Australian Organic will become the third industry body to co-host Hort Connections, which combines the National Horticulture Convention and PMA Fresh Connections, the premier events of two of horticulture’s leading organisations.

“We are looking forward to taking this groundbreaking event to a new destination next year alongside Australia’s largest certifier for organic and biodynamic produce as a co-host,” said AUSVEG National Marketing, Manager Nathan McIntyre.

“Australia’s burgeoning organic industry is an important sector of horticulture and it will be fantastic to once again have Australian Organic on-board so growers and whole-of-supply-chain members can network with a more diverse group of delegates.”

Australian Organic Group CEO, Paul Stadhams, said it was a tremendous opportunity to increase the profile of organic horticulture and collaborate with leading horticulture representatives. “We’re excited to join AUSVEG and PMA-ANZ as a co-host of Hort Connections to ensure this one-of-a-kind event is a true success. It is a fantastic opportunity for the country’s hard working organic growers and retailers to network with a wide range of horticultural growers and whole-of-supply-chain members. Many of our members have enjoyed attending these events in the past and we expect Hort Connections to provide excellent value for Australia’s organic industry in 2017.”

McIntyre said Hort Connections is well on its way to becoming a truly unified horticultural event. “We’re very excited to join PMA-ANZ and Australian Organic to bring Hort Connections to the industry, where delegates will benefit from listening to horticulture’s most celebrated thinkers from around the world and network with each other. Hort Connections is already attracting tremendous attention from local and international industry members and is set to become the most significant horticulture event in the Australasian region.”

AUSVEG and PMA-ANZ are also in discussions with other industry groups to co-host the event in an effort to further unite the horticulture industry.