AIPH Approved Expo Categories • AIPH Expos

Official name	Duration	Minimum exhibition area/ specific requirements	Application
World Horticultural Exhibition	3 – 6 months	Minimum exhibition area of 50ha of which a maximum of 10% is taken up by buildings (excluding buildings used for indoor exhibitions) At least 5% of the exhibition area reserved for full-time international participants Minimum of 10 countries participating Invitations can be issued through diplomatic channels	6 – 12 years before (BIE recognition required)
International Horticultural Exhibition	3 – 6 months	Minimum exhibition area of 25ha of which a minimum of 3% is reserved for international participants Minimum of 10 international participants	Application submitted 3-10 years before opening date
International Horticultural Show	4 – 20 days	Minimum exhibition area of 6,000m2 of which a minimum of 10% is reserved for international participants Minimum of 6 international participants	Application submitted 0.5-5 years before opening date for established annual shows 1-5 years before opening date for new shows and shows that are not annual
International Horticultural Trade Exhibition	No requirement	Exhibition aimed at horticultural trade visitors and promoting business to business commerce At least 60% of exhibition participants must be involved in the production of horticultural products or supplying that sector Exhibitions can incorporate conferences and symposia	Application submitted 0.5-5 years before opening date for established annual exhibitions 1-5 years before opening date for new shows and shows that are not annual

A1: International Horticultural Exhibitions

A1 category events are major, large scale world horticultural exhibitions that are held for a long duration of three to six months. AIPH approval and subsequent BIE recognition give organisers the authority to invite the participation of other countries through the highest diplomatic channels. A country is allowed to organise one A1 horticulture exhibition every ten years. The minimum exhibition area is 50ha, the minimum number of participating counties is 10 and applications are required 12 to 6 years before the event opens. AIPH approved A1 exhibitions have been held in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Turkey, Japan, China and Thailand.

Case study

2003 IGA, Rostock, Germany (A1)
Budget: €88,2m (state subsidies)

Attendance, visitation and direct economic impact:

171 Expo days

2.6m attendees

15.2k daily attendees

1.9m unique attendees(1)

51% Inter. 20% Dom. Visitors

1.2m In-scope visitors(2)

2.5m visitor nights(3)

€262m direct economic impact(4)

The post-expo reports for 2003 IGA did not include all data required to undertake economic impact calculations. As such, assumptions from other global events have been used in relation to average visitor nights, daily spend, day-trippers, overnight and in-scope visitors.

1 Assuming 1.3 average days attended. 2 100% in-scope day trippers and 80% in-scope overnight visitors. 3 Estimated 2.65 average nights for overnight visitors. 4 Assuming 15% day trippers, 85% overnight visitors; €78 daily spend per overnight visitor and €31 per day tripper

B: International Green Exhibitions

B category Expos are horticultural exhibitions with international participation, held for three to six months. These are organised more at a city level rather than involving national governments. International participation is secured through the city-to-city contact. The minimum exhibition area is 25ha, the minimum number of participating counties is ten and applications are required 10 to 3 years before the event opens. AIPH approved B class Expos have been held in France, Germany, China, Japan and Canada.

Case study

Taipei International Flora Expo, Chinese Taipei (B) – 2010
Budget: €283,8m

Attendance, visitation and direct economic impact:

171 Expo days

8.9m attendees

52.4k daily attendees

6.8m unique attendees(1)

7% Inter. 66% Dom. visitors

4.1m In-scope visitors(2)

8.9m visitor nights(3)

€719m direct economic impact4(4)

1 Assuming 1.3 average days attended. 2 100% in-scope day trippers and 80% in-scope overnight visitors. 3 Estimated 2.65 average nights for overnight visitors. 4 Assuming 15% day trippers, 85% overnight visitors; €78 daily spend per overnight visitor and €31 per day tripper

C: International Horticultural Shows

C category events are held for the purpose of inspiring and entertaining the public. They are held for a period of between four to twenty days. The minimum exhibition area is 6,000m² and the minimum number of participating countries is 6. Applications are required 5 to 0.5 years before the opening of an established show and 5 – 1 years before the opening of a new or non-annual show. AIPH approved shows include Floralies in Nantes, France.

Case study

Korea Floritopia 2009, Anmyeon, Korea (C) – 2009
Budget: €12.2m

Attendance, visitation and direct economic impact:

€13.4m Revenues from ticket sales and sponsorship

1.98m visitors

€ 177.4 m production promotion effect

6,808 new jobs created

€ 279.1 m total stimulation of local economy

x23 return on initial investment

D: International Horticultural Trade Exhibitions

D category events promote trade, innovation, development, knowledge sharing and networking in the global horticulture industry. These B2B events are often held annually and there are no restrictions on their duration. A minimum of 60 per cent of exhibitors must be involved in horticultural production or supply, exhibitions can incorporate symposia and applications are required 5 to 0.5 years before the opening of an established exhibition and 5 to 1 years before the opening of a new or non-annual exhibition. AIPH approved trade exhibitions include Flormart (Italy) and GreenTech (the Netherlands).