The XI Annual AMHPAC Conference A Big Success

The eleventh annual AMHPAC Congress commenced August 22-24, 2018 at the Iberostar Hotel, Cancun Quintano Roo Mexico. The conference was quite the buzz with four hundred registered attendees, representing six countries, buyers from around the United States and Canada, fifty-one exhibitor booths and sixty-five conference sponsors contributing to the success of the XI Annual AMHPAC Conference. 

The conference commenced Wednesday, August 22nd with the Association’s Board Meeting, then welcomes the attendees, speakers, sponsors and participants typical Cancun style, with the Welcome Cocktail on the scenic Caribbean beach of Cancun with the refreshing sounds of the waves, ocean breeze and music in the background. 

The Agenda Snapshot:

Thursday, August 23rd:

• 5K Race and Flag Race – 100 runners
• Aeroponics:

An alternative for producing protected crops in Mexico.

Prometeo Sanchez Garcia,  Professor/Researcher of the Postgraduate College in Agriculatural Sciences

• Generational Significance:

The transition of the family businesses. Securing the future for the next generation.

Anders Ludvigson, Manager/President of Svensson

• Renewing Synergies:

Raul Alberto Sanchez Velasco, International Consultant

• Trends and Data Management:

Trends and importance of data management for a greenhouse operation.

Wil Lammers, President of Hortimax America

Friday, August 24th:

• Logistics and Opportunities for New Markets.

Panel Discussion:

Fried de Schouwer, CEO of GPC and Grower

Jaime Melendez, Senior International Trade Consultant

Alfredo Diaz Belmontes, General Manager AMHPAC

• Natural vs. Organic:

How the consumers are driving the market.

Francisco Medina, Alltech Crop Science

• Sustainable Urban Delta:

Where is agriculture going in the future.

Meiny Prins, CEO of Priva International

• Historical Analysis of Mexico.

Francisco Martin Moreno, Speakers Mexico

Alfredo Diaz Belmontes, General Manager of AMHPAC affirms “this year’s take away for AMHPAC members is that the association’s focus is on new trade markets, acquiring new international buyers, reports and statistics to help and guide producers to make diversified decisions.”

Conference sponsors benefit from the conference equally.  For example, the expansion of new markets for producers will require the industry to procure additional products and services that are offered by this year’s sponsors. 

 “Our association’s initiatives of diversification, develop/distribute statistical market information and assist in offering means to financial opportunities are just a few of the objectives.  These objectives will strengthen and equip our membership with access to information that will enable them to build strong partnerships with international buyers and new markets,” adds Diaz. 

Oscar Woltman, President of AMHPAC and  General Manager of Fresh Mex reports that “short-term goals are focused on building solid alliances.  Alliances with other Mexican horticultural associations and alliances with technology universities.  First with Mexican associations, such as Ana Berries, by combining organizations, we will be able to exhibit strength and positioning within the market, as well as increase our position with government agencies.   Stronger alliances with technology focused universities will provide us with the access to apply the most advanced agricultural technologies, efficiencies, increased productivity while reducing labor dependency.  This will offer farmers with the latest robotics, water consumption efficiencies, as well as make our fruit and vegetable producers and process the most attractive to buyers around the world,” Woltman adds.

“As an industry association, we understand the importance of social responsibility.  Our social responsibility energies are concentrated at farm level, for example there are programs of education, health, vitamins, providing low cost vision and glasses for families.  We are people and community focused,” adds Diaz.

Woltman and Diaz conclude the conference thanking all participants for their attendance and support of AMHPAC.

Source: AMHPAC