BULLETINS
& ARTICLES
Svensson 2005
National Conference of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Industry
EVENT OVERVIEW
The Australian Hydroponic and greenhouse Industry
is the fastest growing food producing sector in Australia, valued at around
$600 million at the farm gate per annum. This is equivalent to 20% of the
value of total vegetable and cut flower production in Australia (RIRDC
report HAS-9A). It is estimated that more than 10,000 people are employed
directly in greenhouse horticulture throughout Australia.
For industry participants, staying in-touch with
the latest research and developments, new products and innovations, market
trends and regulations, is a full-time job. The objective of the Australian
Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association (AHGA) is to provide a forum for
all industry participants to come together to share and exchange the latest
information, with a focus on the “Commercial Realities of Greenhouse Production”,
the theme for this year’s national conference and trade show.
The AHGA is pleased
to announce Ludvig Svensson, manufacturer of LS screening materials, as
its naming rights sponsor. In Australia, Svensson is also synonymous with
Living Shade, the distributor of LS screens. Richard Clough, managing director
of Living Shade, says both Svensson and his company are proud to be associated
with the national industry conference in 2005.
The Svensson 2005
National Conference of the Australian Hydroponic and Greenhouse Industry
is for existing and intending commercial growers, installation and equipment
suppliers, industry consultants and service providers, researchers and
educators, and anyone else with an interest in hydroponic and greenhouse
technology.
The usual conference
format will include a trade exhibition, lectures, workshops and hydroponic
farm visits. There will also be an industry dinner and an awards presentation.
A proceedings book will be published and distributed to registered delegates.
All AHGA members and affiliates will receive discounted conference packages.
Networking with
people from within the industry, sharing anecdotes, and the opportunity
to meet and discuss relevant topics with many of Australia’s leading researchers,
experienced growers, and industry service providers, are key components
of the Conference and Trade Show.
The Svensson 2005
National Conference of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Industry
will undoubtedly be one of the largest Industry Conference and Trade Show
events in the Asia-Pacific region. The Conference and Trade Show are expected
to attract 350 commercial growers and allied industry delegates from around
Australia, New Zealand, throughout Asia, and elsewhere in the world.
The large, fully
integrated Trade Show will provide a unique opportunity for existing and
intending commercial growers to view the latest industry innovations, and
to meet and discuss relevant topics with many of Australia’s leading researchers,
experienced growers, and industry service providers.
OVERALL EVENT
SCHEDULE
Sunday 17th July
• Registration Open
• Trade Exhibition
Set-up & Public Viewing
• Welcome Reception
• AHGA Annual General
Meeting (evening)
Monday 18th July
• Opening Plenary
Session
• Concurrent Sessions
for Lectures
• Trade Show
• Industry Workshop
Tuesday 19th July
• Concurrent Sessions
for Lectures
• Industry Workshops
• Trade Show (exhibits
close after Lunch)
• Industry Dinner
Wednesday 20th July
• Farm Tours
ENCOURAGEMENT
SCHOLARSHIPS
In 2005, in a new
initiative, the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association award
up to four “Encouragement Scholarships”, which will be presented at the
Industry Dinner on Tuesday 19th July 2005.
Each Scholarship
represents the reasonable cost of each-way travel to the Svensson 2005
national Industry Conference of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse
Industry, Bundaberg, one free registration and accommodation and sustenance
for two nights. Nominations are accepted from worthy individuals who are
able to widen and share their knowledge with others by attending the Conference.
For further information,
go to the AHGA website (www.ahga.org.au), and print or download the Encouragement
Scholarship application form and guidelines.
Alternatively, contact
the AHGA Administrator.
Phone (02) 9939-5993
Mb 0414 333-996 email: administrator@ahga.or.au
CONFERENCE VENUE
The Svensson 2005
National Conference will be help at the Bundaberg Civic centre, Bourbong
St, Bundaberg, Queensland, which is located in the city centre.
Bundaberg has a
subtropical climate that is ideal for growing crops. The AHGA selected
this location for the conference because of substantial grower interest
in the range of large greenhouse facilities, which have been developed
there in recent years. Bundaberg is also a popular tourist destination
and may present the opportunity to extend your stay and enjoy the warm
“mid winter” days and cool nights.
ACCOMMODATION
Delegates are responsible
for arranging their own accommodation. There is a wide range of accommodation
available in and near Bundaberg ranging from a 5-star resort on the coast,
to – and 4-star hotels and motels. Many of these are within easy walking
distance of the conference venue. A listing is given on the conference
page of the AHGA website: www.ahga.org.au.
A number of accommodation
options have been block-booked for delegates attending the conference.
When booking, delegates should indicate that they are attending the AHGA
Conference to get the conference discount. Bookings will not be held after
8 July 2005.
The biggest Air
Show in Queensland will be hosted in Bundaberg at the same time as the
Conference and the Trade Show. Therefore, delegates are urged to book their
accommodation early.
GETTING TO BUNDABERG
Located 368km north
of Brisbane, Bundaberg is accessible by road (car or bus), train and plane.
By road, Bundaberg is c comfortable 4-hour drive along the Bruce Highway.
Highlights along the way include the majestic Glasshouse Mountains with
turnoff to the surf playground of the Sunshine Coast at Noosa, Maroochydore
and Mooloolaba. Further north you pass through the historic gold-mining
town of Gympie, and the heritage city of Maryborough. The turnoff to Heavy
Bay leads to many quaint beachside cafes and restaurants and access to
the world heritage area of Fraser Island. From here you can head north
along the Great Barrier Reef, with the southern most portion adjacent Bundaberg.
Bundaberg is known as the home of Australian Rum.
For more information
visit: www.bundabergonline.com.au
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
OUTLINE
The Svensson 2005
National Conference of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Industry
will have as its theme: Commercial Realities of Greenhouse Production.
A very interesting program has been developed around this theme and includes
presentations on the challenges of warm conditions to both crop production
and IPM. This will interest growers from southern States and elsewhere
who experience hot summers, as well as those growing in sub-tropical areas.
Overseas speakers
have been invited from Sweden, the UK, Israel, the US and New Zealand as
well as scientific and commercial sources. This is definitely not a conference
to be missed by existing and intending growers.
