Conference Schedule at a Glance

Thank you to all our sponsors!

	A Special Thank You!

If you're serious about the future of your business and the industry, then the 56th IFTA Annual conference & Intensive Workshop in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, is the place you need to be February 23 through March 1, 2013.

The overall educational theme for the 2013 Annual Conference is "Technology.” Technology in systems, varieties mechanization, pest management and information management are some of the areas that will be covered. By attending the IFTA Annual Conference, you will gain valuable knowledge, see new and innovative products, learn the latest research and see firsthand how tree fruit growers in the Boston area operate.

Jon Clements is heading up the planning committee for the 2013 annual conference in Boston in February. The Committee is working to bring members another great educational event, filled with presentations by internationally known speakers offering the latest news in rootstock research and much more.

The conference will be held at the Marriott Copley Place in Boston proper where visitors will enjoy easy access to the many historical, cultural, dining and shopping opportunities Boston has to offer. The committee has been utilizing internet technologies such as video conferencing to plan the meeting, where one of the topic streams will include information transfer in today's modern orchards. Many of you have enjoyed the early adoption of internet information transfer that Jon and Win Cowgill developed with the "Virtual Orchard" and "Apple Crop" list serve developed years ago.

Tara Baugher is planning a number of sessions that will focus on orchard automation projects that Penn State, Carnegie Mellon and Washington State University have been developing along with discussions on planting systems, which will most easily be adapted to automation such as "Le Mur Fruitiere," or "the fruiting wall." This planting system has been in development in France, Belgium and elsewhere for a number of years.

Locals claim the long, hot summers and crisp fall days produce some of the best tree fruits you'll ever taste. Massachusetts ranks eighth in the nation for the value of fruit production (including strawberries, blueberries, etc.) at more than $148 million, and most of the orchards are still family owned.

For our out-of-town registrants, the selected hotel for the 2013 IFTA Annual Conference is the Marriott Copley Place. For hotel reservations, please call (617) 236-5800 before January 25.

You'll experience gracious New England hospitality and also enjoy many opportunities to network with other growers and researchers in the industry. We'll see you in Boston, Massachusetts, February 23-March 1, 2013, for the 56th IFTA Annual Conference & Intensive Workshop.

Click here for a preview of what to expect!

Online Registration is Now Closed!

Registration Fees (US $)

• Saturday Intensive Workshop: $195
• Cherry & Peach Pruning Demo (Sunday): $50SOLD OUT*
• Full Conference (Sunday-Wednesday): $450
• Banquet (Tuesday): $55
• Extra Tuesday Field Tour Ticket: $75
• Post Conference Tour (Thursday-Saturday)SOLD OUT*
  • Double Occupancy: $375
  • Single Occupancy: $475

*Please click here to be added to a waiting list for the Cherry & Peach Pruning Demo and the Post Conference Tour.

Conference Registration Cancellation Policy