In the past two years, the preparations for GrootGroenPlus 2021 were in full swing. The digital edition of 2020 resulted in a lot of lessons, which helped create this year’s hybrid event. On 6-8 October, the vision became reality: the 31st edition of trade fair GrootGroenPlus, combined with a digital program and expansive participant profiles, including a search engine for the current stock of all participants. This search engine will remain active for a few weeks.
Transit location
As of July, a trade fair setup was chosen that included transits, 1.5-meter distance, one-way traffic, and a food terrace. Even though, just before the trade fair, corona passes made it possible to maintain the old setup of the trade fair, the decision was made to stick with the new plan.
This turned out to be the right decision; approximately 35 to 40% of all those who attended the trade fair cited this 'covid-proof' layout as their reason for going. People are still very careful, and flu season has started. GGP has never taken any risks but made some careful decisions to take more measures than strictly necessary.
Satisfaction
Many participants and visitors have been asked about their experience, and they were all very excited to be able to see each other, to see the living products, to smell the products, to be able to meet clients and drink a cup of coffee with them. The audience felt welcome from the very start, for instance at the (free) parking and the escort to the shuttles. So many visitors were welcomed, that for the first time in five years, the organization considered opening up a second visitor parking, and the ticket registration had to be shut down twice because the maximum number of visitors for that moment was reached.
Warm blanket
As additional security measures, staff, organization, and shuttle drivers were tested daily. Professional businesses were hired to clean the toilets and smooth surfaces, and there were stewards to manage the flow of people. Even though this edition cannot be compared to other editions, it really felt like a warm blanket.
Both visitors and participants were positive and satisfied. Participants were proud to be able to show their products again and tell people about them. The trade fair had 220 participants, with a route of 1 kilometer, which is a little shorter than normal, due to the limited number of square meters and rules for maintaining the flow. There was a technical area, novelties, and award ceremonies for multiple awards, such as the Jan van Dongen and Jac Lodders Awards, the Zunderts Groen Imago Prijs, the Boomfeestdag label, the medals for novelties, and the KVBC Awards.
Hybrid
Many visitors and participants were also active on social media, which caused a great buzz. Of course, there was an online program during this event, which can also be found in the video, photos, and words on the website, the trade fair app, and the web app. The external press tours can be viewed through the YouTube channel.
It was obvious that everyone was happy to see each other again. The number of international visitors was also striking; many countries and languages were represented. Tree growers, architects, garden centers, gardeners, and traders knew how to find their way to the participants.
Thanks
GrootGroenPlus is grateful for the patience and involvement of participants, suppliers, and the press. Without them, it could not have been done.
Now, it is possible to register for Groenbeurs Zundert on 19 and 20 January 2022 and trade fair GrootGroenPlus on 5-7 October 2022, using the registration forms on the websites.
For more information
GrootGroenPlus
info@grootgroenplus.nl
www.grootgroenplus.nl