AIPH

Padova, Italy: The 70^th Annual Congress of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) was held in Padova, 17-22^nd September, to coincide with the opening of the AIPH-approved Flormart horticultural trade exhibition.

The AIPH Congress, comprised of a full six-day programme, included speeches, presentations, discussions, workshops, tours and professional visits.

The Congress started with the AIPH International Expo Conference, held in the Flormart venue. The conference provided a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing between Expo organisers.

On Wednesday 19^th September, Flormart also hosted the AIPH International Green City Conference and the Flormart exhibition opened for the first of its three-day duration. The day was followed by dinner, drinks and live music, warmly hosted by Flormart for AIPH members.

AIPH Secretary General Tim Briercliffe said that “Aligning the schedules of these two key events in the horticultural producers’ diary provided an ideal opportunity for our members to combine their participation in the AIPH Congress with a visit to Flormart.” AIPH members had the opportunity to explore the AIPH-approved category D exhibition.

The convenience of Flormart’s location in the North East of Italy also provided an ideal opportunity for members attending the AIPH Congress to include trips to the oldest university botanical gardens in Padova, as well as five professional nursery tours in Pistoia.

The special programme, put together to celebrate 70 years of AIPH, was well attended by members from all over the globe. Tim Briercliffe added “We give our sincere thanks to Flormart for their generous hospitality and, also to ANVE, members of AIPH in Italy. The support from both partners has enabled us to hold this special anniversary event in the beautiful city of Padova.”

The next AIPH Congress will be held in Amsterdam in Spring 2019. Next year Flormart will follow AIPH in celebrating its 70^th birthday.