The Asia & Pacific Seed Association (APSA) Presents:
The US Vegetable Seed Industry Study Tour
14 August to 21 August 2016
The United States of America is considered the frontrunner for the global seed trade. They have attained this premier position with sustained efforts in research innovation and technology development in seed science and seed business. The ‘Seed Central’ valley around University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is an important seed industry hub in the USA due to the concentration of leading vegetable seed companies in the area. UC Davis also has always been regarded as an important internationally recognized seed technology research center.
OBJECTIVE:
To allow APSA members the opportunity to experience first-hand recent advances in the vegetable seed industry in the USA.
PROGRAM:
The US Vegetable Seed Industry Study Tour 2016 is being organized by APSA for its members with support from the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).
The tour duration is eight (8) days, which includes two-day travel to and from the USA.
TOUR PROGRAM:
The US Vegetable Seed Industry Study Tour will start and end in San Francisco, California and include visits to major vegetable seed companies, research and development centers and other facilities in and around Salinas and Sacramento valleys in California. Visits to HM Clause, Sakata, Nunhems, Rijk Zwaan, Monsanto (Seminis) and a leading Seed Technology company have been organized and APSA will also visit the Seed Technology Research Center, Seed Biotechnology Centre and Horticulture Innovation Lab at UC Davis.
A ‘Round Table’ with industry is also being organised to discuss important issues.
TOUR FEE:
Member USD$ 2,800.00 per person
Non-Member USD$ 3,250.00 per person
Your tour fee includes the following expenses ‐
Hotel accommodation (3 star hotels) for 7 nights
All meals, international menu (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Local transportation consisting of air conditioned bus for road travel.
Not included ‐
International return flights to USA.
International visas are the responsibility of the participant.
Airport transfers to and from San Francisco for your arrival/departure.
Travel insurance is not supplied by APSA. APSA strongly encourages the participants to purchase travel insurance for the duration of the tour.
Participants are expected to book their own flights to arrive no later than Sunday 14 August and departing Sunday 21 August 2016.
* This costing is based on a minimum of ten (10) participants joining the tour. The APSA Delegation must represent its membership diversity. If the minimum number of participants is not met; the study tour may be cancelled.
Participants are welcome to arrive before the tour date and stay after the tour is over, but all relative costs will be that of the participant. APSA will be in contact with all participants to confirm arrival and departure dates and times. Registration form can be downloaded HERE.
Visas
All participants are expected to arrange their own visas through the relevant US Embassies, Consulates and Visa offices in their respective countries. Participants are advised to obtain a tourist visa, which should be applied for well in advance.
You may also seek Business Visa to visit various seed companies, if necessary.
APSA members wishing to join the Tour should complete this registration form and forward it to Dr. N. K. Dadlani, Director, Technical Affairs, ( dadlani@apsaseed.org). We advise early registration to avoid disappointment.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Deadline for Registration: 30 June 2016
Invoices issued to registered participants: 10 July 2016
Final date for receipt of payments: 20 July 2016
Final date for Cancellations (minus 50% of Tour Fee; after this date refunds will not be issued): 31 July 2016
Participants arrive in San Francisco, USA for the Tour: 14 August 2016