How to enter
The procedure to enter the AIPH International Grower of the Year is designed to be simple and not time-consuming. All you need to do is fill in the online submission form online.
This is your application form. Submissions must be completed in ENGLISH* (Although arrangements can be made to allow you to fill in the form in your native language, the application will then need to be translated into English by a professional translation company. The applicant will carry this cost.)
AIPH is offering to IGOTY 2026 entrants assistance to help in completing the entry form. AIPH will introduce you to an interviewer who will conduct an interview with you and prepare a draft entry. The draft entry will be sent to you for you to check and amend as you prefer. It is your responsibility to submit the application online. If you prefer you can complete the application by yourself.
Please restrict your answer to each question to a maximum of 300 words.
You may provide supporting documentation with your submission; these are not compulsory for submission however they can strengthen your application. For example: photographs, videos, press cuttings, promotional materials, procedural documents, certificates for environmental or working standards etc., in ENGLISH*
- A high resolution copy of the company logo in PDF and JPG formats.
- Photographs: a maximum of 10 high resolution photographs may be submitted.
We encourage you to submit photographs of:- The company workforce and any key personnel
- The headquarters of the company and the working environment
- Photos that demonstrate your high standards
- Any other photos you feel would strengthen your entry
- Videos: a maximum of five high quality videos may be submitted. We recommend sending one video which is no longer than 1 minute long, if you have this available. If not, feel free to send your existing company video.
Once you have completed the compulsory questions, you will be asked if you have been nominated, or if you are applying directly.
*If English is not your native language and you are not fluent, we would advise completing your entry in your native language and paying a fee for a professional translation service. This will ensure your entry remains accurate and that the information provided comes across clearly to the judges. If you have any questions, please contact events@aiph.org.
Key Dates
8th August 2025: Deadline to submit an entry. Late submissions require special permission
September 2025: Additional information may be requested by the jury
End of September 2025: Final judging takes place
November 2025: Announcement of finalists, date and venue for Reception and Awards ceremony
12th January 2026: Ticket bookings close
Awards Categories
The awards comprise four categories. Entrants can submit their company into multiple categories.
- Finished Plants and Trees: Growers of plants and trees that are ready for final sale.
- Young Plants: Growers of cuttings, plugs, liners, seedlings, etc, which are sold for growing on.
- Cut Flowers and Bulbs: Producers of flowers and foliage which are cut for indoor decorative use and bulbs.
- Sustainability: All award entrants will be invited to put their business forward for the AIPH Sustainability Award. The award will recognise best practice and innovation in improving sustainability in areas including water use, chemical use, climate change, energy use, transportation, labour management and social standards.
- Gold Rose: From among ‘Finished Plants & Trees’, ‘Young Plants’, and ‘Cut Flowers & Bulbs’ categories, only one winner will be crowned the ‘AIPH International Grower of the Year 2026’ and receive the ‘Gold Rose’ – the industry’s most coveted prize.
Benefits of entering
The IGOTY Awards captures the attention of a global audience. The benefits of participating include:
- Awards logos will be issued to all winning and shortlisted companies within two weeks of the Awards for use on their websites, press releases, headed paper etc.
- Mention on AIPH social channels.
- Inclusion in promotional material including email, website and event PR.
- Your company name and logo on AIPH website and event page.
- Free promotion of your company in the ‘Winners Brochure’ which is available to all guests attending the Awards Ceremony and online post event.
- Featured in FloraCulture International Magazine
Judging
The judging panel comprises a maximum of seven people (one chairman, three category chairmen, three judges) who are selected and approved by the AIPH Executive Committee for a maximum period of three years. The AIPH Executive Committee selects specialists to chair each category to ensure a robust and fair process, and an overall chairman to ensure the category chairmen are following the guidance, and to ensure the overall winner is selected in a fair manner. All judges must meet the following criteria:
- Their day-to-day role must be active in and with a focus on the horticulture industry.
- They must be knowledgeable on the ornamental horticulture production sector and will not have any conflict of interest in relation to entrants.
- They must commit to reading and understanding the regulations of the AIPH International Grower of the Year Awards and to following them closely.
- They must personally read and scrutinise the information shared with them about each entrant and give a reasoned review of each entrant through the Judging Form, giving a mark for each of the criteria.
- They must take part in judging discussions (these will commonly be done by video conference).
- They must respect the confidentiality of all information submitted by the entrant, whether oral or in writing.
At the discretion of the judging panel, Certificates of Merit may be awarded to entries that demonstrate a particular feature of their business that is worthy of merit, despite not scoring highly enough to be a Finalist for an IGOTY Award.
A judge will not enter into discussion, comment or correspondence should the judging panel decision be challenged by a nominee. This must be sought directly from the AIPH secretariat. To protect and respect the confidential nature of the applications, each judge is required to sign a legal ‘Confidentiality Agreement’.
