The Canadian Greenhouse Conference recently took place in Niagara Falls, bringing together over two hundred exhibitors and industry experts from the greenhouse horticulture sector. This annual event, known for its extensive speaker program, bus tour, and networking opportunities, remains a vital gathering in the North American greenhouse market.
The conference discussions closely mirrored the global discourse within the greenhouse horticulture industry, with prominent issues such as high energy costs, labor shortages, and escalating input expenses dominating conversations. Despite numerous ambitious projects on the horizon, many growers are currently prioritizing internal initiatives and cost-cutting measures over expansive expansion strategies.
Notably, a substantial portion of both exhibitors and attendees had Dutch origins or strong Dutch connections, leading to several conversations conducted in Dutch during the event.
Beyond these core themes, the conference buzzed with discussions on various other hot topics. These included the development of resistant plant varieties, advancements in autonomous growing technologies, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), the growing significance of LED lighting, and the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining horticultural talent. Stay tuned as we delve into these topics in more detail in upcoming articles, but first, let’s take a look at some snapshots from the event.