Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) is a not-for-profit, grower-owned Research and Development Corporation (RDC) for Australia’s $17 billion horticulture industry. Hort Innovation invests around $170 million in research and development (R&D) and marketing programs annually to provide benefit to industry and the wider community.

Hort Innovation is seeking a qualified, experienced, and capable delivery partner for the project: Cherry Industry Conference 2026 (CY25001).

This project aims to deliver an industry-wide conference for the Australian cherry industry, focusing on relevant R&D to improve cherry quality and crop management. The goal is to sustain and increase market access both domestically and internationally.

Additionally, the project will enhance the cherry industry's resilience to challenges such as unfavourable weather conditions and improve crop management practices (e.g., irrigation, nutrition, and canopy structure). It will also support international competitiveness, contribute to production resilience, and improve product quality, guided by the national cherry communication and extension strategy (CY22002).

The 2026 Australian Cherry Industry Conference should be planned and delivered in an accessible cherry-growing region. The program should showcase key levy projects and facilitate interactions between attendees, relevant experts, and Hort Innovation personnel.

The conference should include:

• A welcome event

• A day of presentations from domestic and international guest speakers on industry-directed topics

• An industry awards dinner

• A field day where growers can view different cherry orchards and technologies

Through presentations from domestic and international experts, networking opportunities, and a field day using contemporary and innovative extension practices, levy payers should gain a greater understanding of R&D outcomes and industry developments that could impact their businesses.

Hort Innovation has prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) document that provides background information, outlines the scope of services, the procurement process and the information required from interested parties.