International Floral Expo, United Fresh Produce Association call collaborative show a success

Christine Salmon, event manager of the International Floriculture Expo said she saw a renewed sense of energy.

 

“There are always risks associated with a new venue and a new partnership, but exhibitors and visitors are truly excited and impressed with the value of combining produce and floral," Salmon says. "By the end, we were overwhelmed with the positive feedback and renewed 90 percent of space on-site for next year.”

 

The show brings together a targeted group of the industry’s highest-volume floral buyers. Hundreds of companies like 1-800-Flowers, Ahold, Albertson’s, Associated Wholesale Grocers, FTD, Publix, ProFlowers, Wegmans, and Target attend the event to see the latest product innovations, network with existing vendors, meet new suppliers, and to participate in the education program.

 

Exhibiting vendors also expressed enthusiasm over the attendance, which was made up of a total of more than 1,300 total floral professionals.

 

Pieter Landman, world-famous floral designer, emceed the 8th annual Iron Designer Competition. Nine floral designers competed, were given 20 minutes to create a floral design incorporating this year’s theme, A Fusion of Produce and Floral. The theme celebrated the partnership with United Fresh and required the designers to use produce items.

 

Ultimately it was Joe Lesczynski of Phillip’s Flowers who took home the coveted trophy and a cash prize.

 

Next year, the International Floriculture Expo will again take place with United Fresh at the McCormick Place in Chicago. The event will be held June 20-22, 2016. 

 

For more, visit www.floriexpo.com and www.unitedfresh.org.