Landscape Ontario’s Garden Expo hit a home run with record-setting attendance on October 17-18 at the Toronto Congress Centre. “Our concept of one-stop shopping for the trade involved in lawn, garden, floral and outdoor living was a real success,” said Paul Day, show manager.
“There were three shows under one roof, Garden Expo, Florist Expo and The National Hardware Show. Attendees not only saved time and expense, but for the first time they could coordinate all of their buying for the season in the three main areas of their business,” said Day.
This strategy worked well as attendance to The Garden Expo/Florist Expo tradeshow ballooned to 5,637 — almost double what it was the previous year. The aisles at the Toronto Congress Centre were packed during the two days of the tradeshow. Attendance from the U.S. and Canada was also up.
Two distinguished Awards of Excellence were presented by Landscape Ontario during the show. The first was the Consumer’s Choice Garden Centre Award — the voting public gave the award to Canadale Nurseries in St. Thomas. The Judge’s Choice Award for best nursery stock in the growers program went to Willowbrook Nurseries of Fenwick. This award is unique because the selection process is stringent and voted on by industry experts and peers. More than 20 other awards were handed out during the garden centre and growers awards ceremony.
The Garden Expo best booth awards went to ASB Greenworld (up to 200 square feet) and Mori Nurseries (over 200 square feet).
The Garden Centre Symposium, held the day before the show, drew 160 people from across Canada interested increasing their competitiveness through marketing and technology strategies.
As Garden Expo/Florist Expo wraps up, LO show coordinators shift their focus to the upcoming Congress trade show and conference, January 9 -11 at the Toronto Congress Centre. The show covers over seven acres of exhibits. For more information visit www.locongress.com
