EVENT: AHT2020
A brief history of Australian Horticultural Trials Week The Australian Horticultural Trials (AHT) has a relatively young history in comparison to the depth of Australia’s horticultural history. Showcasing the best plants and products needed a united effort and in 2001 a group of pioneering industry figures and businesses, conceived Hortivations. They believed there was a missed opportunity by the NGIV to show the broader industry some of the innovations coming out of Victoria, in a format similar the Pack Trials held in the United States. Hortivations, held at Ball Australia’s former site in Keysborough, was originally designed for multiple businesses to present to the wholesale industry the variety of plants and products available. The coming together of multiple businesses at the one site of Ball Australia, to showcase their products, is testament to the strength and unity of the industry. The shared goals of everyone made the event a success for many years. In 2016 the Australian Horticultural Trials were conceived. The continuation of the event in a new format, with each business showcasing products on their own site, was predestined, with a rich web of growers, producing innovative and quality products, needing a solid platform from which to showcase to the industry. Fundamentally, both events were designed to promote and
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GROUNDSWELL DECEMBER 2020
drive the new varieties that have been sourced locally and internationally, but also to educate and attract, the industry from across the country, on the extensive network of breeders, both locally and internationally. The relaxed yet professional environment the AHT participants create each year at their sites is perfect for viewing and learning about the quality plants and products, and doing business, but also for networking with old and new friends from across the country. Everyone is welcome at AHT; from wholesale growers looking for the next product to add to their schedule, to the retailers and the horticultural media searching for the next big thing to hit the shelves, and our landscapes.
