In three weeks, the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York will open its doors for World Floral Expo. The show will be held from March 25-27, where buyers can meet international growers from the main flower producing countries in the world. It is one of the few pure flower exhibitions of this type in the country, and has been organized annually by HPP Exhibitions in different states since 1999.
Last year's edition in Dallas (TX). Click here for the report and pictures.
A pure flower exhibition
World Floral Expo is a relatively small show, when comparing it with all other exhibitions HPP organizes, but over the years it has become a well established one. "Since 1999, we've been organizing this show. It is a pure flower exhibition where flower growers meet all kinds of buyers, from small florists to large retailers. Flowers are the focus of the show, no side events. For three days, from 10am-4pm around a.o. 70 growers (exhibitors) have the chance to meet the buyers, which are often around 400-500 US and Canadian flower buyers."
Every year another state
Every year, the show is organized in a different state. Last year, it was held in Dallas (TX) and this year again in New York City (NY), a place they try to return to every five years. "When organizing the show for the first time, we quickly noticed that it attracted buyers from the region (a 500 km diameter). The reactions on the show were very positive and we therefore decided to go and organize it in another state. In all the different states we have organized it, we got the same positive reaction and the show resulted in a sort of traveling circus", he laughs.
The first show was held in New York and every five years, they try to come back to this spot. "It is important to be present in New York as it is an important market. It is always a great show and we see that, in this city, more from other parts of the country are attending. It is a great place to combine work and pleasure - after show hours many go downtown shopping and enjoying the city."
International character
The exhibition has gained a very international character when it comes to the exhibitors. Currently, growers from all large flower producing countries Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Netherlands, but also Mexico and Peru, are present to promote their flowers.
What about the coronavirus?
The exhibition is already taking place in three weeks and when talking about events, one of the questions that pop up into many minds is, what about the coronavirus? Over the last month, several exhibitions postponed or were forced to postpone their shows due to the outbreak and diffusion of the virus in their country. Also in the US, there are cases of the coronavirus; will this have an influence on the continuation of the show? According to organizer Dick van Raamsdonk of HPP Exhibitions, it has not. "Of course, as an organizer of the show, we have to evaluate the situation. In the US, several events are being cancelled, but also a lot are continuing. This is combined with the fact that the exhibitors and visitors are still eager to come - we only have had 1 cancellation of an exhibitor, due to the corporate measures taken by his company. We do have several companies and exhibitors asking us if the show will continue, but that's logical in such a situation. It is getting huge media coverage. Companies in New York are in business and I think everything will stay in business. Above all, it's everyone's own decision to come to the show."
2020 edition - satisfied so far
Van Raamsdonk is pleased with the 2020 edition so far. "We always have to await the results of Valentine's Day. And this year, particularly for the South American growers, it has been a fairly good year. Therefore, the number of exhibitors is more or less similar to last year. The exhibitors, however, vary per year. We have several returning exhibitors, but we also see many new faces this year."
For more information 
World Floral Expo
Dick van Raamsdonk
Email: dick@hpp.nl
www.worldfloralexpo.com