US horticulture industry veteran, Blair Richardson, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker of the 2015 National Horticulture Convention, Trade Show, and Awards for Excellence.
The 2015 convention, which now includes AusVeg and Apple and Pear Australia, will be held at Jupiters Gold Coast from June 25 to 27, with more than 1400 expected to attend.
Richardson, who is also the president and CEO of the US Potato Board, will deliver the keynote address on June 26.
Lauren Winterbottom, spokesperson of AusVeg, said Richardson is regarded as one of the most prominent figures in North American horticulture, and will provide an exciting perspective on international horticulture for delegates.
“The announcement of Mr Richardson as keynote speaker will undoubtedly excite Australian growers of all crops, who will have the chance to hear from a pre-eminent international authority in their field, with experience across a range of horticultural commodities,” Winterbottom said.
“Mr Richardson has deep roots in American horticulture, with his family lineage in farming extending as far back as the mid-1800s, when Texas was still a part of Mexico. This in itself is a novel and foreign concept to most of our local growers, who we anticipate will revel in his address,” said Winterbottom.
Prior to his appointment as president and CEO of the US Potato Board in August 2013, Richardson was the CEO of WesPak, a private farming/packing/sales company in California’s San Joaquin Valley, specialising in premium fresh tree fruit, table grapes, and citrus.
“Throughout his career, Mr Richardson has shown a keen business sense, backed up with a thorough and varied understanding across a wide variety of fresh produce commodities, which has resulted in a long and successful career, with many more anticipated highlights yet to come,” said Winterbottom.
“We are delighted to confirm him as keynote speaker at the 2015 National Horticulture Convention.”
More information on the event can be found at www.ausveg.com.au/convention.
