NOW OPEN: Short Abstract Submission and Early-bird Registration

This programme is tentative and may be adjusted based on the number of abstracts submitted for oral and poster presentations. Session themes and scheduling will be refined accordingly.

Programme Highlights

• Six keynote lectures delivered by leading experts in the field

• A full-day excursion to innovative greenhouse companies

• A guided visit to the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture & Flower Bulbs of Wageningen University & Research, concluding with free food-truck snacks and drinks

• A conference gala dinner at a historic and atmospheric venue

• Student Presentation Awards for outstanding oral and poster contributions

For full details, please scroll down in this Programme section and explore the other tabs on the website. Do not forget to explore the Netherlands, visit our Tourist Attractions section for inspiration.

Day 1: 31 August 2026 (Monday)

8:00 to 9:00 - Arrival and Registration

This hour provides an opportunity to settle in, register, pick up conference materials, and prepare for the start of the first day’s programme.

9:00 to 9:30 - Opening Session

9:00 to 9:10 - Welcome Address by the Convenor

Prof. Dr. Ir. Gerben Messelink, Convenor of the Working Group, will deliver the official welcome address and open the scientific programme.

9:10 to 9:20 - Welcome Address by the IOBC-WPRS Liaison Officer

Dr. Bruno Gobin, IOBC-WPRS Liaison Officer, will extend a warm welcome on behalf of the IOBC-WPRS.

9:20 to 9:30 - Welcome and the Practical Information from the Local Organizers

The local organizing team will provide essential instructions and practical details to help you navigate the conference smoothly, including venue information, session logistics, and important announcements for the coming days.

9:30 to 10:00 - Keynote Lecture - Prof. Dr. Ir. Felix Wäckers

Prof. Dr. Ir. Felix Wäckers will deliver the opening keynote lecture on recent developments in biological control, highlighting current advances, emerging insights, and future directions in the field.

10:00 to 10:30 - Coffee Break

A short break to enjoy coffee, tea, and light refreshments while meeting colleagues and continuing discussions.

10:30 to 12:00 - Session 1 - Latest Developments in Biological Control

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

10:30 to 10:35 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

10:35 to 11:50 - Five presentations, each 15 minutes

11:50 to 12:10 - General Discussion

An open discussion covering all five presentations, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session. The session will conclude with a brief summary delivered by the secretary.

12:10 to 13:10 - Lunch Break

A break to enjoy lunch and continue conversations with colleagues in a relaxed setting.

13:10 to 13:40 - Poster Session 1

An opportunity to walk through the poster displays, discuss the work with the presenters, and exchange ideas. This is the first poster session of the meeting, with additional opportunities to view and discuss posters in the following days.

13:40 to 15:00 - Session 2 - Ecological Interactions in Protected Crops

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

13:40 to 13:45 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

13:45 to 15:00 - Five presentations, each 15 minutes

15:00 to 15:20 - General Discussion

An open discussion covering all five presentations, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session. The session will conclude with a brief summary delivered by the secretary.

15:20 to 15:50 - Coffee and Snacks

A short break with coffee, tea, and a selection of snacks, offering time to relax and continue conversations with colleagues.

15:50 to 17:15 - Session 3 - Biological Control in Ornamental Crops

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

15:50 to 15:55 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

15:55 to 16:25 - Keynote Lecture - Dr. Rose Buitenhuis

Dr. Rose Buitenhuis will present recent developments in biological control in ornamental crops, highlighting current advances, emerging insights, and future directions in this specialised area.

16:25 to 17:05 - Three presentations, each 15 minutes

17:05 to 17:15 - General Discussion

An open discussion covering all three presentations, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session. The session will conclude with a brief summary delivered by the secretary.

17:15 to 17:30 - Closing Remarks and Excursion Announcements

A brief closing session with final remarks and important announcements regarding the excursion.

Day 2: 1 September 2026 (Tuesday)

9:00 to 18:00 - Full Day Excursion

The second day of the meeting is dedicated to a full-day excursion to several leading greenhouse companies, offering participants the opportunity to see innovative production systems, applied biological control strategies, and practical solutions used in commercial protected cropping.

Throughout the day, we will visit a range of companies that represent the diversity and technical advancement of the Dutch greenhouse sector. These visits are designed to provide valuable insights, stimulate discussion, and strengthen the connection between research and practice.

Lunch will be provided as a packed lunch, allowing us to move efficiently between locations.

The excursion will conclude with a visit to the Business Unit Greenhouse Horticulture & Flower Bulbs of Wageningen University & Research, where participants will learn about current research programmes and technological developments.

We will close the day with snacks and drinks served on site, with food trucks offering a selection of freshly prepared hot snacks in a relaxed and informal setting.

This excursion provides an excellent opportunity to experience the Dutch greenhouse industry first-hand, exchange ideas, and enjoy an engaging and enjoyable day together.

Day 3: 2 September 2026 (Wednesday)

9:05 to 9:35- Keynote Lecture - Dr. Jana Collatz

Dr. Jana Collatz will present keynote lecture on Combining Several Strategies for Sustainable Control of the Invasive Tomato Leafminer Phthorimaea absoluta

9:00 to 10:30 - Session 4 - To Be Announced

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

9:00 to 9:05 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

9:35 to 10:20 - Three presentations, each 15 minutes

10:20 to 10:30 - General Discussion

An open discussion covering all three presentations, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session. The session will conclude with a brief summary delivered by the secretary.

10:30 to 11:00 - Coffee Break

A short break to enjoy coffee, tea, and light refreshments while meeting colleagues and continuing discussions.

11:00 to 12:15 - Special Poster Pitch Session

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

11:00 to 11:05 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

11:05 to 12:05 - Twelve poster pitches, each 5 minutes

12:05 to 12:15 - General Discussion and Poster Session Announcement

An open discussion covering all the poster pitches, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session.

12:15 to 13:15 - Lunch Break

A break to enjoy lunch and continue conversations with colleagues in a relaxed setting. During the lunch break, you will also have the opportunity to visit the posters and interact with the presenters.

13:15 to 15:05 - Session 5 - Resilient Production Systems

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

13:15 to 13:20 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

13:20 to 13:50- Keynote Lecture - Prof. Dr. Ir. Erik Poelman

Prof. Erik Poelman will present a keynote lecture on biological control in open-field crops, sharing insights from the CropMix project and discussing how these findings can inform and strengthen biological control strategies in greenhouse systems.

13:50 to 14:50 - Four presentations, each 15 minutes

14:50 to 15:05 - General Discussion

An open discussion covering all four presentations, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session. The session will conclude with a brief summary delivered by the secretary.

15:05 to 15:30 - Coffee and Snacks

A short break with coffee, tea, and a selection of snacks, offering time to relax and continue conversations with colleagues.

15:30 to 16:30 - Session 6 - To Be Announced

Chair: Ada Leman; Secretary: To Be Announced

15:30 to 15:35 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

15:35 to 16:20 - Three presentations, each 15 minutes

16:20 to 16:30 - General Discussion

An open discussion covering all three presentations, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session. The session will conclude with a brief summary delivered by the secretary.

18:00 Onwards - Conference Gala Dinner

Gala Dinner

The conference gala dinner will take place in the beautifully decorated Spiegeltent in Gouda, a unique and atmospheric venue known for its warm lighting, classic wooden interiors, and festive ambiance. This special evening offers an excellent opportunity to unwind, enjoy good food, and connect with colleagues in a relaxed and memorable setting.

Guests will be welcomed with drinks, followed by a carefully prepared dinner served in the elegant surroundings of the Spiegeltent. The combination of its historic charm and colourful design creates a lively and inviting atmosphere, ideal for conversations, networking, and celebrating the conference together.

The gala dinner is included in the registration fee, and all participants are warmly invited to join this highlight of the programme.

Address: De Spiegeltent, Turfmarkt 51, 2801 GW Gouda, The Netherlands

Day 4: 3 September 2026 (Thursday)

9:00 to 10:30 - Session 7 - To Be Announced

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

9:00 to 9:05 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

9:05 to 9:35- Keynote Lecture - Prof. Dr. Ir. Leo Marcelis

Prof. Dr. Ir. Leo Marcelis will present keynote lecture on the latest technological developments in the greenhouse horticulture

9:35 to 10:20 - Three presentations, each 15 minutes

10:20 to 10:30 - General Discussion

An open discussion covering all three presentations, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session. The session will conclude with a brief summary delivered by the secretary.

10:30 to 11:00 - Coffee Break

A short break to enjoy coffee, tea, and light refreshments while meeting colleagues and continuing discussions.

11:00 to 12:30 - Session 8 - To Be Announced

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

11:00 to 11:05 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

11:05 to 12:15 - Five presentations, each 15 minutes

12:15 to 12:30 - General Discussion

An open discussion covering all five presentations, giving the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and address any of the topics presented in the session. The session will conclude with a brief summary delivered by the secretary.

12:30 to 13:30 - Lunch Break

A break to enjoy lunch and continue conversations with colleagues in a relaxed setting. During the lunch break, you will also have the opportunity to visit the posters.

13:30 to 15:00 - Session 9 - Interactive Session with Growers

Chair: To Be Announced; Secretary: To Be Announced

13:30 to 13:35 - Opening Remarks by the Chair

13:35 to 14:05- Keynote Lecture - To Be Announced

14:05 to 14:50 - Three presentations, each 15 minutes

14:50 to 15:30 - Interactive Discussion with Growers

This session brings together growers and conference participants for an open and practical discussion on current challenges, experiences, and solutions in protected crop production. Growers will share insights from daily practice, highlight emerging issues they face in implementing biological control, and reflect on how research outcomes translate into real-world application. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, exchange perspectives, and explore how collaboration between growers, advisors, and researchers can strengthen the development of resilient and sustainable production systems.

15:30 to 16:00 - Coffee and Snacks

A short break with coffee, tea, and a selection of snacks, offering time to relax and continue conversations with colleagues.

16:00 to 17:00 - Award Ceremony and Closing Ceremony

Chair: Prof. Dr. Ir. Gerben Messelink; Secretary: Dr. Bruno Gobin

16:00 to 16:30 - Best Oral and Poster Presentation Awards; Short Speeches by Awardees

16:30 to 17:00 - Vote of Thanks by the Local Organizer, the Convenor Prof. Dr. Ir. Gerben Messelink, and the Liaison Officer Dr. Bruno Gobin

Do not forget to explore the Netherlands — check our suggestions by clicking the button below.

Event Location

Join us at Flora Boskoop, The Netherlands for the IOBC-WPRS Working Group Meeting on Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Temperate Climate

Venue

Hours

9:00 to 18:00

Flora Boskoop, Parklaan 4, 2771 GB, Boskoop, The Netherlands

Free parking spaces are available at the venue.