The magnificent city of Ghent, Belgium, welcomes the global horticultural community for what promises to be an extraordinary gathering of minds, innovation, and inspiration. From September 14 to 18, 2025, the 77th Annual Congress of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) will convene in this historic Flemish city, making it the epicenter of the very best in horticultural ideas and bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and horticultural creative thinkers from around the world.
This year’s agenda focuses on sustainability, technological innovation, and the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in horticulture. Delegates will, therefore, hear from global experts in horticultural sustainability and technology, receive updates from upcoming AIPH-approved Expos, and experience Belgium’s dynamic floriculture industry first-hand.
A Five-Day Festival of Horticultural Innovation and Connection
The Congress runs over five days, each carefully planned to build on the previous and create an all-inclusive experience. The event begins on Sunday evening with a welcoming dinner, offering attendees a relaxed atmosphere to meet, network, and create new friendships. Monday features the International Horticultural Expo Conference alongside the formal AIPH General Meeting. This session provides a unique opportunity for organizers of upcoming horticultural expos—from Green Expo 2027 in Yokohama to Expo 2029 in Korat—to share updates, exchange ideas, and invite collaboration.
Tuesday is the heart of the Congress, hosting the International Horticultural Industry Conference. The morning sessions focus on sustainability, addressing critical issues like peat-free growing media, chemical reduction, water management, and the economics of certification. These discussions are framed by the growing challenge of meeting Europe’s stringent environmental standards. In the afternoon, the spotlight shifts to technology, showcasing how innovations like AI, sensor networks, and robotics are transforming cultivation and logistics, helping growers optimize resource use while improving crop quality.
The midweek days, Wednesday and Thursday, take delegates outside the conference rooms with professional and local tours. These excursions provide hands-on insights into Belgium’s thriving horticultural sector, including visits to nurseries, research centers, and heritage sites. These tours are designed to connect theory with practice, allowing participants to experience firsthand the innovations and traditions that make Belgium a leader in ornamental horticulture.
A Distinguished Assembly of Thought Leaders and Influential Voices Shaping the Industry
AIPH has curated an impressive lineup of speakers whose expertise spans policy, market trends, sustainability, and technology. Independent consultant Daan de Vries, who has been the CEO of MPS, will open the Congress with a keynote exploring the shift from voluntary certification schemes to binding European legislation, setting the tone for the event’s focus on sustainability and compliance. He will be joined by Sylvie Mamias, Secretary General of Union Fleurs, Cecilia Luetgebrune from Growing Media Europe, and Stefanie Miltenburg of Royal FloraHolland, who will bring perspectives on market realities and regulatory frameworks.
The CEO of AIPH Affiliate Member Dutch Greenhouse Delta, Mirjam Boekestijn, digital transformation expert Ingrid Creten, sustainability strategist Julia Ostrowski, Senior Sustainability Manager of HORTICERT, Julia Ostrowski, automation innovator Joep Hendricks, and Jennifer Pheasey, the Director of Public Affairs at Horticultural Trades Association, will also present cutting-edge solutions that marry efficiency with environmental responsibility.
The Congress also features voices from other key global markets. Tim Briercliffe, the Secretary General of AIPH, will hold panel discussions with Jeroen Oudheusden, the Executive Officer for the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI), alongside Clement Tulezi, Chief Executive of the Kenya Flower Council, who will provide insights from one of the world’s most important flower-exporting countries, as well as Juan Carlos Isaza, GLOBAL G.A.P.’s senior technical expert for floriculture, and Yvonne Watzdorf, Managing Director of Plants & Flowers Foundation Holland (formerly Flower Council Holland).
These interactive sessions aim to move beyond theory, encouraging participants to convert good intentions into measurable actions that advance sustainability and social responsibility across the horticultural supply chain.
Horticultural Sustainability and Technology Fully Explored
Tuesday morning’s sessions are dedicated to ‘Sustainability in Ornamental Horticulture,’ a theme that resonates deeply across the industry. Speakers will, as noted, discuss alternatives to peat-based substrates, strategies to reduce chemical inputs, and innovative water management techniques. The economics of certification programs such as GLOBALG.A.P. and the GGN Label will be examined, highlighting how these transparency schemes help growers make evident their environmental credentials to increasingly discerning consumers.
Attendees will gain practical knowledge and actionable roadmaps to reduce carbon footprints and meet evolving regulatory demands without sacrificing the quality and beauty of their products. This focus on sustainability reflects the industry’s need to balance economic viability with ecological management.
Equally exciting is the emphasis on technological innovation and AI in ornamental horticulture. As the industry grapples with challenges ranging from labor shortages to climate change, technology offers opportunities to enhance efficiency, improve crop management, and revolutionize traditional growing practices. So, in the afternoon, the Congress shifts gears to explore how tech is transforming ornamental horticulture.
Presentations will showcase the latest advances in AI, which is now used to optimize greenhouse climates, forecast demand, and guide robotic systems that handle plants with delicate precision. Sensor networks that monitor humidity, temperature, and nutrient flow in real-time will be demonstrated as well, illustrating how data-driven cultivation leads to healthier crops and more efficient resource use.
The Congress’s midweek tours are designed to enhance understanding through direct experience. One tour will visit innovative enterprises employing circular production methods and energy-efficient technologies, followed by an evening stroll through the historic canals of Bruges, mixing business with culture. Another will explore young-plant propagation centers where closed-loop energy systems and rainwater harvesting support sustainable breeding programs. These excursions allow delegates to appreciate the results of the ideas discussed during the Congress.
Networking in the Heart of Ghent, the Perfect Host City
Ghent's selection as the host city for this important event is no coincidence. The city rightfully earns the title of the epicenter of Belgian horticulture, with its rich history of floral merit spanning many years. The horticultural hub of Ghent includes roughly 2,200 floriculturists out of the 4,040 professional ornamental plant growers operating in Belgium, making it one of the leading horticultural centers in the European Union.
The city's legendary flower market on Kouter Square, which dates back to 1772, has become the ultimate meeting place for locals and visitors. This lively marketplace perfectly captures the spirit of a city where horticulture is a way of life, not just an industry. Also, Ghent’s compact and charming historic center offers the perfect backdrop for informal networking, hence the Congress schedule intentionally includes generous free time, recognizing that spontaneous conversations during visits across the city could spark the most productive collaborations.
Early Bird Registration Discount Available Until 15th July
With excitement building, the organizers are offering a valuable incentive for early registrants. Those who register before midnight on 15 July 2025 will benefit from the early-bird fee of €990 for the full Congress, a saving of over €300 compared to the standard rate. This early registration also guarantees access to preferred accommodations at the four-star NH Collection Gent hotel, conveniently located within walking distance of the Congress venue. Acting promptly, therefore, ensures not only cost savings but also the comfort and convenience that enhance the overall Congress experience.
Delegates can also choose flexible registration options, including individual conference sessions, with the Expo Conference priced at €350 and the Industry Conference at €300. Professional tours are available for €300 each, allowing participants to customize their experience based on their specific interests and schedule. That said, this Congress offers a unique platform from which delegates will return home armed with actionable research, new partnerships, and renewed determination to grow horticulture responsibly.
Unless otherwise indicated, all photos by @aiphglobal
