After a supportive vote last month by its members, the Plantscape Institute of America (PIA) will become part of AmericanHort in order to expand the community of interior plantscape professionals and to consolidate programs. Last year the PIA Board of Directors invited AmericanHort to become the home for PIA’s members and its key activities. By doing so, hundreds of plantscape firms and product suppliers are now served by a singular association.
PIA, formally known as the Plantscape Industry Alliance, has a history of mergers that expanded its footprint. Founded in 1990 by the consolidation of four California plantscaping associations, PIA grew into an organization that served professionals in Canada and the United States. The unification with AmericanHort has been in the works since the summer of 2014 when PIA combined its annual Plantscape Industry Expo with the AmericanHort Cultivate’14 event. Earlier this year, AmericanHort enrolled PIA’s members into the association, which began the formal process of merging the two groups.
AmericanHort has for decades offered educational programs, trade shows, and a community for plantscapers in North America. PIA will bring to AmericanHort its annual International Plantscape Awards, respected educational programs, and the prestigious Interior Plantscape Hall of Fame. These will combine with established AmericanHort activities, including the annual Interior Plantscape Symposium, advocating for small business concerns, and representation on the Interior Industry Coalition.
“We are eager to finalize our partnership and officially become part of the AmericanHort community,” said Tim Konig, executive chairman of PIA and owner of European Gardens, a plantscape firm located in Colleyville, Texas. “We have been working with AmericanHort for several years on a variety of programs, and this now culminates our vision of increasing support for plantscape professionals and their firms.”
“AmericanHort is an advocate for the use of living plants in interior landscapes, and we expect this merger will lead to greater opportunities for all firms providing interior products and services,” said Michael V. Geary, president and CEO of AmericanHort. “Among other benefits, joining together provides a louder voice to increase the public awareness of the benefits of live foliage in the interior environment.”
FUTURE INTERIOR PLANTSCAPE COMMUNITY EVENTS
(as of June 19, 2015)
Cultivate'15
July 11-14, 2015
Columbus, Ohio
InteriorPro Series: Plantscape Explanations
August 13, 2015
Whittier, California
NextLevel Business Conference
January 18-20, 2106
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Interior Plantscape Symposium
April 20-21, 2016
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
For more information
AmericanHort


Announcements
Job Offers
- Operational Grower - Strawberries
- Retail Key Account Manager
- Sales Representative Southeastern US
- Bedding and Perennials Sales Manager Europe
- Horticultural Technician
- Agronomist
- Head Grower Strawberries, Norway
- Tissue Culture Laboratory Scientist
- Manager Operations & Logistics
- Vegetable Advisor (Permanent)
"Tweeting Growers"
Top 5 - yesterday
- “Cyclamen young plants travel first class with this new tray”
- Suntory Flowers announces new president
- 200,000 Phalaenopsis cuttings from Sion potted at Bevo Farms in Edmonton, Canada
- The good and bad news for California growers after the rains
- Sensors from Quantified just come in by mail, and at a remarkably low price
Top 5 - last week
Top 5 - last month
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-03-28 Why AgriForce wants to acquire Berry People
- 2023-03-28 NL: Green'05 moves to new headquarters location
- 2023-03-28 UK: Garden Centres offers free seeds in partnership with Let It Grow
- 2023-03-28 PLNTS acquires another company
- 2023-03-27 Danish Ellepot celebrates 30 years in business
- 2023-03-27 NL: Dümmen Orange sells part of De Lier facilities to HouwenPlant
- 2023-03-27 UK: Yorkshire plant nursery hosts senior politicians to discuss industry challenges
- 2023-03-27 Lynch Group mulls China flowers future
- 2023-03-22 US: Master Nursery Garden Centers recognizes top vendors for 2022
- 2023-03-22 Six million trays sold, new models and expansion of the recycling station
- 2023-03-22 Royal Brinkman and Moleaer expand cooperation in Mexico
- 2023-03-21 Cees den Boer, co-founder Svensson Netherlands, passed away
- 2023-03-21 NL: Henda Flowers opens new greenhouse
- 2023-03-20 Rebranded Stolze Mexico expands into North American market as GROWA
- 2023-03-17 Bredefleur Moerkapelle takes over neighbour's greenhouse and expands to 13.5 hectares
- 2023-03-17 AFE introduces their new Friends of Floral Program
- 2023-03-16 Solar panels make up for 50% of the annual energy consumption at DREA
- 2023-03-16 Managing assortment on Floriday improved with supply selections
- 2023-03-16 NL: Stolk G4M Plants introduces Spathiphyllum Jet Diamond
- 2023-03-16 Dutch companies merge