Climate change, futures research and playing 'the Infinite Game” are among the topics on the agenda for Zespri's Momentum 2020 conference at Mount Maunganui in February.

Expected to attract 400 New Zealand and international delegates, the conference is also a chance for the kiwifruit marketer to focus on its own future.

'Standing Up and Standing Out” is the conference theme and Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson says it is about resetting the industry 'in the midst of a period of real growth and success”.

'We're challenging ourselves to continue to grow and do even better in the years ahead. It means looking at new products and new thinking, while reminding ourselves of the values and principles that have helped us get here today and that will continue to help us reach our goals by working together,” says Dan.

'We'll do that by standing up - demonstrating our leadership by addressing some of the challenges we're seeing today, like helping reduce the use of plastics and looking after our waterways, and by ensuring our industry continues to look after our people, our communities and our environment.

'And we'll also do it by standing out – making sure we continue to innovate so that we stay ahead of our competition and ensure Zespri's brand continues to be recognised as the world's leading provider of premium quality kiwifruit.”

The two-day conference will be held on February 13 and 14 at Trustpower Arena in Mount Maunganui, when a range of international experts will be among the speakers. A number of Zespi customers and exhibitors from around the world, including Japan, China, Korea, Canada, Taiwan, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain will attend.

Among the speakers are J Walker Smith Chief Knowledge Officer of Kantar, a leading global foresights and futures research consultancy which helps clients profit from change.

Will Steffen, Earth System Scientist and Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University, who was a member of the Australian Climate Commission until its dissolution in September 2013, will also address delegates.

Dr Niki Harré, professor of psychology at the University of Auckland, author of the book 'The Infinite Game How to Live Well Together” will lead a session on sustainability pathways.

There will also be Zespri led discussions on the connection between kiwifruit and the brain, how to 'green” the supply chain and managing unwanted biosecurity threats. Discussing the future of the Zespri brand will be Jiunn Shih, Zespri Chief Marketing Officer. Carol Ward, Zespri Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer will lead the brand and marketing sustainably framework launch.

The programme has been designed to enable delegates to attend workshop sessions across a wide-range of topics, and all workshops provide an opportunity for the audience to interact with the speakers and understand more about the industry.

Momentum coincides with the Zespri head office official opening on February 13 and the presentation of the Fresh Carriers Hayward Medal on Thursday February 13, as part of the Momentum Conference and the 2020 Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower competition Gala Dinner and Awards night on Wednesday, February 12.