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AIPH Forum hears how International Horticultural Expos benefit city development

Over 100 delegates from cities and horticultural trade organisations from China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, UK, Netherlands, Germany and Sweden attended the first AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers) International Horticultural Exhibition Forum held in China.

Taking place on 30 April, just after the opening ceremony of the 2016 Tangshan International Horticultural Exposition, the forum, organised by AIPH in association with the China Flower Association (CFA) and Tangshan Municipal Government, introduced the benefits of hosting such exhibitions and brought together those that have run such Expos in the past, those already preparing Expos for the future and those considering the potential for their own cities and countries.

Forum chairman and Secretary General of AIPH, Tim Briercliffe, told delegates, “When planned and implemented correctly then International Horticultural Exhibitions are able to bring many benefits to the host city and country and the horticultural industry. They are tools for city development, environmental improvement, improving quality of life, understanding cultural diversity, international communication and developing the horticulture industry.”

Opening speeches from Mr. Ding Xiufeng, Mayor of Tangshan, Ms. Liu Hong, Secretary General of CFA and Bernard Oosterom, President of AIPH emphasised the benefits that have been gained by cities in China, and around the world, from hosting an International Horticultural Exhibition. Mr. Xie Guilin, Deputy Secretary General of Tangshan Municipal Government and Secretary General of the Executive Committee of Expo 2016 Tangshan, showed the importance that the government and citizens of Tangshan have attached to their AIPH-approved A2/B1 category Expo which is open until 16 October 2016.The forum also heard from Mr. Li Fengli, the former Secretary General of the Organising Committee of the 2014 International Horticultural Exposition in Qingdao, China and Mr. Kevin Chung, Chairman of the AIPH Marketing & Exhibitions Committee about the Taipei 2010 Expo in Chinese Taipei. AIPH Expo Consultant, Mr. Sven Stimac, outlined to delegates the success criteria for Expos and how to avoid mistakes and Mr. Li Yangqiu of Doppelmayr Cable Cars outlined the options for utilising cable cars at Expos.

Mr. Lin Lung-chuan reported on progress with the 2018 Taichung World Horticultural Exposition in Chinese Taipei and Mr. Wang Chuncheng reported on progress with the 2019 International Horticultural Exhibition to be held in Beijing, China.

Cities and horticultural trade organisations interested in hosting an International Horticultural Exhibition approved by AIPH can visit www.aiph.org or contact the AIPH Secretary General for further information.

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Rachel Wakefield

Communications Executive and Associate Editor
United Kingdom

rachel.wakefield@aiph.org