The 2010 ISF World Seed Congress was hosted in Calgary, bringing the event back to Canada for the first time in two decades.
Two billion dollars. It is a huge sum but it is an estimate of the volume of business done in just one week at the World Seed Congress in Calgary. The Canadian Seed Trade Association was honoured to host the International Seed Federation’s annual Congress and the almost 1,200 attendees were given the warmest greeting the Canadian hosts could offer.
In the $40 billion seed industry, about $7 billion is traded globally. Conservatively, the meetings and connections made at the annual Congress form the basis for likely, at least, 30% of the business—well over $2 billion.
That’s a lot of trading and a huge opportunity for Canadian companies to showcase their products and services. More than four times as many Canadian delegates participated in this World Congress as compared to the usual. In addition, there was an extraordinary outpouring of support for the organizers, with more than 120 volunteers giving their time and expertise to help ensure every detail of the Congress went smoothly. Delegates commented over and over again that they had never experienced such hospitality at any Congress anywhere in the world.
At the same time, the International Seed Federation conducted successful sessions on topics as varied as low level presence, seed lots, and biodiversity. The Congress was a venue for business, thought, and interaction.
Chuck Hilhorst, chair of the National Organizing Committee, World Seed Congress 2010.
Chuck Hilhorst
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