XI International Peach Symposium
Cultivating Global Innovation in Peach Production and Research
Put the XI International Peach Symposium on your calendar!
July 5-9, 2027
Cultivating Global Innovation in Peach Production and Research
Fort Collins, CO, USA
CSU Lory Student Center
Program of Events
July 5-9, 2027
Main Symposium: July 5-9, 2027
Monday July 5, 2027
- Registration
- Tour at Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building
- Welcome Reception and Keynote at Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building
Tuesday July 6, 2027
- Full Day Sessions at Lory Student Center
- Dinner at a local brewery
Wednesday July 7, 2027
- Full Day Sessions at Lory Student Center
- Tour at Trial Gardens
- Tour at USDA’s Seed and Clonal Germplasm Lab
- Dinner at a local restaurant
Thursday July 8, 2027
- Full Day Sessions at Lory Student Center
- ISHS Business meeting
- Tour at Canvas Stadium
- Gala Dinner at Canvas Stadium
Friday July 9, 2027
- Morning: Technical Tour to Spur Campus and Botanical Gardens at Denver
- Afternoon: Post-Symposium Tour Begins
Optional Post-Symposium Tour: July 9-11, 2027
Friday July 9, 2027
- Travel from Denver to Vail, CO
- Dinner
Saturday July 10, 2027
- Travel to Grand Junction, CO
- Tour at Talbott Farms
- Local Attractions
- Dinner at Local Winery
Sunday July 11, 2027
- Tour at National Monument
- Travel to Denver International Airport
Important Dates
- Super Early Bird Registration – January 1, 2027
- Abstract Submission – February 1, 2027
- Notification of provisional acceptance of abstracts – March 1, 2027
- Early Bird Registration – March 1, 2027
- Presenting author registration – April 1, 2027
- Oral presentations manuscript submission for Acta Horticulturae - July 1, 2027
- Late Registration - July 5, 2027
- Manuscript submission modifications – October 1, 2027
Registration
| Super Early Bird Registration | Early Bird Registration | Late Registration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISHS member | $690 | $750 | $850 |
| Non-ISHS member | $810 | $870 | $970 |
| Student | $340 | $400 | $500 |
| Single day | $250 | $300 | $350 |
| Accompanying person | $200 | $250 | $300 |
| Gala dinner | $70 | $70 | $70 |
* Registration – Open August 1, 2026
* Super Early Bird Registration – Before January 1, 2027
* Early Bird Registration – Before March 1, 2027
Delegate (ISHS Member and Non-Member)
- Official conference program and participant’s package
- Welcome Reception at Nutrien Building (July 5)
- Lunches and mid-session coffee/refreshments breaks during conference
- Excursion [Trip to Spur Campus and Botanical Gardens in Denver including light lunch] (July 9)
- Dinner at a local brewery (July 6)
- Dinner at local restaurant (July 7)
- Online access to the electronic version of the Acta Horticulturae symposium proceedings
Student
- Official conference program and participant’s package
- Welcome Reception at Nutrien Building (July 5)
- Lunches and mid-session coffee/refreshments breaks during conference
- Excursion [Trip to Spur Campus and Botanical Gardens in Denver including light lunch] (July 9)
- Dinner at a local brewery (July 6)
- Dinner at local restaurant (July 7)
- Online access to the electronic version of the Acta Horticulturae symposium proceedings
Single Day
- Official conference program and participant’s package
- Lunch and mid-session coffee/refreshments breaks during conference
- Dinner at a local brewery or restaurant (July 6 or 7)
- Online access to the electronic version of the Acta Horticulturae symposium proceedings
Accompanying Person
- Welcome Reception at Nutrien Building (July 5)
- Lunches and mid-session coffee/refreshments breaks during conference
- Excursion [Trip to Spur Campus and Botanical Gardens in Denver including light lunch] (July 9)
- Dinner at a local brewery (July 6)
- Dinner at local restaurant (July 7)
Post Symposium Tour
- Accommodation at Vail (July 9)
- Accommodation at Grand Junction (July 10)
- Dinner at winery in Grand Junction
- All transportations
ISHS Membership
Check the ISHS membership page for info on ISHS membership and membership benefits page for info on ISHS membership benefits.
Registration Clarifications
Registration will be confirmed after receiving full payment. Those who do not receive a confirmation notice before the congress, are requested to contact the registration secretariat. Only participants who complete their registration will be included in the program. ISHS member needs to provide a valid ISHS membership code.
To be eligible for the student fee (BSc, MSc, PhD students), documentary evidence of the status, such as copy of student ID card or official statement on university or institution is required via email to the registration secretariat.
Cancellation policy: Requests for registration cancellation must be received via e-mail to the registration secretariat. Registration refunds will be processed within 30 days after the end of the Conference and bank charges will be deducted from the refund. Cancellations received on or after March 1st, 2027 will not be refunded, but name change will be available.
Abstract and Acta Horticulturae Manuscript Submission
During submission of the abstracts, one session in the sections below should be selected for each abstract by the authors/presenters. Please add this information to the conveners in the “remarks from the convener” field in the abstract details page.
Sections
Section 1 – Breeding (Germplasm, Rootstocks, Cultivars)
Section 2 – Genetics, Genomics And Biotechnology
Section 3 – Plant Physiology And Abiotic Stress Responses
Section 4 – Plant Pathology And Pest Management
Section 5 – Nutrition, Irrigation
Section 6 – Cultivation Practices (Cropping Systems/Mechanization)
Section 7 – New Technologies (Imaging/Remote Sensing/Data Analytics/Artificial Intelligence)
Section 8 – Postharvest Physiology And Technology/Processing
Section 9 – Economy, Trade And Marketing Policies
Submission Guidelines
- Only abstracts submitted in English will be reviewed.
- Abstracts must not exceed 300 words.
- Abstracts must not contain tables, pictures or graphs.
- All abbreviations must be spelled out on first use.
- Abstracts should be thoroughly checked for spelling and grammar.
- An abstract submission charge is due upon submission of an abstract and applies to the presenting author only. For ISHS Individual members, the abstract submission charge is fully waived.
Those who do not hold a user account with ISHS yet: create an ISHS user account first. After payment and activation of your user account, you can start your abstract submission. - Abstracts must always be submitted by the presenting author, using their own personal ISHS user account. Submitting an abstract on behalf of, or using the ISHS user account of another author is strictly prohibited.
- Abstracts must be submitted by February 1, 2027 for consideration by the Scientific Committee. Authors will be notified of provisional acceptance of abstracts by March 1, 2027 and will also be notified if the abstract has been selected for an oral or poster presentation.
- All oral presenters, including invited and keynote speakers, must submit a manuscript for Acta Horticulturae according to the Acta Horticulturae guidelines by July 1, 2027. (Alternatively, presenters have the option to submit a full scientific manuscript on the topic presented at the symposium, for publication in the ISHS Scientific Journal eJHS in lieu of submitting a manuscript for Acta Horticulturae. Papers submitted in this manner will go through the standard procedures for peer-reviewed journal papers.) Oral presenters who fail to submit a manuscript for publication in Acta Horticulturae or the ISHS Scientific Journal may be refused the floor for making their oral presentation. Authors of posters are strongly encouraged to prepare and submit a manuscript for Acta Horticulturae.
- Presenting authors of abstracts accepted for presentation (both oral/poster) must register for the symposium by April 1, 2027. Failing to register for the symposium will result in your abstract being withdrawn from the symposium program and your manuscript being withdrawn from the Acta Horticulturae symposium proceedings.
- Failing to present (oral/poster) at the symposium will result in your manuscript being withdrawn from the Acta Horticulturae symposium proceedings.
ISHS Young Minds Award
During the ISHS XI International Peach Symposium two ISHS Young Minds Awards for junior scientists will be given:
- one award for the best oral presentation given by a junior scientist who is in the same time the presenter and first author of the submitted manuscript
- one award for the best poster presented by a junior scientist who is first author of the work
All abstracts and manuscripts must be submitted through the ROSA (Responsive Online System for Acta Horticulturae submission and review) link.
ROSA user manual for authors | Acta Horticulturae guidelines
Symposium Committees
Organizing Committee
- Ioannis Minas, convener
- Jeff Pieper
- David Sterle
- Bruce Talbott
- Alison Karen
Scientific Committee
- Alessandro Botton, Italy
- Ariel Vicente, Argentina
- Ayzin Küden, Turkey
- Benedicte Quilot, France
- Bruce Topp, Australia
- Bruno Defilippi, Chile
- Carlos Crisosto, USA
- Carollina Font i Forcada, Spain
- Claudio Bonghi, Italy
- Claudio Bruckner, Brazil
- Cristos Xiloyannis, Italy
- Daniela Giovannini, Italy
- Daniele Bassi, Italy
- Dario Stefanelli, Australia
- David Byrne, USA
- Davide Neri, Italy
- Deltsidis Angelos, USA
- Dragan Nikolić, Serbia
- Florin Stanica, Romania
- Francisco Artés-Hernández, Spain
- Gemma Reig, Spain
- Gemma Eccheveria, Spain
- George Nanos, Greece
- Greg Reighard, USA
- Guglielmo Costa, Italy
- Guido Schnabe, USA
- Henry Duval, France
- Ignasi Iglesias, Spain
- Ioannis Minas, USA
- Jesus Val, Spain
- John Golding, Australia
- Jordi Giné Bordonaba, Spain
- Ksenija Gasic, USA
- Livio Trainoti, Italy
- Luca Corelli Grappadelli, Italy
- Maria Fabiana Drincovich, Argentina
- Maria Jose Aranzana, Spain
- Maria Luisa Badenes, Spain
- Maria Moreno, Spain
- María José Rubio Cabetas, Spain
- Paolo Inglese, Italy
- Pavlina Drogoudi, Greece
- Pere Arus, Spain
- Pietro Tonutti, Italy
- Rodrigo Infante, Chile
- Ruijuan Ma, China
- Sara Serra, USA
- Theodore De Jong, USA
- Thomas Gradziel, USA
- Tiziano Caruso, Italy
- Wiehann Steyn, South Africa
- Yolanda Gogorcena, Spain
- Yuepeng Han, China
Welcome from the Convener
We are pleased to invite you to the XI International Peach Symposium, hosted under the distinguished patronage of Colorado State University and the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). The symposium will take place July 5–9, 2027, in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Colorado has a long and proud tradition of peach production, and its roots trace back more than a century. Palisade peaches have become one of Colorado’s most iconic agricultural industries and are well known for their superior quality across the nation.
Fort Collins is a city that values discovery and innovation. Home to Colorado State University our community thrives on curiosity and forward-thinking research. Blending mountain town charm, our city inspires big ideas. We hope you enjoy our vibrant, historic downtown and stunning natural backdrop while you are here.
We aspire to offer a high-quality scientific program combined with an attractive cultural and social program and an optional 3-day post-symposium tour.
Join us for a global gathering of researchers, innovators, and industry leaders as we explore the latest scientific advances shaping the future of peach production and research.
We look forward to welcoming you in Fort Collins, CO, USA.
– Ioannis Minas, Convener
History of Colorado Peaches
Colorado’s Western Slope has a long and proud tradition of peach production, and its roots trace back more than a century. One of the early pioneers, Colonel Christopher Columbus Bower, arrived in the area known then as “Palisades” in 1894. Shortly after settling in what was called “Poverty Flats,” he planted the region’s first orchard—featuring peaches, pears, and apples—laying the foundation for what would become one of Colorado’s most iconic agricultural industries.
Over time, the town’s name was shortened to Palisade, officially adopted when it was incorporated in 1904. Today, the community remains synonymous with high‑quality peaches, thanks to its unique climate, rich soils, and generations of growers who followed in Bower’s footsteps.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of the West, Palisade Library Collection.
Historical documentation credited to Ms. Priscilla Walker of the Palisade Historical Society.
Host, Accommodation and Travel
Colorado State University
Colorado State University, located in Fort Collins, Colorado, is a leading public research university recognized for its commitment to discovery, innovation, and real-world impact. CSU’s campus in Fort Collins is anchored by the iconic Oval, a historic and welcoming green space that serves as a centerpiece of campus life. Nearby, the Trial Gardens showcase an impressive array of plant varieties and reflect CSU’s strong tradition of agricultural and environmental innovation. CSU fosters interdisciplinary collaboration across fields such as agriculture, engineering, environmental science, veterinary medicine, health, and natural resources. The university is home to world-class modern research facilities, and a vibrant community of faculty, students and scholars dedicated to advancing knowledge and solving pressing global challenges.
Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building
Opened in May 2022, the Nutrien Agricultural Sciences Building at Colorado State University is an 80,000‑square‑foot, state‑of‑the‑art facility dedicated to advancing agricultural research, innovation, and collaboration. It proudly houses the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department—the hosts of the XI International Peach Symposium.
Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado, offers a welcoming and dynamic setting for a scientific conference. Nestled along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the city is known for its scenic beauty, vibrant downtown, and strong connection to innovation, education, and sustainability. Home to Colorado State University, Fort Collins blends a lively academic atmosphere with a friendly community and excellent amenities for visitors. Attendees can enjoy a range of restaurants, cultural attractions, and outdoor recreation opportunities, all within easy reach of the conference venue. Its accessible location, walkable districts, and inspiring mountain views make Fort Collins an ideal place to gather, collaborate, and explore ideas.
Lory Student Center
The Lory Student Center at Colorado State University will serve as the venue for the symposium, offering a welcoming and centrally located space for attendees. Conveniently situated on campus, the LSC provides modern meeting facilities, easy access to dining and services, and a vibrant setting for academic and professional gatherings. Its location and amenities make it an excellent home for a successful symposium experience.
Accommodations
The symposium organizing committee has secured blocks of rooms for the attendees to stay at the Hilton or The Buxton hotels, as both within walking to the CSU campus, and are near a variety of amenities like restaurants, breweries, and more. In addition, a block of newly renovated rooms has been secured for on campus accommodation through CSU Housing & Dining Services. More information about accommodation and booking process will be available soon.
Air Travel
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the closest airport, about an hour south of Fort Collins, Colorado. For transportation from Denver International Airport, visit Transportation | Visit Fort Collins (visitftcollins.com)
Cities and Towns Near Fort Collins
- Cheyenne, Wyoming
Visit Cheyenne: This site offers comprehensive information on attractions, events, and accommodations in Cheyenne, including the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and the High Plains Arboretum. - Boulder, Colorado
Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau: Provides details on things to do, places to stay, and upcoming events in Boulder. - Denver, Colorado
Visit Denver: The official travel and visitor information site for Denver, featuring guides on attractions, restaurants, hotels, and events. - Greeley, Colorado
Visit Greeley: Offers visitor guides, event calendars, and information on attractions and accommodations in Greeley. - Loveland, Colorado
Visit Loveland: Provides details on local attractions, events, dining, and lodging options in Loveland. - Estes Park, Colorado
Visit Estes Park: The official site for Estes Park tourism, featuring information on Rocky Mountain National Park, local attractions, and lodging. - Longmont, Colorado
Visit Longmont: Offers comprehensive guides on attractions, events, dining, and accommodations in Longmont. - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Visit Colorado Springs: The official tourism website for Colorado Springs, featuring guides on attractions like Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and more.
Other Areas to Explore
- The Gardens on Spring Creek: This 18-acre botanical garden features various themed gardens, including a Children’s Garden, Foothills Garden, Prairie Garden, Rock Garden, and several specialty gardens like the Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden and the Moon Garden. It also hosts a Butterfly House with over 300 North American butterflies. For more information, visit The Gardens on Spring Creek.
- Colorado State University Flower Trial Garden: Located at the northeast corner of College Avenue and Lake Street, this garden displays over 1,200 varieties of flowers that are evaluated under Colorado’s extreme climatic conditions. It’s a great place to see vibrant plant species. Details can be found at the CSU Flower Trial Garden.
- Colorado State University Heritage Arboretum: The Heritage arboretum is the main site for woody plant research trials in the region and contains more than 1,100 different plant taxa.
- Denver Botanic Gardens: Features themed gardens like a Japanese garden, South African Steppe garden, and an Alpine rock garden, along with a tropical conservatory.
- Cheyenne Botanic Gardens: Features the Shane Smith Grand Conservatory, Paul Smith Children’s Village, and extensive gardens showcasing numerous plant collections.
- High Plains Arboretum: A historic 62-acre site where hardy trees, shrubs, and flowers were tested for survival in the High Plains’ challenging climate.
- Nix Native Plant Garden: This garden showcases a variety of native plants and provides design and planning tips for incorporating these species into home landscapes. It is located at the Natural Areas Department’s offices on Hoffman Mill Road. More information is available on the City of Fort Collins website.
- Horsetooth Mountain Open Space: While not a traditional garden, this open space offers stunning wildflower hikes, especially around Horsetooth Falls, where you can see beautiful wildflowers in their natural habitat. Learn more at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space.
Technical Tour
Spur Campus
CSU Spur Campus is Colorado State University’s public innovation campus in Denver, designed to connect research, education, and community engagement around pressing global challenges. Located in the heart of the National Western Center, CSU Spur brings together scientists, students, industry partners, and the public to explore solutions in areas such as animal and human health, food systems, water, sustainability, and climate resilience.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver Botanic Gardens is a premier urban garden and living plant research center that showcases diverse plant collections, conservation efforts, and sustainable horticultural practices. It provides an inspiring setting to explore the connection between science, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship.
Downtown Denver
During the tour, symposium delegates will have free time to explore downtown Denver, a vibrant urban center known for its walkable streets, local dining, cultural attractions, and scenic mountain views. This is a great opportunity to experience the city’s lively atmosphere, visit nearby shops or landmarks, and enjoy the final day of symposium activities.
Optional Post-Symposium Tour
Vail, CO
An optional post-symposium tour will extend the experience with a scenic journey to Colorado’s Western Slope, featuring a late-afternoon arrival and overnight stay in Vail. Delegates will have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, experience one of Colorado’s premier mountain destinations, and conclude the symposium with a memorable shared outing.
Grand Junction and Palisade, CO
The second day of the tour will take delegates to Colorado’s Western Slope, with visits to Grand Junction and Palisade to explore the state’s renowned peach industry. Participants will tour commercial peach orchards, packing houses, and wineries, with a featured visit to Talbott Farms, a leading peach grower and packer in the region.
National Monument
On the final day of the tour, delegates will visit a breathtaking national monument known for its dramatic landscapes, scenic overlooks, and striking geologic formations. Highlights may include iconic landmarks such as towering sandstone cliffs, canyon vistas, and winding trails that showcase the natural beauty and unique heritage of Colorado’s Western Slope.
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you would like to present your company to an international clientele, we can offer you the appropriate sponsoring cooperation. Our sponsoring program is separated into the main sponsorship categories: diamond, platinum, golden, silver, bronze and through different A la Carte sponsorship options. Sponsor benefits on such proposals are adjusted to the categories above depending on the size of sponsorship.
Main Sponsorship Categories
| Tier | Diamond | Platinum | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price in USD | $15,000 | $10,000 | $7,000 | $3,500 | $2,000 |
| Complimentary registrations | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Complimentary invitations for the Gala dinner | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Brand promotion in all venue area screens (time allocated based on sponsorship level) | X | X | X | X | X |
| Brand promotion in XI Peach website and social media (number of posts and space in website allocated based on sponsorship level) | X | X | X | X | X |
| Brand promotion in all XI Peach printout materials (e.g., brochures, flyers) | X | X | X | X | X |
| Logo on website with brief description and link to company website | X | X | X | X | X |
| Recognition by XI Peach convenor during opening session | X | X | X | X | X |
| Company promotional material(s) included in XI Peach welcome package | X | X | X | X | |
| XI Peach exhibition booths outside of the session hall (coffee/lunch area only for Diamond) | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Opportunity to showcase products at XI Peach | X | X | X | ||
| Free standing pull up banners inside the venue areas and gala dinner hall (Gala Dinner hall only for Diamond and Platinum) | 3 | 2 | 1 | ||
| Oral presentations | 2 | 1 | |||
| Access to XI Peach attendee list | X | X | |||
| Logo on bag totes | X | X | |||
| Logo on name badges | X | ||||
| Logo on water bottles | X | ||||
| Company promotion during keynote talk at the welcome ceremony (e.g., sponsor video, welcome message) | X |
A la Carte Sponsorships
- Monday Reception at Nutrien $1,000 (1 available)
Help us Cover welcome reception expenses during and get promoted through a free-standing banner and screen promotions - Monday-Thursday Dinner Sponsorship $1,000 (3 available)
Help us cover dinner expenses during the symposium and get promoted through free-standing banners at each dinner location and screen promotions - Friday Denver Tour Sponsorship $1,000 (1 available)
Help us cover the transportation and expenses to go “on the road” to visit CSU Spur Campus and Botanical Gardens in Denver and get promoted through free standing banners at SPUR Campus and screen promotions. - Tuesday-Thursday Lunch Sponsorship $1,000 (3 available)
Help us cover lunch expenses during the symposium and get promoted through free-standing banners at lunch area of the day of sponsorship and screen promotions. - Tuesday-Thursday Breaks Sponsorship $500 (6 available)
Help us cover breaks expenses during the symposium and get promoted through free-standing banners at coffee area of the day of sponsorship and screen promotions.
Payment Terms
20% of total sponsorship amount will be due upon confirmation of your sponsorship. Of the balance owing 30% will be due on January 15, 2027 and the remaining 50% will be due on May 15, 2027. Applications made after March 1, 2027 will be required to pay 100% of total sponsorship amount upon confirmation.
*Sponsorship applications can be submitted through the form below
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