Agriculture and food industry are two fields which prove to be remarkably stable even in times of economic crisis. However, one prerequisite for entrepreneurial success is the willingness to constant innovation. This includes product development, efficient use of energy and further training and education of qualified personnel. A transnational cooperation of companies may provide important stimuli, long-term prospects and opportunities for orientation on rapidly changing markets.

AgroFoodLink is an initiative of enterprises, associations and organizations from the agricultural and food industry fields, research institutes as well as public and municipal business developers from the Netherlands, North-Rhine Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Flanders. Its objective is the support, development and realization of transnational cooperations. As first step, a one-day congress will inform about opportunities, chances and the necessity of international cooperation activities.

In interactive and informative workshops, experts from economy and research will provide insights into the latest developments in technology, sustainability, marketing and further education. The DIL is heading a workshop on the cooperation between economy and science.

The following topics will be addressed in the individual workshops:

Innovation Track

• Successful product development through transnational cooperation
• Stimuli for innovation through science and market
• Responding to new trends

Sustainability track

• Earning money with waste streams
• Consumption and source - integral energy management
• How can a company be turned into a climate neutral business?

Education track

• Cross-company trainee programs
• Vocational training in agricultural and food companies
• Attracting apprentices and trainees

Market track

• Undertaking without limits ... in developing countries?
• Regional branding - burden or solution?
• What does the customer expect?

The congress also gives you the chance to expand your own network. Around the event and during the breaks there is the opportunity to socialize with colleagues and to talk to the initiators of AgroFoodLink. Upon registration you may give us your company profile which will then be published in the congress brochure. This makes it easy for you to meet with new business partners from the sectors “technological cooperation” and “international trade” or to be identified by other interested participants.

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Einladung Kongress AgroFoodLink 2009 (german)

Congress details