Australian Organic will become the sixth industry body to co-host the Convention, along with AUSVEG, Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), the Central Markets Association of Australia, in partnership with Fresh Markets Australia (CMAA-FMA), Growcom and Persimmons Australia Inc.

“We are delighted to return to the Gold Coast for the 2016 National Horticulture Convention, with Australia’s largest certifier for organic and biodynamic produce as a co-host,” said AUSVEG National Marketing Manager, Nathan McIntyre.

“Opening the doors to Australia’s burgeoning organic industry will also add an extra dimension to the Convention, providing growers and stakeholders from across horticulture with the opportunity to network with a more diverse range of delegates than ever before.”

“Many of our members have attended the Convention in the past, so we’re excited to be co-hosting this event to ensure the 2016 Convention is even more successful than its predecessors,” said Paul Stadhams, CEO of the Australian Organic Group. “It is a fantastic opportunity for the country’s hard working organic growers and retailers to network with a wide range of horticultural growers, wholesalers and marketers to increase the profile of the organic horticulture industry.”

The 2016 National Horticulture Convention is set to surpass the success of previous events, with a greater number of delegates expected to descend on the Gold Coast for the premier event in Australian agriculture.

“With the addition of so many industries for this year’s Convention, we look forward to being part of a true National Horticulture Convention. The ability to participate in an event of this size will provide excellent value for Australia’s organic industry,” Stadhams said.

“We’re all very excited to host the 2016 National Horticulture Convention together, ensuring a wider range of delegates from different horticultural backgrounds can benefit from listening to horticulture’s most celebrated thinkers from around the world, meet with leading agribusinesses at an expansive trade show and network with each other,” McIntyre said. “The extraordinary interest from growers and other industry groups will ensure this year’s National Horticulture Convention is the most successful event in the history of Australian agriculture.”