The 10th World Avocado Congress was a big hit in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland organisers claim.
New Zealand’s strong agritech industry, horticulture sector and destination appeal attracted a delegation exceeding expectations, with 1,160 attendees including 750 international delegates from as far afield as Mexico, Peru and South Africa.
“Feedback from the event has been phenomenal, everyone in the avocado industry came together, to share, to collaborate and to collectively influence positive growth of the whole sector,” said Jen Scoular, CEO of conference host New Zealand Avocado and president of the World Avocado Congress Committee.
“It was an amazing opportunity to showcase our wonderful country, our growers, our technology and of course our avocado sector. New Zealand currently produces just 2% of the global supply but is the ninth largest international avocado exporter, with an ambitious strategy to grow to a $1bn industry by 2040. Delegates learned so much from this congress, it’s professional development you cannot get anywhere else.”
The event kicked off with buses taking 760 delegates to 10 different field days across two days in south Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty, to visit orchards and packhouses, and hear science presentations from Plant and Food Research. With 35% of delegates listing agritech as a reason for being at the congress, it also provided an opportunity to see seven New Zealand agritech businesses in operation.
This was followed by three days of academic programming at Auckland city centre venue Aotea Centre – Te Pokapū. The event kicked off with an opening ceremony with a traditional welcome from local iwi (tribe) Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, plus a Māori cultural performance to immerse guests in Aotearoa New Zealand’s culture. New Zealand’s minister of customs, minister of food safety and associate minister of agriculture opened proceedings, encouraging attendees to celebrate the industry’s successes and collaborate on future opportunities for growth.
New knowledge
The programme featured eight keynote speakers, panel discussions, and more than 130 presentations from speakers representing 16 countries, on topics from science in avocados to consumer marketing, to climate change, technology and sustainability initiatives from around the world.
“To have that new knowledge being shared in New Zealand adds real value to many sectors,” Scoular added.
Sessions were translated in both Spanish and English. Booths from the nine sponsors and an additional 26 exhibitors across three levels of the venue offered a further opportunity for delegates to circulate and network.
Conference operations were all run by members of environmental responsibility certifier Toitū Envirocare – venue Aotea Centre, regional body Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, PCO The Conference Company and caterer Urban Gourmet. From gifting refillable water bottles to the use of a conference app to reduce collateral, sustainability efforts were made across energy and water saving, waste reduction, and recycling.
“People really liked being able to walk down the street to have a meal together or visit Britomart, Commercial Bay or the Viaduct. It was great to see people with their vibrant congress bags and lanyards on, walking around enjoying Auckland,” said Scoular
Lasting impact
The conference delivered a $2.6m boost to the visitor economy for Auckland and New Zealand.
The event received funding and support for its bid and marketing though Auckland Convention Bureau, a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and Tourism New Zealand’s Business Events team.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy said: “World Avocado Congress is a great example of the multiple benefits an international conference brings to New Zealand. The international visitors explored New Zealand, delivering economic value to our tourism sector. They also explored commercial opportunities and research and collaboration possibilities which will have long-term positive effects for our horticulture and agritech sectors.”
A social highlight of the conference was the sold out Gala Dinner at Cordis Auckland.
