Hort Connect

Co-hosted by AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA ANZ), Hort Connections is the biggest horticulture event in the southern hemisphere, with the trade show already 90 percent sold out.

Former Olympic swimmer Giaan Rooney will return as Hort Connections MC in 2026, with the event to feature a line-up of world-class speakers and presenters, including:

• Kim McDonnell – The Founder and CEO of Saveful, which is helping families and the way they approach food use.
• Chefs Simon Toohey, Laura Sharrad, Michael Weldon, Sarah Pound, and Callum Hann – All five will be appearing in the Activation Lounge, talking about, and demonstrating how they use their ingredients sustainability to create magnificent dishes using fresh Australian fruit and veggies.

There are more speaker announcements to come in the weeks ahead, and you can learn more here.

Hort Connections 2026 will also feature a new structure and program aimed at enhancing delegate and exhibitor experiences. Day one will be dedicated to tours of local farming and processing operations, while day two will play host to all of the plenary speaker sessions, followed by the opening of the trade show, and a welcome event at the Adelaide Oval. Days three and four will see two full days dedicated to the trade show, including speaker sessions and activations, with the Gala Dinner and Horticulture Awards for Excellence to be held on Thursday night.