ESSEN, Germany: International, topical and market-encompassing – IPM ESSEN is the only fair anywhere in the world to present the entire diversity of plants. On January 27 – 30, 2015, the sectoral meeting place will take place at Messe Essen for the 33rd time. Over 1,500 exhibitors will show their portfolios of products and services: from the newest plant breeds via innovative technology and floristry on the highest level right up to equipment for efficient marketing.
The world’s premier horticultural fair will be not only the number-one ordering platform but also a pioneering trendsetter and an important source of impetus for the global green sector. In addition to a comprehensive range available in the exhibition, an excellent fair programme with live floral shows, prize presentation ceremonies and informative forums will await the top-class trade visitors from all continents.
What great significance IPM ESSEN has for the international horticultural sector will be illustrated by the growing number of country participations. The Greece Pavilion will give its premiere in 2015. The Hellenes will show Mediterranean plants and herbs. India will also be represented with a cooperative booth for the first time. The available range will include coconut products for the green sector.
Sri Lanka will come up with two cooperative booths: on the one hand, with suppliers of gardening technology just like last year and, on the other hand, with plant producers as an absolutely new feature. Other national booths will be provided by Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Spain, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Hungary and the USA.
During IPM ESSEN, Hall 1A will once again become the meeting point for experts, organisations and associations. In the Horticultural Info Centre, Zentralverband Gartenbau e. V. (ZVG – “Central Horticultural Association”), Landesverband Gartenbau Rheinland e. V. (“Rhineland State Horticultural Association”) and Landesverband Gartenbau Westfalen-Lippe e. V. (“Westphalia-Lippe State
Horticultural Association”) will provide information about services and available ranges. In 2015, the ZVG Teaching Show will be composed of two main subject areas: On the one hand, attention will focus on substrates and their correct use and, on the other hand, the EU Interreg project entitled “Gezonde Kas” (“Healthy Greenhouse”) will be introduced as an overall system.
In the FDF Event Centre (also in the Green City), Fachverband Deutscher Floristen e. V. – Bundesverband – (FDF – “Trade Association of German Florists – Federal Association”) will show the newest flowery collections and marketing presentations, international floral designers and innovative floristry trends as well as a wide available range of training and further education.
One highlight: the thrilling stage shows. Under the title of “New Life”, Marcel Schulz (Germany’s champion florist), Leonie Gehr (runner-up in the German Florist Championship) and Eva Latsch (third-best in the German Florist Championship in Berlin in 2014) will present springlike flowery ideas from the hands of masters.
IPM ESSEN is well-known for its comprehensive fair programme. In the International Horticultural Forum, experts will examine the horticultural situation in Spain as the partner country and will highlight new market chances. In 2015, the foundation called “Die Grüne Stadt” (“The Green City”) will invite people to the information event entitled “Urban Climatology and Greenery”. Nursery gardeners, landscape gardeners and municipal decision takers will be target groups.
On the Training Day (on January 28), everything will revolve around the promotion of the up-and-coming generation. Together with the “green associations”, Messe Essen will greet pupils from Classes 9 and 10 at general schools. With the motto of “I LOVE GREEN – Experience Green Occupations Live”, they will receive comprehensive information about the occupations of gardeners and florists. With regard to occupations: The Green Careers Wall introduced in 2014 will be continued after its successful premiere. Job offers and jobs wanted will find space here.
The green sector is demanding: The plant as a product must be given a higher status. This relates not only to the prices but also much more to the value attached to gardening products by the ultimate consumer.
For everybody involved in sales, IPM ESSEN will be the ideal platform in order to exchange ideas about effective strategies for emphasising the value of the plant. The demands of the consumers are rising. The breeding and production sectors are being asked to launch new products on to the market. As yet unknown colours and forms or improved location-related properties and disease resistances impart discernible benefits to the customers. With a story behind the plant, the goods are provided with a face. The “Innovation Showcase” and the “Show Your Colours Award” will take account of this. Both marks of distinction will honour new international plant creations as well as woody plants, bushes and shrubs with the most significant value added. On the first day of the fair, a knowledgeable jury will decide the winners of the “Innovation Showcase” in the following categories: “Flowering and Green House Plants”, “Spring-Flowering Plants”, “Bedding and Balcony Plants”, “Cut Flowers”, “Bushes and Shrubs”, “Woody Plants” as well as “Tub Plants”. All the innovations will be exhibited throughout the period of the fair. Not only the judgement of the jury but also the votes of the visitors will count in the case of the “Show Your Colours Award”. The visitors will be able to cast their votes on the first three days of the fair before the prizes are presented on Thursday, January 29.
It is necessary to raise the value perceived by the consumer. The visitors will receive fresh ideas for efficient goods presentation not only on the extravagantly designed fair booths. The special show staged by Bloom’s and the G&V Creative Centre in Hall 1A will be dedicated to this subject and will give suggestions.
For more details visit www.ipm-essen.de