This international conference, organized by Europoint b.v. in co-operation with the Amsterdam RAI will take place at the Congress centre of Amsterdam RAI on 5 - 6 November 2003, concurrently with the international Horti Fair in Amsterdam. The conference will give an overview of the latest developments in greenhouse technologies, exchange knowledge concerning the interactions between the links in the production chain, to provide new insight in scientific, technical, economical, environmental and marketing developments in horticulture and floriculture, to exchange views with authorities on regulatory measures.

Greenhouse technologies in different climate zones; energy, monitoring physiological processes, plant physiology, integrated process control, salinity problems, water supply and IPM.. Target groups: technicians, scientists, breeders, experts on cultivation methods, traders and growers. Presentations will be given by some of the following companies/institutes. For the latest news on the presentation program, contact the organizers:

• Foundation for Innovation in Horticulture NL, WUR IMAG NL, Ecofys NL, Hoogendoorn Automation NL, TNO Applied Plant Sciences NL, Codema Systems Group NL, Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate EG, University of Pisa IT, Ciba Speciality Chemicals CH, Koppert b.v. NL

Aspects of marketing and chain optimisation followed by some case studies and a forum discussion. Marketing strategies, branding, chain optimisation, innovative supply chain and logistic services. Target groups: managers of fresh vegetables, fruits and flowers of retail chains, marketing managers of fresh vegetable packers and processing industry, the international trade, marketing managers of grower groups, marketing managers of the seed and young plant industry, advisors and consultants on marketing and communication. The sessions are subdivided in three topics: 

Introductory lecture on "Branding". Discussion of international developments in the retail trade in different parts of the world, especially relating to branding and marketing strategies. What do retailers want from the wholesale trade, the producer and the producer of the seed/planting material in the context of retail marketing stretegies? Presentations will be given by some of the following organizations:

• Dutch Produce Association NL, The Marketing Department NZ, Bridge Street Associates Ltd. UK, Association of Dutch Flower Auctions NL, Association of wholesalers in floricultural products NL, Intergeen NL, Secretaria da Agricultura e Pacuaria – SEAGRI B

Lectures will focus at the interaction between the various links in the chain: Retail<>Trade; Trade<>Producer; Producer<>Seed Company and Plant Raiser, examining various forms of service between the links. Presentations will be given some of the following organizations: 

• Wageningen University NL, Vers Direct Nederland NL, Wight Salads UK, HIDC: Matchmaker for logistics parnterships in Europe NL, Metz Group NL, Florpartners NL

Presentation of a number of innovative cases of marketing. How ideas and plans are realised and targets are reached. Discussion. Presentations will be given by some of the following organizations:

• Ficus Forever NL, Royal van Zanten (Princess Lilies®) NL, Decorum Plants NL