HORT CONNECTIONS HIGHLIGHTS 2017 - EMMA TOWNSEND

Emma Townsend, GM of Fibre King and PMA ANZ Board Member, give’s her highlights from Hort Connections 2017.

The inaugural Hort Connections 2017 was a huge success for both PMA A-NZ and AusVeg, bringing together over 2000 growers, supply chain businesses, government stakeholders and service providers in the Australian and New Zealand horticultural industry.

Emma attended this event to catch up with existing clients and discover new xx and innovations in the fresh produce industry.

“Networking was one of the biggest highlight’s for me,” commented Emma, “The Fresh Produce industry is fast paced and lean, and taking time away from the business is rare. So to have over the hort community together in the one location for three days is fantastic. Attendees include decision makers, operations and supply chain specialists, growers, processors and equipment suppliers – you can touch base with everyone along the fresh produce value chain”.

Other highlights included the conference discussions and networking events.

A wonderful presentation by Rachel Audigé entitled ‘Get Back Inside the Box”, highlighted the contraints that brain storming and ‘thinking outside the box’ can have on creative thinking. “Thinking inside the box encourages us to look internally - both from a business perspective and a company perspective - to identify and examine existing skills and resources that can be better developed or utilised in order to drive innovative,” said Emma, “Rachel presented the audience with some simple tools on how we can apply this Systematic Inventive Thinking to our businesses – it was a unique way of positioning how we innovate with the tools and resources we have, particularly in an economic environment that is always looking for ways to do more with less.”

For the third year running WFP hosted a delicious ‘roaming breakfast’ with special guest speakers and a whole lot of female power. “The idea behind the event is to promote diversity in fresh produce, and whilst this includes more women, it stretches beyond that. Great food, fantastic atmosphere and a gorgeous location, this event is one that will continue to grow.”. Emma is looking forward to representing Fibre King as well as WFP at next year’s event in Brisbane.