Introduction

What does the future of ornamental plant breeding hold and how can we remain successful in times of political and financial uncertainty?

Join us on 3-4 December in the Netherlands to discover how robotics will shape the future of horticulture, visit the TTA-ISO and Deliflor Hoogveld facilities, and (re)connect with your industry colleagues.

Wednesday 3rd December

The first day of our Breeders & Distributors Conference focuses on breeding, robotics and production. The morning kicks off with three compelling presentations:

• BREEDING | Xarain van Os from Solynta provides insights on how the potato was transformed from an agricultural field crop into a horticultural product.
• ROBOTICS | Bram Verschoor from TTA-ISO dives into the future of robotics and automation for breeders.
• PRODUCTION | Peter Zaat from Deliflor lays out the operations of the Hoogveld greenhouse, producing chrysanthemum cuttings for Deliflor, Dümmen Orange and Royal van Zanten.

The afternoon foresees exclusive site visits to TTA-ISO and Deliflor Hoogveld. Guided tours will take attendees through the TTA-ISO inspiration centre, offering first-hand insights into the upcoming developments in cutting-edge horticultural technology, followed by a tour through the Deliflor Hoogveld greenhouses with their impressive degree of automation and state-of-art production facilities.

The day wraps up with drinks and dinner - perfect for networking and (re)connecting with industry peers.

Thursday 4th December

CORPORATE RESILIENCE & INTERGENERATIONAL COOPERATION

Day two opens with a thought-provoking roundtable on how to remain resilient as a company throughout financial and geopolitical challenges, moderated by agricultural journalist and presenter Simone van Trier. Panelists include key players from the entire horticultural chain, including:

• Breeding: Tosca Ferber-Koevoets, Chief Technology Officer, Dümmen Orange
• Young plant production: Hagen Kalläne, European Sales Manager, Florensis
• Production: Dieter Baas, Owner/Director, Kwekerij Baas
• Retail: Tim Clapp, Head of Range, Kingfisher
• Corporate/Finance: Arne Bac, Sector Manager Horticulture, Rabobank

After the coffee break, we welcome keynote speaker Aart Bontekoning, who will challenge us to think differently about organisational dynamics and the future of work. Known for his expertise in the evolution of work habits across generations, Aart will reveal how outdated practices drain energy from all generations, offering powerful insights into how organisations can embrace intergenerational collaboration to foster innovation, growth, and long-term success.

The conference concludes with a final wrap-up and lunch.

Van der Valk Hotel Gorinchem

Van der Valk Hotel Gorinchem offers a comfortable and modern setting with spacious facilities and a dedicated conference area. The hotel is conveniently located near the A15 motorway and provides free parking on-site, including options for electric vehicles.

For those traveling from abroad, Schiphol Airport is about an hour’s drive away. Gorinchem is also accessible by train, with local bus connections from the station to the hotel. Arriving by car is straightforward via the A15 or A27, with clear signage and easy access from major cities.

Programme

Wednesday 3^rd December 

09.00 hrs	Arrival & Coffee
09:30 hrs	Welcome & Update from the Board
	Presentation 1: Potato, from field crop to horticultural crop Speaker: Xarain van Os, Area Sales Manager Europe Solynta
10:30 hrs	Presentation 2: Robotics, what’s next? Upcoming developments? Speaker: Bram Verschoor, Chief Commercial Officer TTA-ISO
11:15 hrs	Coffee break
11:45 hrs	Presentation 3: Deliflor Hoogveld: One-of-a-kind cooperation in young plant production Speaker: Peter Zaat, Managing Director Deliflor
12:15 hrs	Lunch at hotel
13:30 hrs	Departure to TTA-ISO
14:00 hrs	Arrival & visit TTA-ISO
15:15 hrs	Departure to Deliflor
15:30 hrs	Arrival & Coffee
16:00 hrs	Visit Deliflor Hoogveld
17:00 hrs	Departure to hotel
18:00 hrs	Arrival & Drinks
19:00 hrs	Dinner

Thursday 4^th December