The machine demonstrations, a newly designed tasting zone, the 62nd German Winegrowers' Congress and the DLG Special: These are the highlights of the accompanying programme of INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA 2016. In addition, visitors can experience the technology trends for wine, juice and special crops, as well as an exciting programme at the Young Professionals' Day. As an official partner country, Italy will promote and encourage the international exchange of knowledge. The trade fair takes place from 27 to 30 November 2016 in Stuttgart.

This year the visitors to INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA can expect a close link between the congress, forums and practice. Numerous innovations can be examined directly in practical application. The machine demonstrations for the cultivation and harvesting of wine and special crops are already promising to be the highlight again of every trade fair visit. This year a separate hall was reserved for the presentations.

Approximately 250 wines are available to sample
The tasting workshops are being extended in 2016 with a tasting zone. Here the content of the exhibition and congresses is linked directly with the quality of the products. Around 250 wines are available to sample. Testers find out how technology defines the quality of the products. The visitors can obtain specific information on current issues in winegrowing and enology. This year there are daily guided tours which give the visitors a better understanding of the topics. The tasting zone is realised in cooperation with all German academies, research institutes and laboratories.

Receive new insights
"Shaping the future in an authentic and innovative manner – Tackling climate change and globalisation" – the 62nd German Winegrowers' Congress takes place under this guiding theme. The event coincides with INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA and is organised by the German Winegrowers' Association (DWV). In a total of six conferences from 28 to 30 November interested parties can obtain information on the latest scientific developments, as well as the experiences from practice and industry. Similar to the exhibition, the conference programme is oriented towards the process chain meaning the entire spectrum is covered from winegrowing to enology through to marketing. Visitors can look forward to prominent speakers such as the long-term Director of the UN Environment Protection Programme (UNEP) Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer (Keynote Speaker at the "Winegrowing" conference) or the Italian oenologist Prof. Dr. Luigi Moio (Keynote Speaker at the "Enology" conference). Interested individuals can still benefit from the early-booker discount up until 30 September (www.dwv-kongress.de).

Gain knowledge during the day, party in the evening: Young Professionals' Day
"Everything must go and must be new or preserve tradition?" Under this motto the Federation of German Rural Youth organises the young winegrowers' congress, which is part of the Young Professionals' Day on 29 November 2016. There keynote speakers focus on the younger generation. The question about how young people of the industry should adapt to the general conditions modified by climate change and globalisation is to the fore. Also on the podium: ARD meteorologist Sven Plöger. The visitors can use the subsequent Young Professionals' Party to network and round off the evening together with other guests.

Wine Lounge "Welcome to the best locations"
Visitors can exchange experiences in the Wine Lounge in a relaxed atmosphere and over a good glass of wine - an ideal platform for intensive discussions between practitioners, scientists and exhibitors. As a supplementary measure, there will also be a small programme of short practical presentations, which are discussed afterwards.

DLG Special "Smart Horticulture"
DLG (German Agricultural Society) dedicates a separate special to the topic of "Smart Horticulture" in Hall 1. State-of-the-art technology for the cultivation of special crops and vegetables outdoors and in greenhouses: The focus is on intelligent solutions from the areas of software and electronics, but also on purely mechanical developments. There are also presentations on the topics of irrigation, sensor technology, robotics and injection cleaning. The DLG was able to acquire renowned experts for every topic. For instance, Prof. Dr. Hans W. Griepentrog from the University of Hohenheim will talk about robotics in the cultivation of special crops.

Drive the industry forward with innovations
During INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA the German Winegrowers' Association together with DLG awards outstanding new and further developments for their contribution towards progress in the wine, fruit juice and special crop industries. The prize is awarded in four categories: cultivation and harvesting technology, processing and process control, filling and packaging technology, and organisation and marketing. The winners are presented with the Innovation Prize in Gold and Silver by an independent international jury. The winners are announced on 13 October 2016 at a press conference. The formal awards ceremony takes place on 27 November 2016 at INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA. Every exhibitor at the trade fair is cordially invited to apply to take part in the 2016 Innovation Prize. Interested parties can find more information online at www.dwv-innovationspreis.de.

Partner country: Italy
In 2016 there is a première at INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA: Italy is the official partner country of this year's event. For many years Italy has been the most important exhibitor country of the trade fair after Germany. In 2013 just under 70 Italian companies were represented in Stuttgart with their products. With this partnership the German Winegrowers' Association and Confagricoltura want to highlight the tried-and-tested and future-oriented cooperation between the two countries in the area of technology for wine, juice and special crops. Common objectives, for example in the European wine policy and agricultural policy, are also discussed within the framework of the congress.

About INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA

INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA is the international technology trade fair for wine, juice and special crops. The main focus of the offer is on cultivation and harvesting technology, processing and process control, filling and packaging technology, and organisation and marketing. The trade fair takes place every two years at the Stuttgart trade fair centre.

The technical supporter for wine is the DWV (German Winegrowers' Association), Bonn. The technical supporter for special crops is the DLG (German Agricultural Society), Frankfurt am Main. In addition, numerous other institutes and associations support various themes and sections of the trade fair, e.g. for fruit, fruit juice and spirits.

The predecessor of INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA was founded by the DWV, and from 1969 the winegrowing exhibition was held under the name INTERVITIS. In 1989 the trade fair was extended to include fruit and fruit juice, and was henceforth known as INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA. In 2014, the DLG, as a leading agricultural organisation and host of agricultural trade fairs and exhibitions, was engaged as technical supporter for special crops. From 27 - 30 November 2016, the trade fair will take place for the first time under the name INTERVITIS INTERFRUCTA HORTITECHNICA.