Nearly 9,000 people from more than 25 countries gathered in Columbus, Ohio, earlier this month for the OFA Short Course, horticulture’s premier convention and marketplace.
“Horticulture professionals from across the world know that the OFA Short Course is the place to get business solutions to keep their business competitive and profitable,” said Michael V. Geary, CAE, OFA’s Chief Executive Officer. “ In spite of the poor spring weather in numerous areas of the United States, the challenging economic conditions, and the event being organized during the week of a national holiday, participation held strong and was consistent with last year,” said Geary.
The OFA Short Course featured 130 educational sessions, workshops, tours, learning labs, and numerous entertainment and social events for growers, garden center retailers, interior plantscapers, florists, and emerging professionals. An expanded focus this year was the Garden Center Live! area, which featured an interactive marketing lab, merchandising displays, and a merchandising contest.
The sold-out exhibition, the largest all-industry horticulture trade show in the United States, connected buyers and sellers, showcased the latest in equipment and plant material, and provided a global perspective on horticulture.
“The OFA Short Course is where the industry meets,” said OFA’s new President, Mike McCabe of McCabe’s Greenhouse & Floral in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. “Just look at who comes to the event each year. It doesn’t matter what size your company is or what part of the world you’re from. There’s always something new, and that’s why I’ve been coming for more than 35 years,” said McCabe.
Members and leaders from other trade associations were in attendance as OFA continues to bring together the industry for networking, partnership, and collaboration.
The next Short Course will take place on July 14-17, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio USA.
About the organization: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals is the leading horticulture educational association in the United States. It is a non-profit, all-industry, educational organization and its core purpose/mission is “to support and advance professional horticulture.” Industry segments served include: garden centers, greenhouses, nurseries, retail and wholesale florists, and interior plantscapers. OFA is especially known for its outstanding publications and its annual OFA Short Course, U.S. horticulture’s premier convention and marketplace.
Source: OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals