Hort Connections 2026 is said to be shaping up as a crucial gathering of the entire horticulture industry and supply chain.

Promoted as the biggest horticulture event in the southern hemisphere, Hort Connections 2026 is co-hosted by AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA ANZ), taking place at the Adelaide Convention Centre from 1-4 June.

Recent exciting additions to this year’s line-up of speakers and demonstrations include:

• Sam Beaton, joint CEO of Cobram Estate Olives, who will speak on the brand’s expansion into the US.
• The introduction of the Demonstration Lounge, a dedicated space on the trade show floor where visitors can see live product demos, technology in action and real-time solutions from across the horticulture supply chain.
• Kim McDonnell, founder and CEO of the award-winning tech start-up Saveful, who will be speaking about how her work is helping families make mealtimes simpler, more sustainable and more cost-effective through smarter food choices.
• Renowned chefs Simon Toohey, Laura Sharrad, Michael Weldon, Sarah Pound and Callum Hann, who will take to the Cooking Activation. They’ll share insights and live demonstrations, showcasing how they champion sustainability while creating “exceptional” dishes using fresh Australian fruit and vegetables.

The event will also feature what is priming as a sold out Hort Connections Breakfast on the Wednesday morning.

Further to this, event organisers say this year’s Hort Connections will introduce a refreshed event format.

The first day will feature tours of local farming and processing operations, followed by plenary speaker sessions on day two, alongside the official opening of the trade show and a welcome event at Adelaide Oval.

The trade show will run across days three and four, complemented by a program of speaker sessions and activations.

The event will conclude on Thursday evening with the Gala Dinner and Horticulture Awards for Excellence.