Program
The Hort Connections 2024 Program will continue to be updated as we draw closer to the event
The Hort Connections team is beginning to put together an exciting and informative program for 2024. We are eager to show you all what is in store. To be notified of Program announcements, please ensure you are subscribed to our mailing list.
Farm and Retail Tours
Farm Tours, and Retail Tour are not included within the All-Access Pass and is to be booked separately.
Retail Tour: 8:00 – 12:15
Werribee Farm Tour: 6:45 - 16:00
Epping Market & Yarra Valley Farm Tour - Sponsored by Entegra Signature Structures: 4:00 - 15:30
Mornington Peninsula Farm Tour: 6:45 - 16:00
Welcome Reception
Perfection Fresh Breakfast
08:00 - 08:10:
Welcome to Country
08:20 - 09:00:
Keynote Speaker: Doing Business Differently: Lucy Bloom - Former Chief Executive Officer, Sunrise Cambodia and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia
Trade Show Open
Trade Show Speaker Sessions
Cultivation Corner
09:30 - 09:50:
Session 1: TBC
09:50 - 10:10:
Session 2: The Future of Agriculture: Microbiomes as Drivers of Soil and Plant Health: Dr Neil Wilson - Director of Research, Metagen Pty Ltd
10:10 - 10:30:
Session 3: TBC
10:30 - 11:10:
Session 4: TBC
11:10 - 11:50:
Session 5: Brands Influence on Produce Premuims and Consumption Panel
Panellists:
•Belinda Van Schaik - Head of Customer Marketing, Hort Innovation
•Matthew Palise - Director, Red Rich Fruit (NSW)
Host: Matthew Crouch - Co-Founder/Creative Director, Soto Group
11:50 - 12:10:
Session 6: Cultivating Leadership Excellence in Horticulture: Georgia Stormont - Sales & High Performing Teams Coach, Curious Georgia Coaching
12:10 - 12:30:
Session 7: World Vegetable Map 2024 - Global Trends and Vegetable Trade Flows: Pia Piggott - RaboResearch Associate Analyst, Rabobank
13:30 - 13:50:
Session 8: Levelling Up Vegetable and Onion Business Performance: Paul Omodei - Consultant, Planfarm
13:50 - 14:10:
Session 9: Advanced Gas Phase Food Safety and Shelf-Life Extension, Development and Case Studies: Andrew Inglis - Director, Cellysis Pty Ltd
14:10 - 14:30:
Session 10: Fingerlimes, An Emerging Industry That by Providence, Australia Should Lead: Jade King - Director & Owner, Green Valley Fingerlimes
14:30 - 14:50:
Session 11: TBC
14:50 - 15:30:
Session 12: TBC
15:30 - 15:50:
Session 13: Global Sustainable Packaging Case Studies: Paving the way forward:
Host: Tamara Muruetagoiena - Vice President of Sustainability, International Fresh Produce Association
15:50 - 16:10:
Session 14: TBC
16:10 - 16:30:
Session 15: TBC
16:30 - 16:50:
Session 16: TBC
Trade Show Speaker Sessions
Plant Pavilion
09:30 - 09:50:
Session 1: TBC
09:50 - 10:10:
Session 2: TBC
10:10 - 10:50:
Session 3: Tech and Innovation Showcase, sponsored by UPL
10:50 - 11:10:
Session 4: TBC
11:10 - 11:30:
Session 5: Andrew Muir - Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, E.E. Muir & Sons
11:30 - 12:10:
Session 6: Seeka Marketer of the Year Award, produced by IFPA and Produce Plus: Finalist Showcase
12:10 - 12:30:
Session 7: TBC
13:30 - 13:50:
Session 8: TBC
13:50 - 14:10:
Session 9: TBC
14:10 - 14:30:
Session 10: Tim Sides – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
14:30 - 14:50:
Session 11: TBC
14:50 - 15:10:
Session 12: TBC
15:10 - 15:30:
Session 13: TBC Dr Peter Batt – Professor, Food and Agribusiness, Curtin University
15:30 - 15:50:
Session 14: TBC
Diversity & Inclusion / Women in Horticulture Speaker Sessions
12:00 - 12:30:
Diversity & Inclusion: Debbie Lee - National Womens and Action Plan Lead, Australian Football League
12:30 - 13:30: Lunch
13:40 - 14:50:
Women in Horticulture: Brooke Hanson OLY OAM - Chief Motivation Officer, Lane 6 Australia Pty Ltd
Lunch
Trade Show Open
Plenary Sessions
Sponsored by
08:30 - 08:45:
Brett Fifield - CEO, Hort Innovation
08:45 - 09:00:
TBC
09:00 - 09:30:
Session 1: Su McCluskey - Special Representative for Australian Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
09:30 - 10:00:
Session 2: State of the Industry Panel
Panellists:
•Emma Herd - Partner Climate Change & Sustainability & Co-Leader of the EY Net Zero Centre, Ernst Young
•John Said - CEO/Executive Chairman, Fresh Select (Aust)/Nutri V
Host: Ben Hoodless - Managing Director A-NZ, International Fresh Produce Association
10:30 - 11:00:
Session 3: TBC
11:00 - 11:20:
Session 4: Plenary Session Awards
11:20 - 11:50:
Session 5: TBC
12:40 - 13:10:
Session 6: Tamara Muruetagoiena - Vice President of Sustainability, International Fresh Produce Association
Morning Tea
Supply Chain and Consumers Stream
13:20 - 13:40:
Session 1: TBC
13:40 - 14:00:
Session 2:
Susannah Roelofsz - Technical Officer, Fresh Produce Safety Centre
14:00 - 14:20:
Session 3: TBC
14:20 - 14:40:
Session 4:
Dr Sarah Oxford - Senior Researcher, Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research at Monash University
14:40 - 15:00:
Session 5:
Francois Visser - Founder/Managing Director, Carbon Friendly
Growing and Farming Stream
13:20 - 13:40:
Session 1:
Dr Michael Considine - Principal Research Fellow, University of Western Australia
13:40 - 14:00:
Session 2:
Wayne Prowse - Principal and Senior Analyst, Fresh Intelligence Consulting
14:00 - 14:20:
Session 3:
Dr Cathy Wilkinson - Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
14:20 - 14:40:
Session 4: TBC
14:40 - 15:00:
Session 5:
Clinton Muller - Senior Consultant, RMCG
