The first edition of the International Citrus Forum took place between the 21st and 23rd of June in Alicante. EDYPRO had the privilege of participating as platinum sponsors and we are proud to have been part of this great event in the sector. The sensations during the event already gave us the intuition that we were attending a meeting of the highest level with a great success in terms of participation and organisation.
The analysis of the figures after the event tells us that we were right. More than 1,450 people from more than 230 companies in the sector, from more than 15 countries, registered for the forum. An event that has had a digital reach of more than 3,350,000 impacts.
We spoke to Arturo Soler, CEO of Agromarketing España, the company that organised the Citrus Forum, to find out what they think of the event and what plans they have for the second edition.
- How did the idea of organising this event come about?
At Agromarketing España we are always attentive to the needs of the market, trying to provide added value to all the links in the agricultural chain. So, after a conversation with a prestigious technician from the citrus sector, we came to the conclusion that we wanted to organise a global and very ambitious event where citrus fruits would be the protagonists.
- What objectives did you set yourselves when you set it up?
Every time we organise an event of this nature we follow very clear objectives: to add value to the agricultural sector, to generate practical and useful knowledge about the most important aspects of the crop in question (citrus in this case), to create a world-class technical programme by inviting the best professionals in their respective areas and to turn the event into a meeting and networking point for the whole sector, promoting work meetings and new professional relationships.
- What is your assessment of this first edition?
The balance could not be more positive and enriching.
All the objectives have been more than met. The participating companies have expressed their satisfaction and the surveys we have carried out show very positive data among the professionals who attended CITRUS FORUM.
We believe that the sector has been rejuvenated and has come out stronger. For several months the Spanish citrus sector has been resonating strongly throughout the world and all this tells us that the work has been done very well in this first edition.
- Are you already planning the second edition and will there be anything new?
Yes, many participants suggested organising the second edition in 2023, but after the internal meeting we have decided that the second edition of CITRUS FORUM will take place in 2024 in a place yet to be determined. In this way we give researchers and technicians time to develop new developments and innovations in the sector. It is not about organising for the sake of organising, but always seeking to contribute and enrich.
As for the second edition, although we are still a long way off, we already have some clear ideas. There will be more time for relax and networking, seeking to foster and strengthen new professional relationships.
Another novelty will be the internationalisation of the event. To this end, we will continue to focus on bringing the world’s leading experts in citriculture. It is important that they tell us what is being done in other parts of the world in order to have a global vision of the sector and the solutions to be applied.
From Agromarketing Spain we would like to thank once again all the companies and research centres that have supported CITRUS FORUM as well as all the expert speakers and professionals who attended. Thanks to all of them we have created a world reference event that will mark the path of present and future citriculture.
Visit Citrus Forum website here!