‘Growing avocados for the world’ is the theme of the upcoming New Zealand Avocado International Industry Conference 2018, which has a line-up of speakers from around the globe and NZ, who will cover the latest research and information on the fruit.

The three-day conference is being hosted at ASB Baypark, Tauranga from August 29-31 – and everyone in the avocado industry is welcome.

“Hosted in the Bay of Plenty, the heart of the avocado industry in NZ, this conference will showcase the latest avocado research, with international speakers and avocado experts and offer the opportunity to connect directly with avocado growers, from NZ and Australia,” says NZ Avocado CEO Jen Scoular, whose team is organising the event.

Jen says the conference theme ‘Growing avocados for the world’ represents the exciting opportunity the industry has to continue to expand across an international marketplace.

“The conference will inspire, connect and enable delegates to enhance their knowledge and be better prepared to grow premium avocados for the world.”

The programme of speakers, which includes industry experts from NZ and China, Australia, and Colombia, will present the latest knowledge and opinions of issues important to maximising value for the NZ avocado industry.

“The speakers will present on a useful cross section of topics including pollination and fruit set rates; using technology on-orchard to improve productivity; innovation of avocado; competing on a global stage; journey of sustainability within avocados; mitigation for irregular bearing; pruning; and much more.”

Attendees will have plenty of opportunities for networking and connecting with fellow avocado growers, social functions include the Avoco welcome event and Just Avocados Ltd conference dinner, which will be both entertaining and informative.

There will be a full exhibition space open on-site, offering growers key information and fantastic deals – and attendees have the opportunity to visit a number of successful orchards and postharvest facilities in the Bay of Plenty.

Technical experts from the industry will also speak and be part of a panel answering all those burning grower questions during an ‘on the couch’ session.

Or growers can visit the NZ Avocado stand in the exhibition hall for further technical support and to get answers to specific questions.

The conference returns after a five-year hiatus, with organisers pleased to have the support of Avoco as principal conference partner. Avoco is a significant new company formed by the two leading exporters of avocados from NZ, Southern Produce Ltd and Primor Produce Ltd.

For a full speaker line-up, programme, registration, tickets, see: www.avocadoconference.co.nz

For conference updates follow the event on Facebook: www.facebook.com/avocadoconference