ORLANDO, USA: The momentum was strong at The Landscape Show, held September 25 – 27 at the Orange County Convention Center as 6,982 nursery and landscape professionals gathered to do business together, learn from one another and enhance the professionalism of Florida’s nursery and landscape industry.
More than 400 exhibitors set up eye-appealing and inspiring displays in nearly 800 booth spaces. Dozens of show specials and drawings were offered by exhibitors, as well as industry CEU’s available for attending the show and qualified classes.
Exhibitors enjoyed a 13% increase over last year’s attendance, with “landscape buyers” the category with the largest increase. It’s apparent the demand for plants, trees and related supplies is on the rise and Florida’s nursery and landscape industry is rebounding.
The Landscape Show offered valuable connections, ideas and inspiration from workshops at The Knowledge College to quick take-aways at the Solutions Center; to impressive landscape ideas and innovative products and plants throughout the show.
The Landscape Show’s Opening Session: Politics were in the air and The Landscape Show kicked-off its excitement with a special opening session to help understand the November ballot issues and races. Jim Spratt, FNGLA’s master of politics, peeled back the layers of media and political blitz to get to the crux of the issues. Adding political perspective, Tallahassee insiders Screven Watson (D) and David Johnson (R) added to the conversation. This event was a free session available to all show attendees and was sponsored by Farm Credit. The exhibit hall opened following the session.
The Farm Credit/Ag Institute Candidates’ Forum took place at the show on Thursday, September 25. Nearly 300 members of Florida’s agriculture community came together to hear gubernatorial and Florida cabinet candidates present their platforms on agriculture and to answer questions posed by audience members. After the event, several elected officials toured The Landscape Show floor to interact with exhibitors and show attendees.
The first day ended with the Opening Day Reception. Nearly 700 people mixed and mingled over drinks and appetizers, while enjoying the view of the Hilton’s Outdoor Pavilion.
FNGLA’s Landscape Awards Program winners took center stage as winners were presented their awards. Brownwood Town Center, Phase One, of the Villages was the recipient of the Roy Rood Award, the program’s most prestigious award. Down to Earth, Inc. of Tangerine, FL was recognized as the landscape contractor for this project and Michael Pape & Associates, PA, Ocala, FL was recognized as the landscape architect firm responsible for the design. Brownwood Town Center was also recognized with FNGLA’s Florida Friendly Landscape Award. Access all of the 2014 award winners details.
The Landscape Show’s newest networking event, Tapped In — a fun reception for industry professionals 40 years of age or younger, took place at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Tapped In brought 60 young professionals together to meet, learn from, and share with one another.
Another group of award winners at The Landscape Show were The Landscape Show booth award winners. Winning best of show was Triple O Nursery in Homestead. A total of 17 booth awards were presented. Two awards recognized unique plants. Sunscape Landscape Nursery in Tampa received the award for most unusual plant specimen for a Double Canary Island Date Palm. Agri-Starts, Inc. was recognized by the judges for the Pineapple ‘Sweet Stripes.’