The EHC Symposia, from thought to action

The idea and the structure of the EHC Symposia was planned during 2006-2007 by the steering group representing the Horticultural Societies and research centers such as Austria (G. Bedlan), Belgium (M. Bogdson), France (R. Habib), Germany (M. Schenk), Italy (P . Inglese), Netherlands (R. Bogers), Portugal (A. Monteiro), Sweden (R. Larsen), UK (G. Dixon), to foster the relationships between European scientist and research centers devoted to horticultural science. The 1st EHC took place in February 2008 in Vienna (G. Bedlan, convener), where researchers from all over Europe and overseas gathered to discuss the most significant achievements in European horticultural science. The 1st symposium was held under the aegis of ISHS and national and regional European horticultural societies and research institutes such as APH (Portuguese Horticultural Association), DGG (German Society for Horticultural Science), GSHS (Greek Society for Horticultural Science), INRA (Institute National Recherche Agronomique), PSHS (Polish Society for Horticultural Science), IOH (Institute of Horticulture), SECH (Spanish Society for Horticultural Science), BNL-SHS (Benelux Society for Horticultural Science), SOI (Italian Society for Horticultural Science), NJF (Nordic Association of Agricultural Scientists), with the local organization of ALV A (Austria). On the whole, the last four EHC Symposia have been attended by more than 1,800 participants (Vienna: 445, Angers: 483, Chania: 566, Stuttgart: 329) from 63 countries, including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. A total of 275 oral presentations and over 1,000 posters have been presented across four editions. The corpus of knowledge discussed during the first four editions has been analyzed to understand the most important research lines that characterize European research activity.