Future Leaders in Horticulture Return to the Netherlands for Mastercourse

After a successful edition in January of this year, the Mastercourse Floriculture returns one more time in autumn and coincides with IFTF and Aalsmeer Trade Fair. The selection of participants is finalized and from 28 October - 8 November 2024 another group of (future) CEO’s representing international, ‘future proof’ floricultural companies will visit the Netherlands for a two-week intensive program. 

The Mastercourse Floriculture is powered by Jungle Talks in close cooperation with leading providers of knowledge and technology from the Netherlands. ‘Although it has been somewhat a challenge, timewise and selection-wise, to organize two Mastercourses in one year, we were able to select another great group of true future leaders in floriculture,’ says co-organizer Renee Snijders.  

‘ Looking at our planning per year, we’ve decided to move the course to autumn and have it coincide with the IFTF and Aalsmeer Trade Fair. It’s generally a quieter period of the year and easier for both participants and partners to make the time to join and support. We intend to keep this Mastercourse Floriculture planned for autumn each year and look forward also to re-ignite the Pro Manager Mastercourse Vegetables from 2025 onwards, planning that event in June coinciding with the Greentech.’ 

This edition’s participants come from Canada, USA, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Kenya, Egypt, China, Poland, Spain and the Netherlands. This diverse group is once again a good reflection of the worldwide floricultural sector, both in terms of geography and product differentiation. ‘Our participants are active in the production of cut flowers, green and flowering plants, Phalaenopsis, bedding plants as well as outdoor plants and trees,’ mentions Ed Smit.  

Partners
During two intensive weeks in the Netherlands and Germany, the selected participants are immersed in a wealth of horticultural knowledge and experience. Koppert, Logiqs, Viscon, Dümmen Orange, Klasmann-Deilmann, Chrysal, Bunnik Creations, Ledgnd, Floramedia, Greenhouse Sustainability and Van Krimpen are partners of the Pro Manager Mastercourse. The participants will be received by members of the board of directors at each of the forementioned companies.  

Cooperating companies’ directors are receiving the participants and will discuss merely strategy and vision. These strategic insights provide the participants with a final encouragement in their development towards the steps to be taken in their own company to take over the lead. After two weeks of meetings with Dutch floricultural leaders, complemented by inspirational sessions and interactive meetings and workshops, the participants will be asked to pitch their personal vision on the future of the international floricultural sector and the role of their company in it. 

Last but not least, Jungle Talks continues its cooperation with AIPH on organizing the ‘Young International Grower of the Year Award’. One of the selected participants to this Pro Manager Mastercourse will receive this award during the AIPH gala evening taking place during the IPM Essen in January 2025.  

 “We are very proud these leading companies and organizations work together to support and inspire this international group,’ says co-organizer Renee Snijders. “Jungle Talks will maintain and foster the contacts between participants, partners and supporters also after the Pro Manager Mastercourse, in order to make sure that all parties will make the most of this valuable cooperation.”