On Monday, March 17, Aad Verduijn gave his last tour of the World Horti Center. Aad, who has worked as a "HortiXpert" for more than seven years, conducted approximately 300 tours of the horticultural sector's knowledge and innovation center during that time. It was a great opportunity for the World Horti Center to talk about his experiences. How does he look back on the past few years? And what moment has stayed with him the most?
How did you get started at World Horti Center?
"During the construction of the World Horti Center, I was already giving tours for my own company, Westland Horti Tours. The owner of Sion, Eric Moor, drew my attention to the possibilities at the World Horti Center and advised me to talk to Mark Zwinkels (then account manager at World Horti Center). Mark was enthusiastic, and one thing led to another. Even before the opening on March 7, 2018, I was already giving tours to the first groups. At that time, there was no basic story, nor were there facts and figures available. I had to be inventive and largely formed my own story during that time."
Approximately how many tours did you give in those seven years?
"I had the opportunity to give about 300 tours. With 2024 being the highlight, with a whopping 85 tours!"
Which tour has stayed with you the most and why?
"That is the tour I gave to Jack Ma, the owner of Alibaba (a Chinese e-commerce multinational). Two days beforehand, I was asked if I wanted to give a tour to a group of five Chinese people. However, I had no idea that I would be giving a tour to Jack Ma, and that the group of five included two of his bodyguards. Only afterward, when the photos were shared on social media, did I understand to whom I had told the story about our sector. My phone exploded with messages."
You bring a lot of knowledge to WHC visitors. What is the most surprising thing you have learned yourself during your tours?
"When I asked a group why they were visiting the World Horti Center and our horticulture sector, 80% of the time they would respond in amazement: 'Mister Aad, that's a strange question. We come here because you are the very best in the world at building greenhouses and growing products in these greenhouses.' What we do here is really special to the outside world; we are at the world's top with flying colors. That remains something to be proud of."
How would you describe World Horti Center in one sentence to people who have never been here?
"You must have been here to learn about cooperation as well as the modern way of growing, in any form, from outdoor cultivation to a vertical farm or greenhouse."
What was the best moment you shared with visitors?
"That's not really one moment, but mainly the enthusiasm I received from a group every time. They shake your hand, want to take a picture with you, and I regularly even received a gift from them afterward. By now, I have a cupboard full of all kinds of mementos."
What will you miss the most?
"I can be brief about that, which is the team at the World Horti Center, with Puck at the helm, who goes for it with full passion and enthusiasm. It was nice to be part of this; there was always time for a chat, and on my birthday, I even received flowers. I really appreciated that."
And what are you going to do with all the extra free time?
"I am going to devote the freed-up time to my family and my wife, Lia, because they certainly haven't always been in first place. In addition, I will, of course, continue to give tours for my own company and devote one day a week passionately to MJ Tech. But if you guys are up for it, you can always give me another call!"
For more information:
World Horti Center 
Europa 1
2672 ZX Naaldwijk
Tel: +310174385600
info@worldhorticenter.nl
www.worldhorticenter.nl