Held October 17 and 18 at the Toronto Congress Centre, Garden Expo celebrated a 13 per cent increase in attendance from last year, with close to 3000 people visiting the 256 exhibitors. The show was 40 per cent larger than last year, and exhibitors expect another increase in floor size for the 2003 show.
Back again in its timely and important timeslot was the LO Awards of Excellence Ceremony for the Growers and Garden Centre program. Held October 18, the beautiful ceremony showcased the best of the two sectors, honouring the top choices in plant material, garden centre merchandising and events. Over 4500 entries from the gardening public voted Vermeer’s Garden Centre & Flower Shop in Welland, ON, as the “Consumers’ Choice” award recipient.
Laguna – Avant, a division of Rolf C. Hagen and Orosz Outdoors Ltd. were also honoured, receiving accolades for their distinctive booths. Vanhof and Blokker Ltd. were presented with an award for best pre-show promotion.
The Italian floral sector had a presence on the floor, as well as through a “Floral Extravaganza,” held October 17. Sponsored by the Sanremo Flower Market, Flowers Canada and Landscape Ontario, Floral Extravaganza introduced Gabriella Lantero, a floral designer from Italy, who captivated the audience as she made magic using flowers imported from the Sanremo area. Floral arrangements were auctioned off at the end of the seminar, as well as at the Awards banquet, with proceeds donated to the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation and the Cecil B. Delworth Foundation, to help advance the horticulture and floriculture industries. Look for another installment of the Floral Extravaganza at Congress 2003.
