Invitation

Dear member,

The future is Green! Which elements will become key to remain successful and relevant in the upcoming years? Find out during the Breeders & Distributors Conference on 4th and 5th of December 2024.

Join us in the Deventer area of the Netherlands to meet with your industry colleagues and get ready for the future. Cooperation, Sustainability, Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence are only some of the themes that will be addressed during this event.

 

In a rapidly changing horticultural market, remaining successful becomes increasingly challenging. What will it take to stay on top of your game in the upcoming years? This conference offers insights and inspiration which will take you forward in your strategic decision making process. The programme centers around three topics: sustainability, cooperation and data management. 
 
The first session, "Implement Sustainability throughout your Supply Chain," will focus on the latest developments in the field of eco-friendly plant production. Marcel Hubers, Technical Manager Syngenta Professional Solutions, will provide the latest insights regarding earth & climate-friendly crop protection. Sören Affeld, CEO Stender Substrate, will fill us in on the future of substrates, including the latest resource-friendly alternatives and the company's mission 'peat-free'. The view from Raimon Loman, Group Sustainability Manager of the Dutch Flower Group, on the expectations of retail regarding sustainable plant breeding and production in the upcoming years will round off this part.

Following the morning session, attendees will depart by bus to Schoneveld. The second session of the day "Cooperate & Tell your Story" dives deeper into the benefits and possibilities of enhanced cooperation. Peter van de Pol, Director/Owner Schoneveld Breeding and Joost Kos, Director Breeding & Development Royal van Zanten, will provide insights on how their companies joined forces with KP Holland, Labeau, Interplant Roses and Fresh Forward. Under the label Breeding Accel, the knowledge of these breeders is bundled and joint research performed. Offering inspiration from the food sector, Teunis Sikma, Managing Director of Fresh Forward, will explain how the fruit industry is able to build strong brands thanks to well-balanced partnerships with selected retailers. Following the presentations, participants will have the opportunity to visit the Breeding Accel molecular lab, see the Schoneveld breeding and seed production facilities and exchange with the Breeding Accel partners. The day will be wrapped up with networking drinks and dinner at Schoneveld. After dinner, the bus will bring us back to the hotel where the bar will be open for those who wish to continue the evening. 

 

On Day 2, the focus shifts to "Manage your Data: Cybersecurity & AI." The third session begins with Dr. Matthias Redlefsen, Managing Director Benary, who will talk about the impact of being hacked and lessons learnt throughout the recovery process. Josephine van Luik, Greenport Cyber Resilience Center, will discuss how companies can protect themselves in the digital era, providing valuable insights into cybersecurity strategies for modern businesses. This session will be wrapped up with insights on Artificial Intelligence, including practical advice on how to integrate AI for business growth and efficiency. The conference will conclude with lunch at the hotel. 

We hope you will join us for this one of a kind event! 

Best regards,

Marc Driessen, Beekenkamp Plants | President Fleuroselect
Thomas Bousart, Benary | Vice-President & Chair Protection B.U. 
Foeke Gardenier, Dümmen Orange | Vice-Chair Protection B.U. 
Ulrich Sander, Selecta one | Chair Breeders B.U. 
Olivier Clisson, Syngenta Flowers | Vice-Chair Breeders B.U.
Leo Hoogendoorn, Florensis | Chair Production & Distribution B.U. 
Geert-Jan Aaldering, Schneider Youngplants | Vice-Chair Production & Distribution B.U.
Ann Jennen, Secretary-General Fleuroselect

Hotel

 

The brand new Van der Valk Hotel Deventer offers a range of excellent facilities to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay. The hotel provides free parking for all guests and is equipped with electric car charging stations. For travellers arriving by plane, the hotel is accessible from two major airports: Schiphol Airport (approximately 1.5 hours by car or train) and Eindhoven Airport (about 1.5 to 2 hours by car). If you are traveling by train, Deventer Central Station is just a short taxi drive or bus ride away, providing excellent connections to the rest of the Netherlands. For those arriving the day before, the hotel's restaurant offers an extensive à la carte menu and is open until 22:00 hrs. Van der Valk Hotel Deventer offers a 24-hour reception service.

Preliminary Programme

Wednesday 4 December

09:00 hrs	Arrivals & Coffee
09:30 hrs	Welcome & Update form the Board
	Part 1 | Implement sustainability throughout your supply chain
09.45 hrs	Pres. 1: Impact of sustainability in Crop Protection
	Speaker: Marcel Hubers, Technical Manager Syngenta Professional Solutions
10.30 hrs	Pres. 2: Substrates, how to move forward?
	Speaker: Sören Affeld, CEO Stender Substrate
11.15 hrs	Coffee Break
11.45 hrs	Pres. 3: What will retail expect from us?
	Speaker: Raimon Loman,                Group Sustainability Manager Dutch Flower Group
12.30 hrs	Lunch at Hotel
13.30 hrs	Departure by bus to Schoneveld
	Part 2 | Cooperate & Tell your Story
14.00 hrs	Pres. 4: Breeding Accel - How to successfully cooperate at pre-competitive level? Speakers: Peter van de Pol, Director/Owner Schoneveld Breeding and Joost Kos, Director Breeding & Development Royal van Zanten
14.45 hrs	Pres. 5: How to build a strong brand at retail and consumer level | looking across the fence with fruit brands. Speaker: Teunis Sikma, Managing Director Fresh Forward
15.30 hrs	Coffee Break
16.00 hrs	Split up in 3 groups
	- Visit Molecular Lab Breeding Accel
	- Visit Schoneveld Breeding and Seed Production Facilities
	- Breeding Accel Central Plaza: possibility to discuss on 1-1 basis with company representatives.
18.00 hrs	Drinks
19.00 hrs	Dinner
20.30 hrs	Return to hotel by bus

Thursday 5 December

	Part 3 | Manage your Data: Cybersecurity & AI
09.00 hrs	Pres. 6: 'Heck, we have been hacked' | First-hand experience from the field
	Speaker: Dr. Matthias Redlefsen, Managing Director Benary
09.45 hrs	Pres. 7: Cybersecurity: how to protect your company in the digital era   Speaker: Josephine van Luik, Greenport Cyber Resilience Center
10.30 hrs	Coffee Break
11.00 hrs	Pres. 8: Artificial Intelligence - how to integrate AI for business growth and efficiency
	Speaker: To be confirmed
12.00 hrs	Round up & Lunch

Rates & Registration

Conference
Members: EUR 325
Non-Members: EUR 495
Participants under the age of 35 are eligible for a 35% discount on their participation fee, applicable when combined with a full registration. After completing your registration, kindly inform us via email if you or a colleague qualify for this discount, and we will adjust the invoice accordingly. Which of your junior colleagues would benefit from and be inspired by this year’s program? We look forward to welcoming them.

Registrations for the Conference are taken via below registration form at the bottom of this page.

Hotel room
- Deluxe room per room per night €167,50 Breakfast included.

How to book a room?
Please indicate your room preference on our conference registration form when signing up for this event. Room reservations are collected by Fleuroselect and passed on to the hotel. When your reservation is processed, you will receive a payment link from the hotel. Upon reception of payment, the hotel will send you the booking confirmation.