2023 Summit
On July 3-6, 2023, the global blueberry community will come together in Lublin, Poland, for the International Blueberry Organization Summit, the world’s top blueberry industry event.
This will be the first opportunity in four years to meet in person and explore what lies ahead for the global blueberry industry, as the last IBO Summit in Peru had to be on-line due to the pandemic.
PROGRAM
Two conference days will provide a broad range of forward-thinking sessions, panels and presentations dealing with every aspect of the blueberry industry, including genetics, production technology, sustainability, transport and logistics, consumer behavior, health research and more.
A panel involving key players from the largest blueberry production and distribution companies will discuss what the future holds for the industry. As highlighted by the Summit’s motto, “Making blueberries the world’s favorite superfruit”, the best marketing practices from around the world will be the focus of a special session on promotion.
SPECIAL GUEST: UKRAINE
Following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the IBO will also be expressing solidarity for the Ukrainian blueberry industry by way of showcasing the country during the Summit.
LOCATION
Lublin, a scenic city in south-eastern Poland with over 700 years of history, is situated at the crossroads between Eastern and Western Europe. It is also the capital of Poland’s leading berry-growing region, which boasts a unique climate, with the highest number of sunny days per year in the country, making it a perfect place for soft fruit production.
We are very glad that you wish to participate in the IBO Summit 2023. Below you will find some useful information.
IBO Summit 2023 will be held on 3-6 July 2023 at the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures (Centrum Spotkania Kultur) in Lublin, 1 Teatralny Square, 20-029 Lublin, Poland.
The cost of participation in IBO Summit 2023
"Early bird" price from the start of registration until 31.05.2023:
regular participants - 1400 PLN net + 23% VAT (approx. 300 EUR)
special price for Polish and Ukrainian blueberry growers - 699 PLN net + 23%VAT (approx. 150 EUR)
Regular price from 01.06.2023 to 21.06.2023
regular participants - 1850 PLN net + 23% VAT (approx. 400 EUR)
special price for Polish and Ukrainian blueberry growers - 999 PLN net + 23%VAT (approx. 200 EUR)
What is included in the participation fee
As part of the participation fee, we provide participation in all sessions, access to the exhibition area, conference materials, coffee breaks and lunch on July 3 and 4, as well as participation in the Gala Banquet on July 3, which will be held at the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures after the first day of the conference.
Transfers
In addition, as part of the participation fee, collective transfers will be organized at fixed times for delegates arriving on July 2 and departing from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) on July 4, 5 and 6 (depending on the choice of farm tours). Details will be communicated at a later date by e-mail.
Between the Centre for the Meeting of Cultures and the hotels recommended on the ibosummit2023.com website, we will provide bus transport on 3 and 4 July.
Accommodation
The congress fee does NOT include accommodation. Hotel reservations must be made and paid for by yourself. In the "Venue" tab there are recommended hotels which prepared special offers for IBO Summit 2023 participants.
Farm tours
During registration, you will be able to choose a tour to one of the blueberry farms, which will take place on 5 and 6 July. Participation in the tour is at an additional cost of PLN 250 net + 23% VAT. When booking participation in the tour on July 5 and July 6, please take into account that the trip to the Wilczewscy Blueberry Farm will start from Warsaw. After the tour on July 5, around 17.00, we will provide a transfer from Lublin to Warsaw - please remember to book accommodation in Warsaw for the night of July 5/6. Recommended hotel is Arche Krakowska Hotel - www.archehotelkrakowska.pl.
Detailed information can be found in the Regulations for the purchase of participation in IBO Summit 2023 and Regulations for participation in IBO Summit 2023
Agenda
9:00 – 9:30 welcome and registration
9:30 – 9:45 Opening remarks
Peter McPherson, IBO Chairman
Dominika Kozarzewska, Polish Blueberry Promotion Foundation
9:45– 10:00 INAUGURATION OF THE POLISH BLUEBERRY SEASON
10:00 – 11:30 Changing industry in a changing world
10:00 – 10:45 IBO 2023 Report presentation and discussion
Cort Brazelton, Co-CEO, Fall Creek Farm and Nursery
Colin Fain, CEO, Agronometrics
A presentation of the IBO Global State of the Blueberry Industry Report 2023, highlighting current trends and freshest production and consumption data.
10:45 – 11:30 The impact of disruptive growth regions
IBO Country Members panel
Moderator: Cort Brazelton, Co-CEO, Fall Creek Farm and Nursery
The panel will seek to answer the pivotal question for today’s blueberry industry: what will be the impact of disruptive production growth in some regions on the future of the market?
11:30 – 12:00 networking break
12:00 – 12:45 Local Spotlight: what is happening in Poland, Ukraine and Turkey
12:00 – 12:15 Polish Blueberry industry
prof. Stanisław Pluta, Institute of Horticulture
Dominika Kozarzewska, Polish Blueberry Promotion Foundation
12:15 – 12:30 The way forward for Ukraine
Iryna Kukhtina, Ukrainian Berries Association
12:30 – 12:45 Turkey - a new player on the blueberry market
Halit Duran PhD, Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye
12:45 – 13:30 networking lunch
13:30 – 15:00 The Road Ahead: Where is the blueberry industry going?
Soren Bjorn, President, Driscoll’s of the America’s
Juan Ignacio Allende, CEO, Hortifrut S.A.
Two top players provide valuable insights on what the future holds for the blueberry industry. Q&A session.
15:00 – 15:30 networking break
15:30 – 19:00 Innovate or stagnate
15:30 – 16:05 Genetics – a review of recently released cultivars at all chill levels
Michael Dosset, BC Berry Cultivar Development Inc.
16:05 – 16:40 Review of innovation in machine harvesters and packhouse technology
Rod Cook, Ag-View Consulting
16:40 – 17:00 Q&A
17:00 – 17:30 Growing technology
Dennis Wilson, Delphy
17:30 – 18:00 USHBC BerrySmart Fields Project: Inspiring profitability and productivity through technology
Steve Mantle, innov8.ag
18:00 – 18:30 Post-harvest technology
Bruno Defilippi, Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias
18:30-19:00 Q&A
19:00 – 22:00 GALA BANQUET
Delegates will have a choice of 3 farm tours (subject to availability and including lunch) departing from Lublin on July 5th:
Ochoża Blueberry Farm is one of the biggest fully certified organic blueberry plantations in the world, and the largest one in Europe.
Blueberry Factory in Karczmiska is a test soft fruit farm run by Pawel Krawiec, PhD. The blueberry part of the farm contains test plots with a number of new northern highbush varieties in various production systems.
Polskie Jagody is a Producers Organization seated in Olchowiec. The blueberry fields total 130 ha, partly under tunnels. The state-of-the-art packhouse is equipped with optical sorting.
Farm tours
Delegates will have a choice of 3 farm tours (subject to availability and including lunch) departing from Lublin on July 5th:
Ochoża Blueberry Farm
Ochoza farm is part of the “POLANA” group of farms. It is one of the biggest fully certified organic blueberry plantations in the world, and the largest one in Europe. The planted area is currently 110 ha, 30 ha of which is under tunnels.
The farm tour will also include some demonstrations of various equipment, such as a drone sprayer in action. The farm is located 1 hour by bus from the venue. Upon return to Lublin, there will be a sightseeing tour of the Lublin Old Town with craft beer tasting. For those wishing to only see the farm, they will not be far from the Hotel on return to Lublin, and can therefore easily make their way back to the hotel at any time.
more info: http://polanafruit.pl/en/ochoza-en/
Blueberry Factory in Karczmiska
A test soft fruit farm run by Pawel Krawiec, PhD. The 4-ha blueberry part of the farm contains test plots with a number of new northern highbush varieties in various production systems.
The farm is located 1 hour by bus from venue. Delegates travelling to this farm will have the opportunity to visit the scenic Renaissance town of Kazimierz Dolny.
Polskie Jagody
A Producers Organization seated in Olchowiec. The blueberry fields total 130 ha, partly under tunnels. The state-of-the-art packhouse is equipped with optical sorting.
Polskie Jagody is 2 hours by bus from venue. On the way back, we will have lunch in the beautiful town of Zamość, a UNESCO heritage site.
more info: https://www.polskiejagody.pl/en/
Optional farm tour departing on July 6th from Warsaw:
Wilczewscy Blueberry Farm
The largest blueberry farm in Europe. Out of the 600 ha of blueberries, 270 ha are grown under tunnels or rain sheds.
The farm is located 3 hours by bus from Warsaw. Return is scheduled around 6 p.m.
more info: https://blueberry.pl/en/
About IBO
The IBO is a global organization bringing together leaders from around the blueberry world in all segments of the industry, including blueberry producers and marketers, affiliated business, social groups, and governmental organizations worldwide.
We come together to learn, share, increase understanding, distribute information, address mutual challenges, coordinate potential solutions and explore opportunities. Ultimately, the organization exists to advance the health and sustainability of the blueberry industry.
Sponsors & Partners
Become a sponsor
Be a part of the top event of the global blueberry industry. Connect with blueberry growers and distributors from 6 continents. Bring your brand to the attention of senior executives in the blueberry business.
The 2 previous Summits attracted between 400+ (Vancouver) and 600+ (Peru, virtual Summit) participants coming from over 20 top blueberry producing countries.
Please send e-mail at: sponsors@ibosummit2023.com and our sponsorship team will assist you in finding the right package for your needs.
Honorary Partners
Titanium partner
Diamond Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Partners
Media Partners
Venue & Hotels
CENTRUM SPOTKANIA KULTUR W LUBLINIE
plac Teatralny 1
20-029 Lublin, Poland
HOW TO GET THERE:
The nearest airports are the Lublin Świdnik airport (LUZ) – served mostly by budget airlines and Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) with worldwide connections.
Transfers from (on July 2nd) and to the Warsaw airport (on July 5th and 6th) will be provided subject to sharing your flight number before the event.
Duration of transfer: approx. 2 hours.
Hotels
Accommodation of IBO SUMMIT 2023 delegates is NOT included in the cost of participation.
Bookings and payments for accommodation must be made on your own.
Below we present a few selected, recommended hotels which have prepared special offers.
PASSWORD FOR HOTEL SPECIAL OFFERS: IBO Summit 2023
In order to profit from the special offers, please call or e-mail the hotel of your choice.