TORONTO, Ont. — Identifying emerging trends and showcasing the next big thing for home gardens is a large reason why EXPO, Landscape Ontario’s garden and floral industry trade show, is the premier show of its kind in North America.
EXPO 2012 is the ideal forum for garden centre retailers, florists, interior plantscape and landscape designers to see what consumers will be looking for in the spring. According to Landscape Ontario’s garden sector group and Flowers Canada Retail the hot trend heading into 2013 continues to be container gardening.
Show visitors won’t want to miss having their creativity sparked by container demonstrations taking place daily in the Destination Inspiration Theatre.
Demonstration Topic: URN YOUR PROFITS
Hosted by: Neville MacKay
Sponsored by: Flowers Canada Retail, Mex-Y-Can, Smithers-Oasis North America and Waterdale
Dates & Times: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 and Thursday, October 18, 2012
11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Destination Inspiration Theatre, Expo 2012
Admission Fee: Free with trade show registration
Program Highlights: Join the excitement as Neville Mackay directs two designers as they go head-to-head to arrange beautiful seasonal urns — one a container arrangement, the other fresh cut florals.
Demonstration Topic: CONTAIN-ER YOUR TROPICALS
Presented by: Jill Jensen, Jill Jensen Botanicals and Sue Blaney, Lechuza Canada
Dates & Times: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 and Thursday, October 18, 2012
2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Destination Inspiration Theatre, Expo 2012
Admission Fee: Free with trade show registration
Program Highlights: Watch the experts show you how container and plant combinations can enhance and increase the value of your plant installation with stylish and innovative ideas.
“Our vendors and leading industry buyers have seen consistent growth in the popularity of container gardening, and that is expected to remain strong through the fall, into the Christmas season and through to next spring,” says Heather MacRae, director of events and trade shows with Landscape Ontario. “Containers allow people to make a garden in practically any space they have available. Containers can be used to design stunning floral arrangements, provide dramatic displays of floral and ornamental plants, including fruits, vegetables and herbs.”
Profits for retailers and florists can be increased with indoor and outdoor containers that satisfy their customers’ desire for instant and abundant gardens, and they are ideal for enhancing home interiors, patios and balconies. Garden centres and florists, stocked with colourful containers designed to complement traditional gardens, can inspire customers to expand their growing space and beautify indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Landscape professionals from across Ontario participated in the Celebrate Yonge’s Live Green Planter Box Challenge. Showcased in Toronto at Yonge-Dundas Streets, from August through mid-September, this contest illustrated the appeal of container gardening with a variety of themes and creative designs.
“Container gardening appeals to gardeners of all skill levels,” says MacRae. “Many retailers are selling container gardens that are already put together, making it easy for customers new to gardening. Skilled gardeners, who prefer to build their own container gardens, will find garden centres well stocked with new varieties on display at Expo 2012. Retailers who want to profit from this hot industry trend are invited to attend Expo 2012. Plus, they’re welcome to participate in the free container demonstrations that are included with their trade show registration.”
EXPO 2012 opens October 17th at the Toronto Congress Centre, North Building, and closes the following day.
Source: Landscape Ontario