January 26-29, Messe Essen
IPM ESSEN features international joint booths
All the market leaders have confirmed their participation in the world's largest and leading trading and information platform for the green industry. With about 105,000 square metres of exhibition space, the world's leading trade fair IPM ESSEN will once again occupy the entire Messe Essen exhibition centre. And the fair, which is under the auspices of Federal Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt, can hardly be surpassed in international participation.
New national exhibition booths
A total of 20 countries have organised one or even several community booths at the IPM ESSEN – in all areas. Guatemala is a new participant exhibiting cut flowers, potted plants and perennials. China, France, the United Kingdom, India and Taiwan have expanded their booths. And there are additional national booths from Belgium, Costa Rica, Denmark, the Netherlands, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Turkey, Hungary and the United States.
Belgium
Around 40 Flemish companies are participating in the Belgian joint exhibition, which includes three stands again in Halls 2 and 12. In Hall 2, the focus is on ornamental plants, laurels, azaleas, rhododendrons and young plants. In addition, there are local businesses specialising in young house plants, chrysanthemums, garden plants and perennials. The six companies in Hall 12 are displaying trees, woodland and hedge plants, roses and ornamental bushes. Flemish exhibitors have been well represented at the trade fair with a joint booth since the first IPM ESSEN.
(Hall 2, booth 2B25 and 2D30; Hall 12, booth 12C15)
China
The Chinese joint booth is organised by China Great Wall Exhibition. Compared to 2015, visitors can expect far more offerings: The size has doubled and exhibitors have significantly more opportunities to present their extensive range of plants, seeds, flower pots and much more. For participants in the joint Chinese booth, the world's leading trade fair for horticulture is a good opportunity to have discussions with customers, develop business contacts and deepen long-term cooperation.
(Hall 7, booth 7A09)
Costa Rica
Ornamental plants such as dragon trees, aglaonema, palms, ferns, crotons and ficus will be at the centre in a 50-square-metre booth with ten companies. For exhibitors, the fair is an important platform to attract new customers and maintain existing business contacts. The exhibition will take place under the “esencial Costa Rica” brand and offer a glimpse into the country’s exotic and varied plants. Costa Rica has great natural biodiversity and offers a lot of high-quality exotic products.
(Hall 1, booth 1B17)
Denmark
Around 50 exhibitors are showcasing the entire diverse spectrum of potted plants from their country in the Danish joint exhibit. Breeders, producers and distributors are presenting ornamental plants, room and garden plants and plant concepts. The trend here is toward functional and practical solutions. Special new products will be presented in their own booth.
(Hall 5, booth 5A17)
France
The French joint exhibition includes three booths with a total of 20 exhibitors, including four new exhibitors. They are bringing a variety of novelties to the IPM ESSEN 2016 including photinia, witch hazel, sweet mini peppers and cucumbers for the terrace, cyclamen and dahlias. The breeders see white cyclamen in all sizes as well as dwarf dahlias as trends. The French joint exhibition will be organised by the Val’hor Horticulture Organisation with support from the Vegepolys innovation cluster and the SPPL Agency.
(Hall 2, booth 2B17; Hall 10, booth 11B11; Hall 10, booth 10B14)
United Kingdom
The British joint exhibition offers more exhibitors, new varieties and innovative technologies. Under the umbrella of the Commercial Horticultural Association, companies are presenting their products at a total of three booths. Among them are many first-time exhibitors who are bringing new products to Essen – including new carnation varieties, clematis for small gardens and planting bags for tree breeders. They are also presenting solutions for greenhouse construction, heating and air circulation. As the partner country of the International Horticulture Forum, British experts will also discuss challenges and opportunities in the horticulture industry in the United Kingdom.
(Hall 10, booth 10C13 and 10C17; Hall 3, booth 3B37)
Guatemala
Guatemalan exhibitors are keeping their joint booth very close to nature and emphasising the beauty of their plants and flowers. Thanks to varied and special climates, the country grows about 500 plant species and around 3,000 native plants as well as many others, which are exported in a variety of forms. Ten or so companies from all over Guatemala are presenting tropical plants, palms, bromeliads, cut flowers and cut foliage among other things. New products include succulents and large beaucarnea.
(Hall 1, booth 1C37)
India
The Indian joint booth is operated by the State Coconut Association "Coir Board". Exhibitors are offering information about products made from coconut fibres.
(Hall 3, booth 3A17)
Italy
Around 100 exhibitors from Italy will be represented at the IPM ESSEN 2016. The focal point, as in previous years, is Hall 6, the "Italian Hall", where primarily nurseries from all regions of Italy are presenting their products. There will be Mediterranean plants and trees in all sizes. A great deal of nurseries are from southern Italy in particular. The Italian Hall is rounded out with pots and decorative terra-cotta goods.
Other Italian companies are presenting the latest developments in greenhouse construction and agricultural technology in the technology area in Halls 3, 7 and 8 Visitors can find young plants "made in Italy” in Hall 2.
(Hall 6)
Netherlands
Flora Holland and BIZZ Holland are organising both Dutch booths. Under the auspices of BIZZ Holland, companies from Boskoop, Opheusden, Venlo and Zundert among others are exhibiting the latest decorative hedges, water plants and street trees. The plants submitted for the Show Your Colours Award 2016, which is organised by BIZZ Holland together with Messe Essen, are prominently displayed at the entrance of Hall 12 and the BIZZ Holland booth.
(Flora Holland: Hall 1, booth 1B10; BIZZ Holland: Hall 12, booth 12A13/12A22)
Poland
There is strong participation again by Polish companies at the IPM ESSEN. 19 companies are exhibiting at the joint booth, which is organized by the Polish Nursery Association and the Agencja Promocji Zieleni. Exhibitors are displaying a large variety of plants – trees cultivated in fields or grown in containers, bushes, perennials, vines and fruit plants of different sizes. Poland's transitional climate is ideal for the production of hardy plants. Polish producers export their plants to several European countries as well as many distant countries such as the United States and Japan.
(Hall 9.0, booth 9A55 and 9B42)
Portugal
Four companies are participating in the Portuguese joint booth. All of them have their production locations on the Algarve in the south of the country. The range offered by the exhibitors includes, amongst other items, dipladenias, laurels, hibiscuses, lawns, callistemons as well as a wide diversity of Mediterranean shrubs and climbing plants.
(Hall 9.0, booth 9B61)
Spain
The Spanish joint booth occupies over 1,100 square metres, where 34 member companies are exhibiting their products under the umbrella of the FEPEX (Spanish Federation of Associations of Exporting Producers of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Plants). They come from the regions of Valencia, Catalonia, Galicia, Andalusia and the Canary Islands and specialise in the production and export of ornamental plants. All exhibitors use a system for ensuring the quality production of flowers and ornamental plants – including PPQS (Plant Production Quality System).
(Hall 9, booth 9A17)
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Coconut Development Authority organised the joint booth. Various products made of coconut fibre for the green industry can be found here.
(Hall 8.0, booth 8B13)
Taiwan
The main role at the joint booth for Taiwan is played by plants, blooming potted flowers, miniature orchids and fresh-cut flowers. Visitors can also expect oncidium orchids, which are typical for the area and are one of Taiwan's greatest floral exports. The booth where member companies are exhibiting their floral products is organised by the Taiwan Floriculture Exports Association.
(Hall 1.0, booth 1B36)
Turkey
The Ornamental Plant Growers Association SÜSBIR is participating in the IPM ESSEN for the first time. It represents some 400 members and is the only organisation with public institutional status, representing the ornamental plant growers in Turkey. Ornamental plants and ornamental plant growers will be presented at the fair.
(Hall 8, booth 8B45)
USA
The Southern U. S. Trade Association (SUSTA) supports plants producers from southern states participating in trade fairs. In 2016, the booth will be fully occupied again with companies from Florida, California, Puerto Rico, Louisiana and Tennessee.
(Hall 2, booth 2A31)
There are also additional joint exhibitions from Israel (Hall 2, booth 2B15), Portugal (Hall 9.0, booth 9B61), South Korea (Hall 3.0, booth 3E74) and Hungary (Hall 10, booth 10D10 and 10D11).
Fair trade: an important issue for the green industry
Fair trade products are becoming increasingly important for sales. Awareness is growing among end users. After coffee, the second most popular fair trade product in Germany is cut flowers. According to the latest annual report by TransFair, sales reached more than 118 million euros in 2014 and continue to rise. So fair trade, certification options and the various associated labels are playing an increasingly important role at the IPM ESSEN 2016. A compact presentation space is planned for exhibitors whose products have already been certified with a fair trade seal. How does fair trade work? What does fair trade mean? What are the standards? These questions and others are answered for visitors and exhibitors at an accompanying information and discussion forum.
The Internationales Gartenbauforum (International Horticulture Forum) and DIE GRÜNE STADT (THE GREEN CITY)
Some highlights of the extensive programme of presentations are already set. Great Britain is the partner country of the International Horticulture Forum on 28 January 2016. In cooperation with INDEGA – Interessenvertretung der deutschen Industrie für den Gartenbau e. V. (Association for the Representation of the Interests of the German Horticulture Industry) and the Verlag Eugen Ulmer (Eugen Ulmer Publishing House), experts will be discussing the opportunities and challenges associated with gardening in the UK. Sue Biggs, Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society, will emphasise the importance of the United Kingdom as a partner country. She will visit the IPM ESSEN 2016 and give a short welcoming speech during the opening ceremony.
On Wednesday, 27 January 2016, THE GREEN CITY foundation will host an information forum especially for urban planners, arboriculturalists, garden and landscape architects and municipal policy makers. The theme for 2016 is the green future – cities need new product choices.
Platform for award ceremonies
The IPM ESSEN is traditionally the place where the latest varieties of plants and creations, as well as innovative technology, are first presented and given awards. Now another prestigious award ceremony is joining the Neuheitenschaufenster (“New Product Showcase”), Show Your Colours Award and the INDEGA-IPM Innovation Award: For the first time, the AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers) is handing out the “International Grower of the Year Awards” at Messe Essen. Plant breeders from all around the world are honoured for their outstanding achievements in the categories of finished products, young plants and cut flowers.
Green City meeting point
Hall 1A is being transformed into the Green City during the IPM ESSEN. Green industry experts, organisations and associations will meet here. The Zentralverband Gartenbau e. V. (ZVG) (Central Horticultural Association) as well as the Landesverbände Gartenbau Rheinland und Westfalen-Lippe e. V. (Rhineland and Westphalia-Lippe Federal State Horticultural Associations) will discuss their services and offerings at the Information Centre. The 2016 ZVG presentation will be “Gesunde Zierpflanzen – eine Herausforderung an Produktion und Handel!?” (Healthy Ornamental Plants: A Challenge for Production and Trade!?)
Floristry at the highest level
In the Green City in the FDF Florist Event Centre, top international floristry is on the programme. The Fachverband deutscher Floristen e. V. – Bundesverband (Trade Association of German Florists – Federal Association) (FDF) stage shows will put the stars of the scene in the spotlight. Marcel Schulz, German Master Florist and German participant in the Europa-Cup 2016, Mehmet Yilmaz, who started for Turkey in the World Cup for Florists in Berlin, and Elisabeth Schoenemann, 2010 Runner-up for Florists, State Prize Winner and Regional Master in North RhineWestphalia will be showing new best-selling floral arrangements. The "Floral Design" Group from North Rhine-Westphalia will present planted, arranged and potted spring flowers. At the Teachers of Floristry show, international teachers will provide insights into their teaching philosophy. The stage show will be moderated by Gregor Lersch and Brigitte Heinrichs. The FDF will bring Korean top floristry to the IPM ESSEN 2016. Oh Myeon, master florist and Director of the Floral Art School in Seoul, Lim Kyoungtaek, and Kim Hyang Hak will delight visitors with flower styles made in Korea. The FDF will address the topics of future, vision and innovation in its 2016 presentations and informational offerings. Floral inspiration and new ideas for the successful positioning of the floral industry will be addressed in individual units on the topics of FDF Education, FDF Projects. 16, FDF Partner, FDF Future Lab and FDF Cloud.
New ideas for point of sale
The IPM ESSEN 2016 is presenting inspiring and innovative point-of-sale solutions at two exhibition spaces in the Green City in Hall 1A. At the BLOOM's Special Show and g&v CreativCenter, trade visitors will find fresh ideas for product presentation. Strong marketing concepts can be seen for both classic as well as newer, trendy floristry.
Green Careers
The next generation of floristry professionals is a big issue at the IPM ESSEN. Pupils from grades 8 to 10 can experience green occupations first hand during the Training Day.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy will be supporting a joint booth for young innovative companies again. And participating start-ups will have the exclusive opportunity to present their products for the first time to the world – at reasonable booth prices. In 2016, there is a greater need for exhibition space expected than in 2015.
The Green Careers Wall in Hall 4A offers the opportunity again this year for exhibitors to advertise job vacancies and visitors to post their interest in positions. The job exchange is offered in cooperation with the Verlag Eugen Ulmer (Eugen Ulmer Publishing House). This year, there will be "speed dating", where exhibiting companies introduce themselves to potential employees in personal conversations.
For more information:
www.ipm-essen.de