Netherlands: Burkhard Holm received the Klaas Schoone Memorial Award

On Wednesday, June 10, orchid specialist Floricultura organised its annual event for its Dutch and foreign business relations. Around 200 visitors watched Burkhard Holm from Germany receive the Klaas Schoone Memorial Award. The jury was faced with a difficult decision as fifteen companies had been nominated. They chose Burkhard Holm because he has made significant contributions to the breeding and propagation of orchids over his 50 years of service. ‘‘A modest man, who has rightly received recognition before,’’ explained jury chairman for the Klaas Schoone Memorial Award, Wim Wooning. As far as this jury is concerned, much more knowledge could be exchanged.

An admiring remark from the Floricultura director, Kees Schoone, who presented the Award, confirmed that Burkhard Holm has been around for a long time. ‘‘When I was just a boy, I would hear his name mentioned.’’ The director presents the biennial Award to honour an important figure in the sector but also to keep alive the memory of Klaas Schoone – a person who liked to share his knowledge. ‘‘I am proud to be able to continue his work,’’ said the current director. The award ceremony was part of an afternoon full of activities during the Floricultura event. One of them that clearly reflected the theme of sharing knowledge was Mr Post's introduction to the new online platform Orchipedia, with a nod to Wikipedia. Orchipedia is meant to be a digital knowledge platform for anyone looking for tips, advice and knowledge about orchids. ‘‘Sharing knowledge is a key factor for individual and mutual success,’’ ascertained Mr Post.

Creating added value
The next speaker, entrepreneur Yoeri van Alteren, described a number of trends to the audience that will determine the future commercial success of this sector. ‘‘It is an art to generate added value and distinctiveness for your product’’ was one of his conclusions. ‘‘Be aware that customers are increasingly willing to pay more for ecologically responsible products. And: realise that the customer is becoming increasingly important in the chain, a trend that is partly due to digitisation and the internet. Seek contact with your customer, focus on local sales markets.’’
Prof. Luuk van de Moorsele also favoured the audience with a humorist's perspective on the future. ‘‘Remember that what is perfectly acceptable today may be totally wrong tomorrow. It is a dynamic world we live in, you have to find your own route through it. Science is evolving, and markets are changing. Stay alert.’’ Those words were certainly not lost on jury chairman Wim Wooning, ‘‘We must dare to exchange more with each other; the sector must progress. That is why I am asking everyone to start thinking about the nominees for 2017, because tomorrow starts today.’’

For more information
Floricultura KSMA
Email: info@floricultura-event.nl
www.floricultura-event.nl