The 78th AIPH Annual Congress 2026 takes place from September 13 to 17, 2026, in Bari, Italy, bringing together horticultural professionals from across the world for five days of conferences, professional visits, and international networking.
Organized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), hosted by Italian member Associazione Nazionale Vivaisti Esportatori (ANVE), and supported by headline sponsor Biblo, this is one of the biggest gatherings the ornamental horticulture industry has set for this year.
About the AIPH Annual Congress
To begin with, the AIPH Annual Congress is the premier event of the International Association of Horticultural Producers, a global institution uniting horticultural producers and their national associations since 1948. In addition to representing the industry at an international level, AIPH is also the global approving body for international horticultural exhibitions, working with host cities around the world to plan and sanction large-scale horticultural expos. The Annual Congress is where much of that community comes together.
Each year, the Congress moves to a different part of the world, giving delegates a chance to engage with local horticulture while participating in an international program of conferences and visits. The 78th edition will be held in the Puglia region of southern Italy, one of the country's most productive and well-regarded horticultural zones, making the location itself as much a part of the experience as the program.
This year's host is ANVE, the Italian national association of nursery exporters, making it, for the most part, a fitting setting for the event focused on the global conversations on horticultural knowledge and expertise. AIPH President Leonardo Capitanio, who hails from the Puglia region, has even extended a personal welcome to attendees, noting that he is proud to welcome all to his home region of Puglia and looks forward to sharing the best of Italian horticulture, landscaping, and hospitality.
Leonardo Capitanio:
“The AIPH community is bringing together growers, landscapers, Expo organizers, and city leaders in Bari to explore the future of horticulture and greener cities.”
A Full Five-Day Program
This year’s Congress, which is open to all professionals with an interest in the future of the industry, offers delegates the opportunity to experience leading nurseries, production systems, and horticultural businesses personally while exploring developments shaping the future of ornamental horticulture.
The five-day program combines the AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference, the AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference, and a series of professional visits showcasing leading nurseries and production systems across the region. Together, these events provide a platform for international dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration across the global horticultural industry, alongside discussion of the planning and delivery of International Horticultural Expos.
AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference (September 14)
This conference brings together organizers of AIPH-approved International Horticultural Expos in a dedicated forum to share progress, exchange learning, and engage directly with AIPH leadership. Confirmed updates cover three major upcoming events: Green Expo 2027 Yokohama in Japan, Expo 2029 Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) in Thailand, and Expo 2031 Minnesota in the USA. For those involved in or tracking the global Expo landscape, this session provides access to the people and organizations behind these large-scale international events.
AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference (September 15)
This convention is centered on the theme of ‘growth,’ and the Industry Conference brings together international speakers and experts to address four key topics that are actively shaping the future of ornamental horticulture:
- The power of plants in creating more livable cities
- Innovative methods for increasing productivity
- Ensuring sustainable production for a long-term future
- Using technology, including artificial intelligence, to grow the industry intelligently
These sessions are designed to give delegates insights and a comprehensive understanding of where the industry is heading, drawing on knowledge from professionals operating in different markets and regions.
Professional Nursery Visits (September 16 to 17)
Across two full days, delegates get an opportunity to visit four leading nurseries in the Puglia region. Each of these nurseries offers a window into Italian horticultural production at its best. The featured nurseries are Vivai Capitanio, Florpagano, Primavita, and Auricchio, and the visits allow delegates to see production systems, plant selection strategies, and commercial operations firsthand, while connecting with peers from around the world in an informal setting.
Extended Tours to Pistoia (September 18 to 19)
For those who wish to prolong their stay, AIPH and ANVE have organized optional additional tours to the Pistoia area in Tuscany, one of Europe's most important nursery production zones. Over two days, delegates have the chance to visit Tesi Federico and Fabio, VivAgriLab, Innocenti and Mangoni, Giorgio Tesi Group, Rosellini Riccardo, Luca Maffucci, and Vivai Federigi. The tours provide an exceptional opportunity to explore Italian horticulture outside of Puglia, taking in a wider range of businesses, landscapes, and production approaches.
Why You Should Attend
As noted, the 78th AIPH Annual Congress is open to all professionals interested in the future of the ornamental horticulture industry. Participants typically include growers, national horticultural associations, AIPH-approved Expo organizers, city leaders, suppliers, industry executives, researchers, and anyone seeking to strengthen their place within the sector globally.
Regardless of whether one attends to follow developments in international Expo planning, gain practical insights from nursery visits, or just to build relationships with peers from other markets, the Congress is structured to deliver value across all of these goals.
Some of the key reasons to attend include gaining an international perspective on industry developments, learning from organizations operating across different markets, building professional relationships that support future collaboration, experiencing Italian horticulture in practice, and contributing to conversations on sustainability, technology, and productivity that shape the sector.
There is also the social and networking element, which should not be overlooked either. With delegates traveling from countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and elsewhere, the event offers a rare convergence of global expertise in one place, and an opportunity to make connections that last even after the five days in Bari.
Register for the 78th AIPH Annual Congress
Registration for the 78th AIPH Annual Congress is now open for all professionals with an interest in the ornamental horticulture industry. The Congress is supported by Host Partner ANVE, Headline Sponsor Biblo, and Gold Sponsor Living Hospitality.
For full details on the program, speakers, and logistics, visit: 78th AIPH Annual Congress, Bari, Italy. You may also follow the conversation online using #AIPHCongress2026 and @AIPHGlobal.
