monday 24 June until Wednesday 26 June.
