Program

The INC Congress provided a unique environment for participants to learn, network and share knowledge and experiences.

download congress program
Vote Innovation Award

MAY 20, 2023

  • May 20, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 05:30 PM
  • Ballroom Foyer

CONGRESS REGISTRATION

MAY 21, 2023

  • May 21, 2023 | 07:30 AM - 05:30 PM
  • Ballroom Foyer

CONGRESS REGISTRATION

MAY 22, 2023

  • May 22, 2023 | 07:30 AM - 05:30 PM
  • Ballroom Foyer

CONGRESS REGISTRATION

  • May 22, 2023 | 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • The Ballroom

EXHIBITION AREA

  • May 22, 2023 | 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM
  • 1st Floor

MEETING AREA

Sponsored by

CONGRESS OPENING & ANNUAL REPORT

Presented by Goretti Guasch, INC Executive Director

Honorary Speaker: HE Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary of Support Services Sector, Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

Delivery of the Excellence in Research Award to Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó

  • May 22, 2023 | 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • The Ballroom

ALL-DAY COFFEE

Sponsored by

  • May 09, 2022 | 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Conference Center - Joharah Ballroom
  • Sunny Verghese

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MR. SUNNY VERGHESE

Co-founder & Group CEO of Olam International Limited, Singapore
“Building sustainable food and Ag systems of the future.” 

Delivery of the Corporate Golden Nut Award to ofi

  • May 22, 2023 | 08:30 AM - 09:15 AM
  • The Great Room

CONGRESS OPENING & HOT TOPICS WITHIN THE NUT & DRIED FRUIT INDUSTRY by the INC's Executive Director

  • May 22, 2023 | 09:15 AM - 10:00 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ms.Virginia Stagni, Head of Business Development, Financial Times

  • FT Talent Challenge, the importance of identifying young talents to bring into the company
  • May 22, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

ALMONDS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Brian Ezell, Vice President, Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds, USA

  • Laura Gerhard, VP Global Ingredients, Blue Diamond Growers, USA
  • Damien Houlahan, Senior VP, Almonds Business, ofi, Australia
  • Niels Kristoffersen, Head of Purchasing, MOLL Marzipan, Germany
  • Antonio Pont Jr, CEO, Crisol de Frutos Secos, Spain
  • Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

ALMONDS Round Table

Chaired by Brian Ezell, Vice President, Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds, USA.
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 22, 2023 | 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

NUTRITION RESEARCH SEMINAR

Chaired by Prof. Jordi Salas-Salvadó, Chairman of the INC World Forum for Nutrition Research and Dissemination.

Guest Speakers:

  • Dr. Marta Guasch-Ferré, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health and Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Prof. Gideon Lack, Professor of Paediatric Allergy, King’s College London, UK
  • May 22, 2023 | 11:45 AM - 12:45 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

PISTACHIOS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Mia Cohen, Chief Operating Officer, Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, USA

  • Mike Hohmann, Executive VP and CFO, Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds, USA
  • Behrooz Agah, Member of the Board of Trustees, Iran Pistachio Association, Iran
  • Yasir Aydin, Manager, Aydin Kuruyemis, Türkiye
  • Amancio Muñoz, Purchasing General Director IFS, Importaco, Spain
  • Sameer Wadhwa, Owner, Hindasia Foods, India

PISTACHIOS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by 
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 22, 2023 | 12:45 AM - 1:45 PM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

PEANUTS AND PECANS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Lalo Medina, President, Pecan Grove Farms, USA

  • Chen Ying, Director of Cereals and Oils, China Chamber of Commerce, China
  • Richard Owen, President and CEO, American Peanut Council, USA
  • Andreas Snyman, Executive Manager, GWK, South Africa
  • Andrew Waddell, Business Development Manager, Stahmann Webster, Australia

PEANUTS AND PECANS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by 
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 22, 2023 | 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
  • The Great Room Balcony

WORKING BUFFET LUNCH

Sponsored by

  • May 22, 2023 | 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
  • The Dorchester Ballroom

WELCOME COCKTAIL

Sponsored by

MAY 23, 2023

  • May 23, 2023 | 07:30 AM - 05:30 PM
  • Ballroom Foyer

CONGRESS REGISTRATION

  • May 23, 2023 | 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • The Ballroom

EXHIBITION AREA

  • May 23, 2023 | 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM
  • 1st Floor

MEETING AREA

Sponsored by

  • May 23, 2023 | 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • The Ballroom

ALL-DAY COFFEE

Sponsored by

  • May 23, 2023 | 08:30 AM - 09:30 PM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

WALNUTS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by John Aguiar, International Sales Director, Mariani Nut Company, USA

  • Jinkui Zhou, Deputy General Manager, Fenyang Reell Food, China
  • Gary Ford, Executive Chairman/CEO, Diamond Foods, USA
  • David Valenzuela, Managing Director, La Invernada, Chile
  • Serkan Görgülü, General Manager, Lidya Walnuts, Romania/Türkiye
  • Gunjan V. Jain, Managing Director, VKC Nuts, India

WALNUTS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by John Aguiar, International Sales Director, Mariani Nut Company, USA.
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 23, 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:15 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

SUSTAINABILITY SEMINAR

Chaired by Pino Calcagni, Chairman of the INC Sustainability, Scientific and Government Affairs Committee

Guest Speakers:

  • Dr. Rachael Garrett, Moran Professor of Conservation and Development, University of Cambridge, UK
  • May 23, 2023 | 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
  • The Great Room

INC CHAIRMAN'S ROUND TABLE

  • May 23, 2023 | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

RAISINS, PRUNES AND CRANBERRIES ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Brad Schuler, Vice President, Sunsweet Growers, USA

  • Emrah Yasar, Partner and Managing Director, VESTA, Türkiye
  • Donn Zea, Executive Director, California Prune Board, USA
  • Jose Tomas Quezada, Commercial Manager, Pacific Nuts & Dried Fruits, Chile
  • Dirk Schmidt, CEO and Partner, Bösch Boden Spies, Germany

RAISINS, PRUNES & CRANBERRIES ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Brad Schuler, Vice President, Sunsweet Growers, USA.
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 23, 2023 | 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

BRAZIL NUTS AND PINE NUTS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Edward Danon, Director, Voicevale, UK

  • Rodrigo Coca, General Manager of Amazonas Manutata, Peru will be represented by Daniel Suarez, Sales Manager, Amazonas Manutata
  • Munish Minocha, CEO, Caro Nut, USA
  • Liyuan Chen, Owner and Founder, Sunshine (Tianjin) Produce Limited, China will be represented by Charles Ma, Senior BD Manager, Sunshine (Tianjin) Produce Limited
  • Mehmet Cikmaz, Executive Manager, Kahraman Tarim, Türkiye

BRAZIL NUTS AND PINE NUTS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Edward Danon, Director, Voicevale, UK.
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 23, 2023 | 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

GLOBAL CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES by INC Stakeholders

Chaired by Antonio Pont, INC Honorary President and Executive Committee Member

  • Belinda Neville, Program Manager, Nuts for Life, Australia
  • Jose Eduardo Camargo, President, Brazilian Association of Nuts and Dried Fruits, Brazil
  • Christina Chen, China National Food Industry Association (CNSA), China
  • Esther Ritson-Elliott, Executive Committee Member, The Dried Fruit Alliance, UK
  • Maureen Ternus, Executive Director, NREF, USA
  • Richard Matoian, President, American Pistachio Growers, USA
  • May 23, 2023 | 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
  • The Great Room Balcony

WORKING BUFFET LUNCH

Sponsored by

  • May 23, 2023 | 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Tate Modern

CASUAL BUFFET DINNER

Sponsored by

MAY 24, 2023

  • May 24, 2023 | 07:30 AM - 02:00 PM
  • Ballroom Foyer

CONGRESS REGISTRATION

  • May 24, 2023 | 08:00 AM - 05:30 PM
  • The Ballroom

EXHIBITION AREA

  • May 24, 2023 | 08:30 AM - 05:30 PM
  • 1st Floor

MEETING AREA

Sponsored by

  • May 24, 2023 | 08:00 PM - 05:30 PM
  • The Ballroom

ALL-DAY COFFEE

Sponsored by

  • May 24, 2023 | 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

HAZELNUTS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Hasan Sabir, General Manager, Sabirlar, Türkiye

  • Riccardo Calcagni, CEO, Besana Group, Italy
  • Larry George, President, George Packing Company, USA
  • Jorge Mohr, Director, Nefuen Trading, Chile

HAZELNUTS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Hasan Sabir, General Manager, Sabirlar, Türkiye.
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 24, 2023 | 09:30 AM - 10:15 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Ms. Edurne Pasaban, mountaineer. The first woman to summit all 14 eight-thousanders

  • Expedition to success: Achieving goals and overcoming difficulties

  • May 24, 2023 | 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

MACADAMIAS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Alan Sutton, Chairman, Valley Macadamia Group, South Africa

  • Richard Sampson Genest, Director, CCO, Stahmann Webster, Australia
  • Mbugua Ngugi, Managing Director, Kenya Nut Company, Kenya
  • Jose Eduardo Camargo, Co-Founder, Director, QueenNut Macadamia, Brazil
  • Chen Wen, CEO President, Symbol Group, China

MACADAMIAS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Alan Sutton, Chairman, Valley Macadamia Group, South Africa.
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 24, 2023 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

DATES, APRICOTS AND FIGS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Guillaume Pagy, General Manager, Pagysa & Nova Fruits International, Türkiye

  • Ahmed Boujbel, General Manager, Boudjebel, Tunisia
  • Ogan Ceryan, Board Member and Plant Manager, Anatolia AS, Türkiye
  • Miray Usta, Member of the Board, Usta Food, Türkiye
  • James Weaire, Managing Director, Chelmer Foods, UK

  • Adam Green, President, The Hemisphere Group, USA

DATES, APRICOTS AND FIGS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Guillaume Pagy, General Manager, Pagysa & Nova Fruits International, Türkiye.
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 24, 2023 | 12:00 AM - 01:00 PM
  • The Great Room
  • Live Q&A

CASHEWS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Ümit Ergin, Vice-President, PLM Cashews, ofi, USA

  • Pankaj Sampat, Director, Samsons Traders, India
  • Vu Thai Son, General Director, Long Son, Vietnam
  • David Rosenblatt, President, Richard Franco Agency, USA
  • Wim Schipper, Director Procurement, Intersnack Cashew Company, Netherlands

CASHEWS ROUND TABLE

Chaired by Ümit Ergin, Vice-President, PLM Cashews, Ofi, USA.
– Brenton Woolston, Managing Director, Almondco, Australia
– Antonio Pont Jr., President, Crisolar, Spain
– Raju Bhatia, Founder and Managing Partner, California Agri Nuts Corporation, India

Delivery of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Research in Almonds to Dr. Karen Lapsley

  • May 24, 2023 | 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
  • The Great Room Balcony

WORKING BUFFET LUNCH

Sponsored by

  • May 24, 2023 | 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
  • The Great Room

COCKTAIL

Sponsored by

  • May 24, 2023 | 07:30 PM - 11:00 PM
  • JW Marriot Grosvenor House Hotel

GALA DINNER & BALL

The Gala Dinner & Ball at INC Congresses was the perfect way to wrap up a great event, and it is highly enjoyed at each congress.

The Gala Dinner & Ball at INC Congresses was the perfect way to wrap up a great event, and it is highly enjoyed at each congress. Remember, you need to save your spot for the Gala Dinner. Reservations are now open!

Sponsored by

MAY 25, 2023

  • May 25, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 04:30 PM
  • Royal Automobile Club, Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey
  • May 25, 2023 | 10:00 AM - 04:30 PM
  • Royal Automobile Club, Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey
  • Guidelines

GOLF & TENNIS DAY

Did you join to show off your skills to your fellow peers at the 2023 INC Golf & Tennis Day? Took place just after the congress on Thursday, May 25th at Royal Automobile Club, Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey, and we had the opportunity to see some of the beautiful English countryside and spend time with fellow industry members. The club boasts two exceptional downland golf courses and also counts on six outdoor, floodlit courts: three artificial clay and three porous rubber. The event included brunch on arrival to get everybody warmed up for their game and ended with a round of celebratory drinks.

Show off your skills to your fellow peers and sign up for the 2023 INC Golf & Tennis Day! Taking place just after the congress on Thursday, May 25th at Royal Automobile Club, Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey, why not take the opportunity to see some of the beautiful English countryside and spend time with fellow industry members. The club boasts two exceptional downland golf courses and also counts on six outdoor, floodlit courts: three artificial clay and three porous rubber. The event will include brunch on arrival to get everybody warmed up for their game and end with a round of celebratory drinks.
GUIDELINES
GOLF GAME
TENNIS MATCH
GUIDELINES

May 12, 2022

  • May 12, 2022
  • Dubai

HERITAGE DUBAI CITY TOUR

Tour starts at 9:00 am 
Bus pick up point: Conference Center Entrance
Duration: Up to 6 hours. 
Tour finishes at 2:00 pm

The objective of the tour is to give a glimpse about how people lived in the past before the Union and before the discovery of oil in the Emirate of Dubai, when it was a Pearl diving village and a regional hub for trade between the Arabian Gulf and Indian subcontinent and other cities.
A walk-through day of lore to see, feel and experience how the people lived and leveraged the available resources that their environment provided. You will also discover how Emiratis have a strong sense of community and social values.

Key interests: History, Culture, Tradition, Culinary

Highlights:

  • Visit Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
  • Walk through Heritage Village of Dubai to get a better understanding about Tradition Occupation People of UAE used to do, Housing Models they used to live in and Traditional Food and way of making it
  • A ride on the traditional Abra boat across scenic Dubai Creek
  • A visit to the Spice and Gold Souks, with tantalizing scents and shimmering jewellery
  • Visit Al Ahmadieh Heritage Guest House which has been built in the style of a traditional Arabic Heritage House with a typical central courtyard.
  • Visit Al Ahmadyah School which was founded and established by His Eminence, the late Sheikh Ahmed bin Dalmouk in 1912.
  • Lunch at the Bayt Al Wakeel Local Restaurant Overlooking Dubai Creek

May 13, 2022

  • May 13, 2022
  • Dubai

MODERN DUBAI CITY TOUR

Tour starts at 9:00 am 
Bus pick up point: Conference Center Entrance
Duration: Up to 6 hours. 
Tour finishes at 3:00 pm

Discover the bustling metropolis of Dubai with its dazzling skyline and pristine beaches. The ‘Modern Dubai City Tour’ will take you on a magical journey to iconic landmarks that form the heart and soul of this modern city of contrasts. Visiting the world’s tallest building, the largest mall to ever exist which houses one of the biggest aquariums in the world or the trendiest glittering spots in the town, this unique tour is bound to create memories that will cherish forever.

Key interests: City, Entertainment, Skyscrapers, Views, Iconic structures

Highlights

  • A visit to Dubai Marina, an awe-inspiring city-within-a city with a cosmopolitan, free-spirited atmosphere and unique, invigorating lifestyle
  • A drive across Palm Jumeirah, world’s largest artificially made island abundant with opulent hotels and homes, with a photo stop at the iconic Atlantis Hotel
  • A visit to The Dubai Mall, the largest mall in the world
  • A journey to ‘At the Top’ observation deck on level 124 of the tallest building in the world – Burj Khalifa
  • Lunch at Siraj Restaurant Souq Al Bahar Restaurant
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.