Spring Meeting 2023

Introduction

The AIPH Spring Meeting 2023 took place in Lisbon, Portugal from 13th-15th March. This location provided an excellent chance to learn about production opportunities in the area – especially in response to the energy cost crisis.

Programme

Sunday 12th March

18:00  Welcome Dinner

Monday 13th March

09:00 – 13:00    AIPH Expo Conference
14:30 – 16:30    AIPH Strategy Discussion

Tuesday 14th March

08:30 – 10:30    AIPH General Meeting
11:00 – 12:30    Ornamental Horticulture in Portugal – developments and opportunities in light of energy costs crisis
14:00 – 17:00    Member Presentations and discussions – members to deliver 10 – 15 minute presentations on:

• State of industry in their country/region
• Current challenges and opportunities
• Initiatives launched to support growers
• Green City Report
• Areas for further collaboration

Wednesday 15th March

AM:  Green City Tour
PM:  Professional Tours

AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference

09:00 – Chairman welcome and introduction

09:05 – Welcome from AIPH President – Mr. Leonardo Capitanio

A1 World Horticultural Expos – Progress reports

09:10 – Expo 2023 Doha Qatar

09:30 – Managing Transportation for Major Events – David McCrae, Vice President & Managing Director, TMS Global

09:45 – World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 Yokohama (Japan)

10:05 – Introduction to Biblo – Mustafa Kul

10:20 – BREAK

10:50 – Guide to Masterplanning for International Horticultural Expos – John Boon, ARCADIS

The “Guide to Masterplanning for International Horticultural Expos” publication, created by AIPH, supports AIPH-approved Expo organisers in choosing their Expo sites and creating Expo Masterplans. The guide focusses on the key elements to be considered when starting an Horticultural Expo project, provides several methodologies and best practices useful for Master planning of both the Expo site and its legacy. Backed by previous Expo case studies, examples of Masterplans and their pros and cons, as well as consideration of broader urban integration, this work will be of interest to every urbanist, landscape architect, city planner or developer.

B International Horticultural Exhibitions – Progress reports

11:20 – Expo 2023 Kahramanmaras (Türkiye)

11:40 – Suncheon International Garden Expo 2023 (South Korea)

11:50 – International Horticultural Exhibition Chengdu 2024 (China)

12:00 – Expo 2026 Udon Thani (Thailand)

12:20 – Expo 2028 Malatya (Türkiye)

12:40 – Closing remarks

12:45 – LUNCH

Watch the conference on-demand

Ornamental Horticulture in Portugal

Set against the backdrop of sunny Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, the Ornamental Horticulture in Portugal Conference welcomed academic experts and industry professionals to speak about the opportunities the country offers and the challenges it faces.

The conference, which took place on 14^th March, was organised by AIPH in collaboration with the Portuguese Association of Producers of Natural Plants and Flowers (APPP-FN) and sponsored by GLOBALG.A.P. It was a part of the AIPH Spring Meeting where members come together from around the world.

Ricardo Silvestre, Vice-President of APPP-FN, opened the conference with an overview of the association’s work. He said: “One of the major aims of APPP-FN is to promote dialogue among professionals, institutions, and society, in order to make Portuguese ornamental production more competitive.”

Portugal has a long history with flowers, with Montijo – a region close to Lisbon – being the heart of flower production in the country. Ricardo highlighted that changes in EU legislation regarding plant health is a big issue for Portuguese growers as it is difficult to keep up-to-date.

Miguel Costa, a researcher and lecturer at the University of Lisbon, gave a comprehensive overview of the ornamental horticultural industry in Portugal. Miguel commented: “We are a small country, but we are the 8^th top producer of ornamentals in Europe.”

With his research focusing on sustainability and climate issues in viticulture and horticulture, Miguel has a vast knowledge of the benefits and challenges of Portugal’s environment for growers. He said: “We have two types of climate. In the north, there are cooler temperatures and wet, rainy winters, and in the south there is less precipitation. It’s a small country but with a lot of variation.”

Ornamentals are produced close to consumer centres, such as Lisbon, and along the Atlantic coast where there are more moderate temperatures. The most produced cut flower in the country is the protea.

Rick van Woudenberg, Co-Owner of Van Woudenberg Tuinplanten, offered a different perspective on growing in Portugal. As a Dutch native who expanded his family business to a new country, Rick sees Portugal as a prime investment for the horticultural industry.

“Twelve years ago, in the Netherlands, we grew early spring perennials in greenhouses,” Rick said. “The greenhouses give very soft-flowering plants and I thought ‘we have to do this differently, we have to give the customers the choice of a hardy plant.’ From then on, we learned how to produce our perennials in Portugal.”

The Portuguese climate allows companies like Van Woudenberg Tuinplanten to produce all year round, therefore meeting seasonal demands with greater ease.

Sarah von Fintel, Key Account Manager for Floriculture Sales and Stakeholder Relations for GLOBALG.A.P., also joined the conference to inform guests about the organisation’s certification schemes and how they benefit growers. Around 2,500 ornamentals producers around the world are GLOBALG.A.P. certified, including growers in Portugal.

Commenting on the event, AIPH Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe said: “This conference and the nursery tours near Lisbon gave us a valuable insight into the Portuguese industry.  There are most definitely opportunities for growth here as production becomes much less financially viable in other higher cost regions of Europe.”

Watch the conference on-demand

Green City Tours

Visits to key Green sites in the city, including

Lisboa Greenhouse

The Lisboa Greenhouse is found within Parque Eduardo VII in the heart of Lisbon. Established in 1933, the complex comprises three unique greenhouses – Estufa Fria (Cold Greenhouse), Estufa Quente (Hot Greenhouse), and Estufa Doce (Sweet Greenhouse).

Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Park

Named after an Armenian oil tycoon and art collector, the Gulbenkian Park is a cultural hub for the city. It was designed by landscape architects Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles and António Viana Barreiro in 1969.

Parque das Nações

The Parque das Nações (Park of the Nations) is a district in Lisbon built for the 1998 Lisbon World Exposition. The Expo’s theme was ‘The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future’ and it welcomed 11 million visitors. Since its closure, the area has been transformed into a residential district which more than 30,000 people call home.

Lunch

Lunch at the Sky Bar Oriente. This restaurant is a benchmark in Lisbon and stands out for its amazing skyline and river views and versatility. Located on the 16th floor of the Tivoli Oriente Lisboa Hotel, the stunning views from this rooftop bar let you appreciate this modern side of city life in Lisbon.

Professional Tours

Visits to ornamentals growers in the region, including:

Florineve

Established in 1996, Florineve produces 50 varieties of cut flowers in the microclimate of Montijo – the main flower producing region in the country. They currently have 110 employees who work across their 28 hectares of production.

W: www.florineve.pt

Sjaak van Schie

A Dutch company specialising in hydrangeas, Sjaak van Schie expanded to Portugal in 1999 where cuttings can be produced all year round. Sjaak van Schie is committed to sustainable production, which is why they grow their plants in a sustainable matter and recycle most of the water they use.

W: www.sjaakvanschie.pt

Farewell Dinner

Farewell Dinner at Lidia Restaurant & Bar. Local and cozy restaurant where homemade Mediterranean cuisine with an amazing range of delicious and freshly prepared dishes.

Speakers

Miguel Costa

Miguel Costa is a professor and researcher at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, University of Lisbon, where he also teaches Viticulture and Horticultural Production Systems. In the last decade, Miguel has been working on grapevine stress ecophysiology, stress monitoring, use of thermography in plant phenotyping and stress monitoring, and sustainability issues in viticulture and horticulture.

John Boon

John has more than 25 years of experience as a landscape architect. From 2007 till 2012 he was head of design of Floriade 2012, the world horticultural expo in Venlo (The Netherlands). In this prestigious project, he has shown that, even under pressure, he is able to deliver the desired quality within time and budget. CNN named Floriade 2012 as one of the top 10 places worth visiting worldwide.

Since than John is involved in prestigious projects in The Netherlands and abroad. Among other places he has been working in Turkey, South Korea, Dubai, Peru and China. In most of his project’s ‘experience’ plays a key role.

John is also at the forefront when it comes to sustainable and healthy outdoor space design. In the Netherlands he introduced the Healthy City Index.

David McCrae

David has been an event professional for 38 years and is Vice-President and General Manager of TMS Global and has responsibility for all the company’s international projects and supports project directors and their teams that deliver the various transportation programmes in TMS and TMS Global’s worldwide portfolio.
David has operated or provided project support and guidance for teams at the world’s most eminent events, including the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Salt Lake City, USA), 2006 Asian Games (Doha, Qatar), 2010 FIFA World Cup (South Africa), 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games (London, UK), 2014 Commonwealth Games (Glasgow, Scotland) and 2022 FIFA World Cup (Qatar).

Sarah von Fintel

Sarah von Fintel began her career with GLOBALG.A.P. in 2008, serving as a member of the marketing department. Over the years, she has demonstrated her commitment to the organisation and its mission, and in 2018, she was appointed as the Key Account Manager for Floriculture Sales and Stakeholder Relations. In this role, Sarah has been instrumental in promoting the adoption of the GGN label among producers, traders, and retailers. With her extensive institutional expertise and unwavering dedication to supporting producers and companies that use GLOBALG.A.P. Floriculture products and embrace the GGN label, Sarah is an invaluable member of the team.

Ricardo Silvestre

Started as a producer in 1991, with the installation of a laboratory and greenhouses for the micropropagation of ornamental plants.
Since 1992, representative of a Belgian company of equipment for nurseries – seeding and potting machines and internal transport systems.
1995 – 1999, Production of sown ornamental young plants, especially annuals, and horticultural and forestry young plants.
2000 – 2023, Production of ornamentals pot plants from seeding and propagation.
Experience in marketing ornamentals in the domestic market for resellers, supermarkets and garden centres.
Since 2011, experienced in producing aromatic potted herbs in small formats, according to organic farming rules, using different substrates, including a peat free.
Since 2015 experience in collaboration and development of investment projects.
Associative activity:
2011 – 2017 – President APPP-FN
2017 – 2023 – Vice-President APPP-FN

Biblo Event has been planning innovative, creative and perfect events with enthusiasm since 2013.

With our experienced and competent team, we carry out the solid works of big days with confidence.

W: www.bibloevent.com

Transportation Management Services’ mission is to move people safely and reliably while delivering a personal and positive experience that aligns with clients’ goals. With 25 years’ experience managing transportation for thousands of events worldwide, they take great pride in serving as an extension of a clients’ team. They understand the unique challenges of each city and convention centre and can provide in-depth local expertise regardless of your event’s location. At TMS, it’s about both the journey and the destination.

W: www.tms.com

Contact: David McCrae, Vice-President and Managing Director – dmccrae@tms.com

GLOBALG.A.P. is a brand of smart farm assurance solutions developed by FoodPLUS GmbH in Cologne, Germany, with cooperation from producers, retailers, and other stakeholders from across the food industry. These solutions include a range of standards for safe, socially and environmentally responsible farming practices. The most widely used GLOBALG.A.P. standard is Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA), applicable for fruit and vegetables, aquaculture, floriculture, livestock, and more. This standard also forms the basis for the GGN label: The consumer label for certified, responsible farming and transparency.

The GLOBALG.A.P. brand began its journey as EUREPGAP in 1997. Two decades later, over 200,000 producers are under GLOBALG.A.P. certification in 134 countries. Nearly 150 team members around the world are dedicated to the mission of spreading responsible farming practices to ensure safe food for future generations.

About the GGN Label

The GGN label is the consumer label from GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS GmbH. It stands for certified, responsible farming and transparency.

Found on both packed and loose products, the GGN label exists to offer consumers consistent, relevant assurance and orientation throughout the store. It does so by confirming that the products were farmed in line with certified, responsible farming practices that cover food safety, environmental protection, animal welfare, social responsibility, and supply chain transparency.

W: www.globalgap.org

Sponsor the AIPH Spring Meeting 2023

The AIPH Spring Meeting is an excellent platform for promotion to a top quality and influential audience. Attending the AIPH Spring Meeting will be Expo organisers of AIPH approved events, AIPH members, other horticulture industry delegates and speakers.

With excellent promotional and branding benefits at the Spring Meeting itself, you will enjoy quality exposure through AIPH media and communications channels, as well as FloraCulture International (FCI) magazine, published monthly and digitally by AIPH.

The Portuguese Association of Producers of Natural Plants and Flowers (APPPFN) was formed on February 15, 1982. It represents around 80% of national production and includes nurseries, outdoor and indoor ornamental producers and producers of cut flowers, foliage, among others.

The association intends to contribute to the development of Portuguese Ornamental Horticulture by boosting the sector, meeting the needs of national producers and defending their rights.

W: www.apppfn.pt

Guiaverde is a specialist media for the horticultural sector in Spain and Portugal. Professional Web Portal and Printed Directory about Companies, Products and Services from the Horticulture, Gardening and Associated Markets.

W: www.guiaverde.com

FloraCulture International (FCI), your gateway to global ornamental horticulture is the only international trade magazine in the worldwide ornamental sector. FCI shares knowledge, inspires, and strengthens the special and necessary cooperation within the ornamental sector by bringing people, markets and cultures together in the themes and articles.

W: www.floracultureinternational.com

Preferred Partners

AIPH Preferred Partners are top quality companies with a proven track record of providing goods and services to major, international events. Whilst AIPH fully endorses these businesses, we do not mandate the use of these organisations. However, we encourage AIPH Expo organisers to have discussions with them to see how they can support and further enhance your Expo.

Biosecurity Systems

Biosecurity Systems delivers integrated technology and services to diminish the risk of COVID-19 and other epidemic infections in the workplace. Founded in Australia by an international group of technologists, manufacturers, health experts and security experts, Biosecurity Systems analyzes, manufactures, supplies and implements global best practice in risk minimization, technologies, threat intelligence and operations. Our mission is to ensure that visitors, proprietors and staff are safe and confident.

W: www.biosecurity-systems.com

Contact: Paul Twomey, CEO – paul.twomey@biosecurity-systems.com

Cirque Bijou

Cirque Bijou pushes the boundaries of contemporary performance, street theatre and spectacle, seeking out the new, unexpected and extraordinary to create unforgettable, exquisitely-crafted live shows.

Their proven storytelling and show-making skills can be utilised to develop truly innovative live performances. These can engage audiences as well as convey complex Expo themes in highly original and memorable ways.

With over 20 years of experience creating a large-scale celebratory performance for international events and an impeccable health and safety record, Cirque Bijou are the trusted partner for creating innovative, remarkable shows that can make any event unforgettable.

W: www.cirquebijou.co.uk

Contact: Nick Prichard, International Development, Cirque – nickprichard@cirquebijou.co.uk

CSM Live

CSM Live is a global, integrated, branding, and live experience agency working across sport, entertainment, culture, corporate, retail and more. They create extraordinary experiences with impact, through everything from event look and feel, to overlay wayfinding, traditional and digital signage solutions, and innovation and creative, experiences, tech and 3D build.

W: www.csmlive.com

Contact: Giles Stanford, Director, Global Projects – giles.stanford@csmlive.com

Direct Access

Direct Access is international, award-winning disability accessibility and inclusion consultancy. We enable our clients to create innovative, accessible events, festivals, and displays that are open to all.

From single object interpretation in sign language, audio description or tactile form to full event planning and fit-out covering site layout, temporary and permanent builds, wayfinding, interpretive performances and staff training, Direct Access creates Access for Everybody.

W: www.directaccessgp.com

Contact: Steve Dering, Operations Director, Direct Access Consultancy – sdering@directaccess.group

IGMPR

IGMPR is a project development and design firm based in The Netherlands and China that specialised in creating themed floral and horticultural attractions and destinations. IGMPR combines its creativity and fascination for flowers and their use across cultures, art and history, with the practical approach of an engineer and investor. The projects IGMPR is involved in typically attract hundreds of thousands to millions of visitors each year. IGMPR supports the growing global flower and garden tourism industry with a comprehensive package of services ranging from planning, creative design to implementation.

W: www.imagineeringhorticulture.com

Contact: Ibo Gülsen, Managing Director – ibo.gulsen@igmpr.nl

Khaya

Khaya is a leading provider of accommodation and logistic solutions. In 12 years we have grown into a household name in the world of sports.
We specialise in providing accommodation, as well as ground transportation and hospitality services to groups of all sizes. Your convenience is our business.

W: www.khaya.global.com

Contact: Volkhard Bauer, CEO, Khaya Global – volkhard@khaya.global

Losberger De Boer

Losberger De Boer is a leading global provider of temporary to permanent buildings. It is known for delivering top of class space solutions for events, as well as for commercial and public use. Setting the standard in event space for decades, all Losberger De Boer structures are modular, quick-to-build and tailor-made to ensure maximum client satisfaction.

W: www.deboer.com

Contact: Francis Scholten, Managing Director of International Projects – francis.scholten@losbergerdeboer.com

Lowe

We are Lowe Award-Winning Worldwide Rental Specialists in Commercial Refrigeration, Temporary Mobile Kitchens, Catering Equipment & Modular Cold Rooms.

Established in 1977 we supply refrigeration to the food and beverage exhibition market. Our global presence has seen us provide solutions in more than 44 countries, drawing upon the wealth of knowledge of our highly diverse expert teams. Our success is all about our teams, hailing from more than 23 nationalities, speaking more than 14 languages, and bringing more than 3,000 years of industry experience.

• 500,000+ Annual Number of Assets Rented Globally
• 1,500+ Events & Exhibitions Supplied Annually

Lowe Corporation leads the industry in innovation, bringing together our bespoke brands with a collective focus on providing cutting-edge refrigeration, industry redefining Internet of Things technology, and providing the complete catering supply experience.

W: www.lowerental.com

Contact: Chief Operating Officer, Asia – Mark.Wood@lowerental.com

Mancini Worldwide

PERA

PERA Event is an international service agency for special events, M.I.C.E. entertainment and event counselling. Based in Istanbul, Turkey, the group offers solutions, support and services to participants in the development and implementation of International Horticultural Exhibitions.

W: www.pera.com.tr

Contact: Harun Guzel – harun.guzel@tmevent.org

TaylorBridges

TaylorBridges understand exactly what companies require from a safety & security training standpoint, with a vast experience spanning 30 years and working towards national and international standards, they are more than qualified to help your business – wherever you are in the world.

W: www.taylorbridgesconsultancy.com

Contact: Steve Laws, Director – steve.laws@taylorbridgesconsultancy.com

Transportation Management Services

Transportation Management Services’ mission is to move people safely and reliably while delivering a personal and positive experience that aligns with clients’ goals. With 25 years’ experience managing transportation for thousands of events worldwide, they take great pride in serving as an extension of a clients’ team. They understand the unique challenges of each city and convention centre and can provide in-depth local expertise regardless of your event’s location. At TMS, it’s about both the journey and the destination.

W: www.tms.com

Contact: David McCrae, Vice-President and Managing Director – dmccrae@tms.com

WeTrack

WeTrack’s planning and operations software support the operations of the best events, venues and organisations in the world. It was born out of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by project and venue managers who wanted to improve the way event operators plan and deliver major events. Since the first client in 2014 – the Ryder Cup, at Gleneagles – they have grown to serve major sporting events, venues and organisations including Wimbledon, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Royal Ascot, the FIA and the International Triathlon Union.

W: www.wetrack.com

Contact: Peter Ward, Managing Director – Peter@wetrack.com