17 July 2013 - Pipfruit New Zealand inc.
The New Zealand pipfruit industry will hold its annual conference in Havelock North at the Riverbend Centre on the 7th & 8th of August 2013.
Two hundred industry participants are expected to attend the conference which is considered an important networking opportunity and planning meeting for the growing season ahead.
The conference will be opened by Plant and Food Research, Chief Operating Officer, Bruce Campbell followed by the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Nathan Guy.
The theme of Day One of the conference is $1bn by 2022. Pipfruit New Zealand CEO, Alan Pollard said “It is about our contribution to the Governments export growth strategy, and MPI’s and Hort NZ’s strategic vision. The basis for this is a sustainable, growing, profitable industry generating returns to growers that recognise their efforts, risk and investment.”
“We will be identifying and quantifying our future local and export opportunities over the next five to ten years; and launching the Pipfruit NZ strategy which will identify what Pipfruit NZ will be focusing on to help industry achieve this aspirational goal.”
The afternoon session of Day One will include guest speakers; Andrew Coleman and Carol Barnao from MPI; Kelvin Whall from Beef & Lamb NZ; and Phil O’Reilly from Business NZ.
Day One will conclude with a “Members Only” Session and AGM.
Day Two of the conference will be tailored to pipfruit growers. The technical workshop presents the results from the previous season’s research programme and a discussion on planned projects for the 2013-14 season.
The conference dinner on the 7th August will be hosted at the Havelock North Community Centre. This year’s guest speaker will be Dave Currie, New Zealand’s Chef de Mission for the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Teams since 2000.
Statement ends.