The 78th AIPH Annual Congress overview

The 78th AIPH Annual Congress will take place from 13th-17th September 2026 in the beautiful city of Bari, in the Puglia region of Italy

The Congress provides an important platform to gain international insight, strengthen professional networks, share best practices, and engage in constructive discussion on the future of ornamental horticulture worldwide

Horticulture

13 August 2026

The 78th AIPH Annual Congress 2026 will take place from 13th-17th September in Bari, Italy bringing together horticultural professionals from across the world for five days of conferences, professional visits, and international networking.

Organized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), hosted by Italian member Associazione Nazionale Vivaisti Esportatori (ANVE), and supported by headline sponsor Biblo, this is one of the biggest gatherings the ornamental horticulture industry has set for this year.

“The AIPH community is bringing together growers, landscapers, Expo organizers, and city leaders in Bari to explore the future of horticulture and greener cities,” Leonardo Capitanio, AIPH president, said.

Each year, the Congress moves to a different part of the world, giving delegates a chance to engage with local horticulture while participating in an international program of conferences and visits.

The 78th edition will be held in the Puglia region of southern Italy, one of the country’s most productive and well-regarded horticultural zones, making the location itself as much a part of the experience as the program.

This year’s Congress, which is open to all professionals with an interest in the future of the industry, offers delegates the opportunity to experience leading nurseries, production systems, and horticultural businesses personally while exploring developments shaping the future of ornamental horticulture.

The five-day program combines the AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference, the AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference, and a series of professional visits showcasing leading nurseries and production systems across the region.

Together, these events provide a platform for international dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration across the global horticultural industry, alongside discussion of the planning and delivery of International Horticultural Expos.

AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference (14th September)

This conference brings together organizers of AIPH-approved International Horticultural Expos in a dedicated forum to share progress, exchange learning, and engage directly with AIPH leadership.

Confirmed updates cover three major upcoming events: Green Expo 2027 Yokohama in Japan, Expo 2029 Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima) in Thailand, and Expo 2031 Minnesota in the USA.

AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference (15th September)

During the Congress, the growing role of plants in creating greener, healthier, and more resilient cities is expected to be a key focus of the AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference, an event taking place on the 15th September.

International experts are set to explore how ornamental horticulture is responding to the challenges of climate change, technological innovation, and sustainable production.

Bringing together leading experts from academia, business, technology, and urban development, the AIPH Horticultural Industry Conference will provide delegates with the latest thinking, real-world cases, and practical innovations that are helping the industry adapt and thrive.

Structured around four themes – Growing and Greening, Growing Productivity, Growing Sustainably, and Growing Intelligently – the program will explore how the ornamental horticulture industry can create more resilient businesses, support greener cities, strengthen sustainable production, and harness the potential of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.

Professional Nursery Visits (16th to 17th September)

Across two full days, delegates get an opportunity to visit four leading nurseries in the Puglia region. Each of these nurseries offers a window into Italian horticultural production at its best.

The featured nurseries are Vivai Capitanio, Florpagano, Primavita, and Auricchio, and the visits allow delegates to see production systems, plant selection strategies, and commercial operations firsthand, while connecting with peers from around the world in an informal setting.

Registration for the 78th AIPH Annual Congress is now open for all professionals with an interest in the ornamental horticulture industry.

For full details on the program, speakers, and logistics, visit here.