The 33^rd edition of the Mushroom Days has passed off very successfully.

Exhibitors

83 exhibitors, including 24 foreign exhibitors, presented to the visitors their latest developments, products and services during this unique international exhibition. This year there were also companies from the USA, China and South-Korea.

Visitors

Over 2,200 visitors from 62 countries  visited the Mushroom Days. They were welcomed by more than 475 people at all stands. Over 2.600 industry professionals were gathered together at the Brabanthallen in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. We can conclude it was a very successful international exhibition for the mushroom industry.

The Ambassador of the Mushroom Industry Award

For the first time The Mushroom Days Foundation introduced The Ambassador of the Mushroom Industry Award.  This award was presented during the Welcome Event at the Mushroom Days 2013. The Mushroom  Days Foundation wants to reward special people in recognition of their immense services to the sector by presenting the ‘Ambassador of the Mushrooms Industry Award’.

The aims for this Award are:

·         to publicly recognize those who have made immense efforts to benefit the mushroom industry;                                                                                                     

·         to encourage commitment towards the mushroom industry;                                       

·         and to make a positive contribution to the image of the mushroom industry.

The call to the industry for nominations was very successful. People came up with a good number of excellent candidates and the organization would like to thank everybody for their response and empathy for this initiative.                                                                                                 

The selection of these first class candidates obliged them to choose more than only one winner. The board was unanimous in choosing three winners this year. Each of them in their own way, all three individuals have proven to be true Ambassadors of the Mushroom Industry. With their passion, skills, dedication, commitment and enthusiasm, they served the Mushroom Industry and challenged and inspired many of us, and lots of others, for Mushrooms.  For sure the Mushroom Industry would have looked differently if they had not been involved in it.

The first winner of The Ambassador of the Mushroom Industry Award was manager of the most famous and undoubtedly most visited mushroom farm in the world. He taught everyone far and wide how to grow Mushrooms; Mr. Roel Seubring.

The next winner of the award had a great idea, back in 1984, and he turned it into a very successful, valuable, yearly event ever since. Each time it highlights the endless possibilities chefs create with mushrooms. The founder and driving force of the cooking contest  ‘De Zilveren Champignon’ Chef Mr. Peter Zandboer.

The third winner of The Ambassador of the Mushroom Industry Award 2013 is a pearl within the industry. On many different occasions his various qualities have brightened up events. He is known to be one of the finest Dutch mushroom growers and highly respected by his colleagues. Thanks to him, millions of consumers were able to see fresh mushrooms grow, every day, for six months, during ‘De Floriade’ last year: Mr. Wout van Lieshout.

"Mushrooms, a healthy business!"

During the Welcome Event, Dr. van Griensven gave an inspiring presentation with the  theme "Mushrooms, a Healthy Business!"  Dr. Leo van Griensven is a well known and respected researcher within the Mushroom Industry.

The evening ended with a delicious buffet for all the exhibitors and visitors.