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Rescheduled GreenTech Americas tackles global issues from a regional perspective

Originally set for March, the horticultural tradeshow in Querétaro, Mexico has been rescheduled for August 25 to 27 due to mounting travel restrictions across the globe.

The event’s director of horticulture, Mariska Dreschler, says that when over 120 exhibitors were informed of the change in dates, no one dropped out and the response was overwhelmingly positive and supportive. “It’s really heartwarming and it gives us a lot of confidence.” Organizers RAI Amsterdam and Tarsus are expecting around 1,500 visitors, with approximately 85 per cent of them from Mexico.

A spin-off of the tradeshow in Amsterdam, GreenTech Americas also focuses on greenhouse crop optimization and business, but the event sets itself apart by incorporating a local twist.

“In Amsterdam, we attract visitors from over 115 countries. It’s really a global meeting place,” Dreschler says. Catering to their audience which draws locals and international visitors alike, the programming at GreenTech Amsterdam has more of a Northern European flavour and addresses issues on a global scale. “But if you look at Mexico, there are specific climates, specific crops, specific ways of growing crops,” she points out.

Their speaker’s program reflects the regional focus of the show, tailoring the content to a rapidly evolving greenhouse sector. Presentations on crop optimization highlight new technology while adapting existing knowledge to local growing conditions. Topics include managing big data, artificial intelligence, available biocontrols, biosecurity, climate and light management, vertical farming and bringing over the Dutch concept of next generation growing. In the business stream, speakers will tackle a number of contentious issues, including the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA), berry production, moving towards sustainability and a circular economy, and opportunities for cannabis.

Another draw for GreenTech Amsterdam has been the Innovation Awards, a program that recognizes innovative new technology or products introduced by horticultural suppliers. While the awards are handed out in Amsterdam, organizers aren’t letting a mere ocean get in the way of innovation. “We looked at the Innovation award winners from last year [in Amsterdam], and we looked at which items we should put on stage for GreenTech Americas,” says Dreschler. Selected winners will be introducing their award-winning technologies to Latin American operations.

For GreenTech Americas, organizers have put together a start-up challenge in cooperation with the Dutch Embassy, the Netherlands Business Support Office and KLM. Out of a large group of entries, three start-up businesses were selected: Gearbox Innovations, As Nature Does (AND) Biopharma BV, and Evja. According to GreenTech, “this challenge gives young and innovative companies from the Netherlands a chance to get in touch with the Latin American market.”

For growers headed to Amsterdam, the original GreenTech tradeshow has also been rescheduled to run from October 20 to 22, 2020. Topics to be covered this year include medicinal cannabis, automation, precision horticulture, organic and vertical farming, climate control, water and energy solutions and more. As in previous years, the first day will feature an evening networking reception for women in horticulture. The HortiTalent program will return on the last day of the show, inspiring future generations to enter the green industry.

To register, visit greentech.nl.

Mariska Dreschler says GreenTech Americas will look at global issues from a local perspective.