Knowledge for Trade and Manufacturers Seminar on 5 September. Check out what’s on the agenda!
The 31st edition of the GREEN TO LIFE trade fair is fast approaching. The programme for this year’s event is guided by the slogan: Discover the power of synergy! One of the highlights of the programme is the Knowledge for Trade and Producers Seminar, which will be held on 5 September, the first day of the Fair. Check out what’s interesting about the programme and save this date in your calendar!
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11:30 – 11:40 Opening
11:40 – 12:10 Sustainability and marketing initiatives to support the horticultural industry in France
In her presentation, Catherine Muller will explain how Val’hor has embedded sustainability within its strategic roadmap to 2030, aiming at enabling companies to manage their environmental challenges while promoting their activities and creating value. Among other concrete examples, Catherine will address the creation of a bold new collection & recycling stream for professional plant pots. She will further detail the sustainability & quality labelling and certification initiatives for products and companies (such as “Plante Bleue / Blue Plant”). Catherine will also tackle our latest communication campaign on water management dedicated to the general public as well as decision makers considering nature-based solutions for the adaptation of cities.
Catherine Muller is President of VALHOR, the French interbranch organization dedicated to horticulture, floristry and landscape. Over 25 years, Catherine ran with her husband a landscape company near Strasbourg in France. Designing, building, planting and maintaining green spaces, all these services were performed upon a wide range of environments: public parks, gardens of private and shared residences, grounds of schools, hospitals, offices and other commercial buildings, sports greens, and alongside roads. Catherine was president of UNEP (Union Nationale des Entreprises du Paysage France) from 2013 to 2019. She was member of the board of ELCA (European Landscape Contractors Association) from 2019 to 2022. In 2021, she was elected president of VALHOR.
12:10 – 12:40 Supporting the horticultural industry on sustainable production and future challenges
Edmund Timm – manager Commerce, Marketing & Communication, MPS, Netherlands. Edmund joined the Dutch environmental certification scheme MPS as commercial director in September 2022. He has a proven track record in leading positions and a good understanding of standardisation’s needs, strengths, and values within the international business environment. He has extensive knowledge of making use of data to improve business and calculated footprints for more than 150 customers in 20 countries.
12:40 – 13:10 Beneficial microorganisms and bionaviruses as an opportunity for sustainable horticulture
Beneficial microorganism consortia and bionaviruses are cutting-edge solutions for sustainable horticulture, increasing the efficiency of crop production. They include bacteria, actinomycetes, filamentous and mycorrhizal fungi that improve soil quality and plant growth and yield. Beneficial microorganisms produce biologically active compounds such as vitamins, growth regulators, antibiotics and nutrients. Biofertilisers provide plants with macro- and micronutrients and other substances necessary for growth, making it possible to reduce the use of mineral fertilisers and chemical plant protection products. Research conducted at the Institute of Horticulture PIB in Skierniewice confirms the effectiveness of micro-organisms in stimulating plant growth and improving soil quality. These technologies have been implemented in horticultural and agricultural practice, finding application in vegetable and fruit crops. The use of microbial biopreparations increases the tolerance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses and improves their storage and processing value. The increased interest in natural production methods is driven by consumer concerns about chemical residues in agricultural products and growing health awareness. Innovative microbial technologies respond to the needs of consumers and producers, increasing quality and yield while reducing costs and protecting the environment.
Prof. Dr. Lidia Sas-Paszt was awarded the title of Professor of Agricultural Sciences by the decision of the President of the Republic of Poland, dated 11 May 2020. She conducts research on the role of roots and rhizosphere in the growth and yield of horticultural plants and the development of sustainable and ecological methods of horticultural plant cultivation using beneficial microorganisms. Between 2002 and 2022 she coordinated/implemented 10 research and development projects funded by the European Commission and 18 projects from the science budget. She was a member of the Management Committees and Working Groups of 5 COST Actions of the European Commission. She has extensive experience in coordinating and implementing R&D projects (CEAF, CRAFT, EraNet RURAGRI, EkoTechProdukt, HortiEnergia, Huntsman, EFSA Project, ŻywNatur, VORTEX, DEMOSTRATOR with INCO Group, BON Taylor, BON Arkpol, Domino, Akwaponika, Excalibur, BIO-FERTIL, EcoFruits, Resberry, ECONUTRI). She was the manager of more than 50 research and development works commissioned by economic entities. She was the coordinator of the project with the acronym BIO-FERTIL, entitled: ‘Development of technology for innovative microbially enriched mineral fertilisers’ for stimulating soil fertility and productivity (2018-2022).
13:10 – 13:40 How to get EU support to develop a nursery or garden centre?
What funding is available for gardeners? What support can be applied for, to what extent can it be recovered? What innovations are possible in horticulture, nursery, fruit and vegetable production ? These and other aspects of supporting the industry with EU funds will be discussed by Dr Marta Czaplicka from the Department of Horticulture at Wrocław University of Life Sciences. In the course of the lecture, we will learn about the planned and current calls for proposals and about topics which can support our daily work.
Dr. Marta Czaplicka – Head of the Department of Horticulture at Wrocław University of Life Sciences. Her daily work includes issues of innovation in horticulture, production in food quality systems, viticulture and wine production. In addition to his work at UPWr, he runs his own vineyard and several innovation projects.
13:40 – 14:10 How to sell so as to sell. The secrets of e-commerce
Karolina Kaldońska – a graduate of the Adam Mickiewicz University, Faculty of Social Sciences, M.A. in Philosophy, Marketing Faculty at the Poznań School of Banking, MBA in Poznań, Master of Business Administration, participant of trainings in management, presentation, sales techniques, category management, she has undergone a series of American Sales Masters trainings. She has worked for several international concerns in both sales and marketing positions, managing well-known global brands. She has launched a number of products that are still successful today in the FMCG, OTC Medicines or alcohol markets. She has trained FMCG, alcohol and drug wholesalers all over Poland in sales and product promotion and introduction. Initiator and organiser of: Horticultural Industry Forum, Horticultural and Zoological Industry Sales Congress, Ecobranch Forum, Ecobranch Congress. Initiator and founder of the first business magazine about and for the horticultural industry on the market: Business Gardening,www.biznes-ogrodniczy.pl. She runs the gardening advice portal www.karolawogrodzie.pl as well as facebook, instagram, youtube and tiktok under the name: Karola w Ogrodzie.
14:10 – 14:40 Sustainability and marketing initiatives to support the horticulture industry in Australia
Joanna Cave – Chief Executive of Greenlife Industry Australia. Jo has over 25 years’ successful leadership experience as CEO of a variety of peak bodies, member organisations and not-for-profit associations. Greenlife Industry Australia is AIPH’s member in Australia, representing horticultural producers in the country.
14:40 – 15:10 Influencer impact on sales in the horticulture industry in China
In his presentation, Uncle Wang will:
- Share the current live streaming situation of gardening e-commerce in China, including Taobao, TikTok, and WeChat platforms.
- Share the detailed framework and forms of gardening live streaming.
- Prospect of the gardening e-commerce industry in China.
Ding Wang is a Horticulture streamer and CEO of JiaXingYunYao Flower Co., Ltd. Wang’s professional journey commenced in 2016. Before that, he was an ardent gardener who shared his gardening life and planting experience on the internet. As his following expanded, he transitioned into the horticultural industry officially, disseminating gardening expertise and horticultural insights online, as well as promoting superior new plant cultivars and establishing his own enterprise. To date, his enterprise has garnered over five million followers across various social media platforms, and they have achieved annual sales volume in excess of 100 million yuan through live-streaming sales. Their product range encompasses hundreds of growing items, including gardening implements and fertilizers.
15:10 – 15:40 The role of social media in a green industry
Brenda Swinkels is Sales director at Smits Nurseries in the Netherlands. Smits is a tree nursery specialized in solitaires and hedging plants. Brenda has more than 20 years experience in tree nursery industry. She’s responsible for sales, advice and public relations. In 2021 she won the ‘Greenfluercer’ award. Her mission is to green public- and private spaces. Therefore, she trend watching and using social media to promote the green industry to reach out to a new generation and new communities.
