Strawberries on demand
the consumer rules the future
6-8 September 2017
Antwerp-Belgium
Organised by
How should we develop, grow and market strawberries? The consumer is key. The third International Strawberry Congress offers the unique combination of commercial strategy and scientific research and is directed to a broad public active or related to the strawberry culture, national and international. With this congress we aim to create a platform for networking and information exchange based on research, growing and commercialisation of strawberries for the fresh market. The program comprises two days of lectures by speakers, presentations and panel discussions, as well as one day of excursions to Hoogstraten in Belgium and Zundert in The Netherlands.
Guidelines extended abstracts
All oral presenters, must submit an extended abstract (max. 3 pages). These extended abstracts will be used to prepare the book of abstracts, so please do your best to respect the deadline! The extended abstract should be maximum 3 pages in length, including a brief introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion and references. A table and/or figure can be included in the extended abstract.
Poster guidelines
Poster boards will be numbered consecutively and according to session number. The poster identification number can be found in the Book of Abstracts and in the list provided on the congress website. The poster presenter should mount their posters on the corresponding poster board. On arrival, please go directly to the registration desk. You will be provided with the location of your poster board and buddies to attach your poster. Please do not use any other method of attaching your poster.
eJHS (European Journal of Horticultural Science)
Papers and posters will be published in the proceedings and a selection will be invited to submitt a manuscript in a thematic issue of EjHS (European journal of Horticultural Science). The selection will be made after inspection of the received papers.
Abstracts
The submission of abstracts for oral presentations is now closed. Abstracts for poster presentations can still be submitted until 10 August, 2017 to the Congress Secretariat.
Abstract deadline, acceptance and validation
The submission of abstracts for oral presentations is now closed. The Scientific Committee will select oral or poster presentations based on quality and content of the abstract. The authors will be notified of the acceptance by 30 May, 2017.
Papers and posters will be published in the congress proceedings and a selection will be invited to submit a manuscript in a thematic issue of eJHS (European Journal of Horticultural Science).
Topics
Scientific Committee
The scientific program will consist of keynote lectures by invited speakers and research papers by oral and poster presentations. The papers presented at the International Strawberry Congress will be peer-reviewed and published in a thematic issue of EjHS (European journal of Horticultural Science). The final acceptance of papers for oral or poster presentations will be decided by the Scientific Committee.
Please note: this is a provisional program and is subject to change
Download the complete program in pdf-format here
Please note: this is a provisional list of posters and is subject to change
Download the list of posters here
Welcome and opening
Michael Barker - Moderator (editor of FPJ)
Gaston Opdekamp (Managing Director of Coöperatie Hoogstraten)
A glimpse into the future: looking for synergies between science and marketing
Kevin Folta (professor and chairman of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida)
Richard van Hooijdonk
(international keynote speaker, trendwatcher and futurist)
Networking break
Exhibition
Poster sessions
PARALLEL SESSION 1
Research: Strawberry physiology, Breeding and Phenotyping
Keynote speaker: Anita Sonsteby (Norway) - Environmental control of flowering and dormancy in strawberry
Commercialisation: Evolution of the strawberry world market
"Production areas worldwide & trade flows" - Philippe Binard (General Delegate of Freshfel Europe) - Dan Legard (California Strawberry Commission, USA)
"Export of fruit and vegetables in a changing world" - Jonathan Holslag (International politics at the Free University Brussels)
Conclusions by the moderator
Exhibition and poster sessions
Evening reception - BBQ formula
(included)
PARALLEL SESSION 2
Research: IPM, pests and diseases
Keynote speaker: Tena Barreda A. (Spain)
"Current IPM strategies against Drosophila suzukii in Switzerland" Baroffio C. (Switzerland)
"Comparing an integrated pest management with a chemical control strategy in multiple strawberry cultivations" Vervoort M. (Belgium)
Commercialisation: Marketing
Eye-tracking: Wim Hamaekers (Managing Partner at Haystack)
"Have you been nudged today? Unconscious influences on human behaviour": Jan Urlings (Market Research Expert/Founder at Delta Marktonderzoek)
Social media: Carole Lamarque (Founding partner of Duval Union)
Networking break
Exhibition
Poster sessions
PARALLEL SESSION 3
Research: New technologies and innovative developments
Commercialisation: Sustainability, food safety and processing
Food waste: Sebastiaan Kennes (Food Waste Innovation Network)
Processed strawberries: Eda Demir (Product Development Manager at Optifreeze)
Networking lunch
Exhibition
Poster sessions
PARALLEL SESSION 4
Research: Fruit quality and health, Post-Harvest
Keynote speaker: Desjardins Y. (Canada) - Strawberry polyphenols bioavailability and modulation of the gut microbiota consortium
Commercialisation: Retail and consumer preferences,strawberries leading the soft fruit category
Shelf management:
Jelger de Vriend (Co-Founder of Innovative Fresh)
E-commerce: Stéphane Ronse (Founder of Foodbag.be)
Out of home consumption:
Matthew Corrin (Founder of Freshii)
Point of view Retail
Networking break
Exhibition
Poster sessions
Interactive final debate & conclusions
Congress Gala dinner
(optional)
TOUR 1:
Cultivation and research
- Departure to Hoogstraten (Belgium)
TOUR 2:
Breeding and propagation
- Departure to Venlo (The Netherlands)
TOUR 1:
TOUR 2:
at an inspiring location
TOUR 1:
TOUR 2:
We have prioritised central Antwerp hotels with attractive room rates in various price ranges. Staying at one of our official hotels also makes it easier for you to meet up with your colleagues.
Antwerp, home of the Flemish Baroque master Rubens, not only has a wealth of outstanding museums, picturesque galleries, sculpted streets and beautiful architecture, but you will find refreshing greenery and urban haunts as well. To find out more about this wonderful city visit the site www.visitantwerpen.be
Explore historic Belgium from the elegant Hilton Antwerp hotel. Set on Groenplaats, in the heart of the city, the hotel has Antwerp attractions like the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp Zoo and the National Maritime Museum on the doorstep.
Welcome to a modern 36m²/387sq.ft room with wireless internet. The bright and airy room, in cool, calm tones, has opening windows. Get to work at the desk, take time off to watch the 25-inch TV or re-energize in the marble bathroom.
Hilton Antwerp Old Town
The Ibis Antwerpen Centrum hotel is located in the historical, cultural and commercial centre of Antwerp. The hotel offers 150 modern, completely renovated and air-conditioned rooms with Wi-Fi. After a day of shopping or work, head to the bar for some well-deserved relaxation. With its contemporary design, this hotel is the ideal place to stay in Antwerp for work or leisure. The Meir, the main shopping street, and the Rubens museum are just two minutes' walk away.
This hotel lies in the heart of the Diamond Area, right across Antwerp Central Station and the Zoo. It features accommodation with free high-speed WiFi and a Health Club including an indoor pool. A shuttle bus to and from Brussels Airport stops right in front of the hotel.
The Radisson BLU Astrid Antwerp offers tasteful guestrooms. They come equipped with flat-screen TVs with cable and pay-TV channels.
Radisson Blu Astrid
With its central location in the historic centre of Antwerp, the Theatre Hotel is situated in a quiet environment in the immediate vicinity of the beautiful Bourla theatre and the greatest attraction being the world-famous Rubens house, in between a variety of designer shops, cafés and bistros.
The 127 elegant and spacious rooms all have mini-bar, colour television, pay TV, trouser press, coffee & tea making facilities and digital safe. You also have access to wireless internet-wifi.
The hotel is ideally located within 10min. of the historical city centre, 2min. from the Flemish Opera and 5min. from the famous Meir and the shopping area. You are also close to the magnificent Central Station with a Thalys connection and the Antwerp Zoo. The hotel offers a luxurious breakfast buffet, a cosy bar with Grands Vins Mercure, 24/7 room service, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Our spacious non-smoking rooms have a safe, free mini bar, flat screen TV and coffee/tea making facilities.
The Antwerp Cathedral is a masterpiece of lace work in stone. Begun in 1352, it is one of the finest gothic buildings in Europe. The 123m (405ft) tall spire reigns over the city. Despite all plundering during the iconoclasm, major art treasuries have survived. The most notable are three large paintings by Rubens.
More information: www.dekathedraal.be/en
The Zoo of Antwerp is one of the most beautiful City Zoos in Europe. The beautiful, distinctive buildings and garden have been classified. Its location - originally just outside the city walls, now an oasis of peace in the heart of the city, next door to Central Station - is typical of its nineteenth-century origins and is the home to more than 950 species and 5.000 animals.
More information: http://www.visitantwerpen.be/
This is the centre of the old section of Antwerp, and was the hub of activity for more than a thousand years. The Town Hall is the focus of the square, a fountain with the statue of Silvius Brabo dominates the opposite end. The Grote Markt is beautifully surrounded by the Town Hall and the so-called houses of the Guilds or corporations. Nowadays the Grote Markt is one of the most pleasant squares in the city.
More information: http://www.visitantwerpen.be/
Antwerp was the hometown of Peter Paul Rubens. The Rubens' House that provided a home and studio to the artist, is unique and is now a museum. Dozens of paintings and artworks by Rubens and his contemporaries are installed in the rooms, as well as period furniture.
More information: www.rubenshuis.be/en
Shopping in Antwerp: it's an experience on itself. Antwerp contains a rich and diverse range of stores. Better still, the shopping areas are located in the cultural and historic sections of Antwerp. Shopping in Antwerp means strolling around in the many pedestrian streets, past historic houses and pleasant shopping centres.
More information: http://www.visitantwerpen.be/
Fascinating, brilliant and surrounded with centuries of mysticism: that is the world of diamonds. The museum offers visitors a multimedia experience, features magical pieces in its collection and shows the technology used today to produce the world's most coveted valuable. As the diamond city a museum about diamonds in Antwerp is indispensable.
More information: http://www.visitantwerpen.be/
As a fashion city Antwerp owes its reputation to the pioneers of the fashion movement, the so-called 'Antwerp Six'. Together they conquered the fashion world with their very distinct vision of fashion. The Fashion Museum opened its doors in September 2002. The MoMu collection features a very diverse collection of clothing, lace, embroidery, fabrics and tools for artisan textile processing.
More information: http://www.momu.be/en.html
You can walk along the Scheldt via the raised walking terraces by the Steen, but also under the shed. Breathe in the atmosphere of the 19th Century port. Not many ships are loaded or unloaded here these days. But curious vessels moor here, such as cruise ships, sailing boats or war vessels.
More information: http://www.visitantwerpen.be/
How to become a sponsor?
Raise your profile at the second International Strawberry Congress and showcase your brand to the decision makers in the international strawberry business. As a Gold, Silver or Bronze sponsor, your brand is guaranteed high profile publicity online and in-print before, during and after the event. Contact the Congress Secretariat for more information
SPONSORS GOLD
SPONSORS SILVER
SPONSORS BRONZE
How to become an exhibitor?
The International Strawberry Congress is an ideal opportunity to present your products and services to an interested and well-informed group of participants. Limited space is available to exhibit and to give your brand high visibility to top business leaders in today's international market. How to become an exhibitor? Contact the Congress Secretariat for more information.
Meet the market
The International Strawberry Congress is an ideal opportunity to meet top business leaders in the international market today. They will share their insights and opinions with you during this three-day Congress. Activities in the charming centre of Antwerp will provide pleasant variation.
In the heart of the city of Antwerp
The Congress will be held from 6 to 8 September 2017 at the Flanders Meeting & Convention Center in Antwerp, close to the cradle of Hoogstraten strawberries.
The venue is conveniently located in the heart of the city of Antwerp, just a ten minute walk from the historic city centre. Its location next to Antwerp Central Station guarantees easy accessibility by public transport (train, tram, and bus stops within walking distance). A good number of car parks are also available in the vicinity.
Flanders Meeting & Convention Center Antwerp
Koningin Astridplein 20-26
2018 Antwerp - Belgium
More information on FMCCA
What is Hoogstraten?
No one can resist the taste and quality of Hoogstraten strawberries. This is what lends our strawberries their unique prestige reputation - not only in Belgium but across the globe. Hoogstraten strawberries are increasingly finding their way onto foreign markets. Since 1990 the production of the Kempen area, East Flanders and part of Northern Brabant (The Netherlands) has been united under the Hoogstraten label. Strawberries are the main quality product for Coöperatie Hoogstraten. They account for about half of the sales: more than 30 million kg of strawberries are traded each year. They are all GlobalGap certified and grown according to the Hoogstraten quality label.
Hoogstraten strawberries provide a living to more than 200 family businesses. They use all the knowledge and energy they have to carefully pick, cautiously select and perfectly present their produce. Only produce that comply with the strictest growing and delivery regulations are eligible for the Hoogstraten quality label. With regard to research & development we work closely with Research Centre Hoogstraten (PCH), which conducts hands-on scientific research into strawberries, tomatoes and peppers. The centre also offers advice and training to growers.
More information on www.hoogstraten.eu
Organising Committee
Research & Sustainable Production Leading to Successful Marketing
Hoogstraten was the host of the first International Strawberry Congress on 1,2 & 3 September 2010 under the title Research & Sustainable Production Leading to Successful Marketing.
The Hilton Hotel in the historic centre of Antwerp was the main venue. The congress focused on the development, production and marketing of strawberries with sustainability as central theme.
Growing strawberries in the next decade: Innovation, the key to success?
In 2013, Veiling Hoogstraten organised the second International Strawberry Congress. This event took place in Antwerp from 4 to 6 September 2013. The programme included a varied mix of speakers talking about scientific and trade directed subjects. The general focus of the congress was innovation.
Almost 300 participants from 24 countries were participating in the three day congress. Besides two congress days, the programme contained an excursion day on Friday. With commercial and growing technical sessions there is something for everyone from the strawberry world. The speakers were very international. They came from countries such as Australia, Switzerland, America, China and Japan.
Managing Director of Coöperatie Hoogstraten
Gaston Opdekamp is Managing Director of Coöperatie Hoogstraten, a major player in the fresh produce world. Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv is a large player on the European fruit and vegetable market with a product turnover of 222 million Euro in 2016. The main products are strawberries, tomatoes, peppers and specials. Coöperatie Hoogstraten cv offers healthy, safe and sustainably produced food. Hoogstraten strives for growth of the horticultural sector in a healthy, profitable business climate. Gaston Opdekamp started his career at Coöperatie Hoogstraten in 1984, after which he became Managing Director in 2003.
Editor of the Fresh Produce Journal
Michael Barker has been editor of the Fresh Produce Journal since 2010. Published since 1895, FPJ is the leading fortnightly fruit and vegetable publication in the UK, providing industry news, features, comment and analysis in print and online. Before joining FPJ, Michael was fresh foods editor at prominent weekly magazine The Grocer, and has also held senior positions at the Grower and Commercial Grower. Michael is also a published novelist. His first book, science fiction comedy The Improbable Tale of How I Saved the Universe, was a quarter-finalist in the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards.
Chief Commercial Officer of KMDA
Belgian Born ANJA STAS has travelled the world, lived and worked in countries from Corporate America (Coca-Cola) to Europe (J&J animal Health). With a Law Degree and Marketing MBA, she carved out a career as an award winning, innovative marketer and transformation agent. Driven by a passion for the possible, she pioneered amidst scientists to establish strategic value-added marketing, putting the customer centre stage and merging science & experience into a new craft.
She created a legendary campaign that turned the country in a frenzy around the birth of an elephant which was livestreamed from Antwerp Zoo to 2 M viewers in 2009- at the beginning of digital media, way ahead of the curve. With her signature style and no nonsense approach, she inspires and instructs into a better way, closer to what matters. She believes that nature nurtures and as her beloved ZOO opened a new Convention Centre, she named it : Room with a Zoo, a promise to close encounters of our own kind. Anja is an accomplished public speaker, published author and storyteller.
Professor and Chairman at the University of Florida
Kevin M. Folta is a Professor and the Chairman of the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida. His research examines how light signals are sensed in plants and how the spectrum affects high-value fruit and vegetable traits. His group uses novel genomics approaches to identify flavor and disease resistance genes in small fruits. Kevin also trains scientists in how to engage a concerned public about science and agricultural innovations. In 2016 he was recognized with the prestigious CAST Borlaug Award in Agricultural Communications. Ph.D. 1998 University of Illinois at Chicago.
International keynote speaker, trendwatcher and futurist
Trendwatcher of the year 2015 Richard van Hooijdonk looks to the future. Thanks to new techniques and the possibility to combine any number of options, we are sitting on the forefront of great changes. Changes that will take place in the fields of economy, work, society, technology, media, marketing, entrepreneurship and science. “Singularity” ensures that all our problems will melt away. Not to mention 4D printing, Internet of Things, Sensors, Big Data, Smart Algorithms and cognitive computer chips that think like we think, foresee what we need. How many years until everyone has their own robot or drone? “Newism” is the frantic beating heart of the online world; hyper-competition, globalization and super consumerism. Can you handle it? Because it’s coming! Major trends are coming your way. After this session, you will be ready for 2030! Besides Trends 2030, Richard specializes in keynotes about the Company of the Future, Future of Construction, Future of Healthcare, Future of Retail, Future of Finance and many more sectors that will change radically within the next 10 years. Check out https://www.richardvanhooijdonk.com/en/ for more details.
Research professor at NIBIO
Anita Sønsteby is a Research professor at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Department of Horticulture. Her main research focus is environmental effects on growth and development of plants. Flowering and dormancy relations have been focal areas over the recent 10 years, and she has headed numerous projects and activities related to this research area, and are author of 60 papers in SCI journals. Dr. Sønsteby is a leading expert on the influence of climatic factors on growth and development of a variety of crops, and flowering and yield in strawberry, raspberry and currants.
General Delegate of Freshfel Europe
Philippe Binard (Belgian nationality, born in 1961) is currently the General Delegate of FRESHFEL EUROPE, the European Fresh Produce Association (www.freshfel.org). This association is the European fresh fruit and vegetables representative body incorporating more than 200 members (associations and companies) from the fresh produce sector. Besides his responsibilities within FRESHFEL EUROPE, Philippe BINARD is also in charge of other trade associations, namely WAPA (World Apple and Pear Association – www.wapa-association.org) and SHAFFE (Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters – www.shaffe.net). He was also the General Delegate of ECBTA (1993-2011) and Secretary General of ECSLA (European Cold Storage and Logistics Association – www.ecsla.be) from 1989 to 2002.
Vice President of Research and Education at the California Strawberry Commission
Dr. Dan Legard is the Vice President of Research and Education at the California Strawberry Commission where he is focused on strawberry industry production research and the education needs of strawberry growers. He has worked at the commission since 2002. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in plant pathology. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Cornell University.
Prior to assuming his role at the commission, Dr. Legard led the strawberry pathology research program at the University of Florida as associate professor of plant pathology. In that position, he gained expertise in epidemiology of strawberry diseases, biology and population genetics of fungal pathogens of strawberries, and integrated management of strawberry diseases through the use of chemical, biological and cultural control methods.
International politics at the Free University Brussels - Belgium
Jonathan Holslag is professor of international policy. He teaches at the Free University Brussels as well as at several defence academies and universities elsewhere. He has published widely on geopolitics and has frequently political and corporate leaders in many different countries.
Parallel sessions Research
The scientific program will consist of keynote lectures by invited speakers (Anita Sonsteby, Alejandro Tena Barreda Yves Desjardins) and research papers by oral presentations.
Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA)
Alejandro Tena is an expert on Biological Control and Integrate Pest Management. He obtained his PhD at Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain), working on biological control of two important citrus pest. During his PhD, he visited the University of California, Riverside, where he worked on the behavioural ecology of parasitoids and how to use them in biological control.
Later he moved to the Valencian Research Institute of Agronomy, IVIA, where he developed an Integrated Pest Management program that can be visited online and it consulted by 15.000 visitors monthly. At the scientific level, Dr. Tena has collaborated with different international Universities and Research Centers. Fruit of these collaborations, he has published more than forty manuscripts related to Integrated Pest Management including an Annual Review of Entomology. During his career, he has also collaborated with different private companies to develop new products to improve pest management.
Recently he has obtained two national and one European projects to work on the management of two new invasive pests in Europe.
Market Research Expert/Founder at Delta Marktonderzoek - The Netherlands
Jan Urlings Jan is market research expert with more than 25 years’ experience. After having worked for three international agencies – SKIM, Research International, MetrixLab – Jan started his own agency in 2013: Delta Marktonderzoek. By connecting the dots between the business context, research findings and behavioural economics, Delta offers actionable insights and practical business recommendations. Jan is passionate about what drives human behaviour, and finding ways to influence it. He is especially interested in the functioning of the human brain in relation to products, services and brands. Jan published various blogs about this topic, e.g. about the wonders of nudging.
Founding Partner of Duval Union
After a long career at Proximus, Sanoma and Telenet, Carole Lamarque is today Founding Partner at Duval Union. She is innovative marketing expert wrote the book entitled "Influencers”.
Food Waste Innovation Network
Product Development Manager at OptiFreeze
Eda Demir is the Product Development Manager at OptiFreeze since 2014 and an industrial PhD student at Food Technology, Engineering and Nutrition department at Lund University. She is been taking a great part of commercializing the research from university from basic research to marketing level last five years. She will describe the unique technology and the method of OptiFreeze. OptiFreeze technoloy makes it possible to freeze and preserve fresh-like structure, texture and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables, extends the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables and reduces the drying time or herbs while decreases the loss of aromatic compounds.
Max Welter works as a Food Packaging Specialist at Smurfit Kappa Germany.
Smurfit Kappa is a leading corrugated packaging company in Europe and a leading paper- based packaging company in the world. Having worked for 16 years within the industry, Max has gathered a significant amount of experience by managing multiple sales positions. During the last five years, he has successfully developed as a food packaging specialist for both primary and secondary paper-based packaging.
Co-Founder of Innovative Fresh
Jelger de Vriend is a retail expert and co-founder of Innovative Fresh. Jelger’s experience ranges from the banana farms of Latin America to the European retail shelves. He worked for Chiquita, Ahold and Total Produce. His passion: lifting the fresh experience in retail.
Founder of Foodbag
Stéphane Ronse founded Foodbag.be in 2015. Foodbag.be is a meal delivery service with a strong focus on local sourcing and recognizable flavors. Before being entrepreneur Stéphane was manager of an entrepreneurship centre in Kortrijk Belgium.
Founder of Freshii
Matthew Corrin is well on his way to building a billion dollar business. At 23 years old, Matthew set out to create a restaurant brand that would help people all over the world live healthier and longer lives with fast food that is convenient and affordable. Enter Freshii: a brand which is now growing at a faster pace than Starbucks. Today, Freshii has over 240 locations in countries around the world.
Parallel sessions Research
The scientific programme will consist of keynote lectures by invited speakers (Anita Sonsteby, Alejandro Tena Barreda Yves Desjardins) and research papers by oral presentations (speakers will be announced in the Journal of Berry Research).
