Expos Categories

AIPH recognises four different categories of Horticultural Exhibitions

AIPH approves horticultural exhibitions for large public audiences, smaller public audiences and industry only. Approved horticultural events are organised into four different categories: A1, B, C and D.

SWIPE
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

Categories explained

A1: World 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:

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171 Expo days

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2.6m attendees

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15.2k daily attendees

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1.9m unique attendees(1)

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51% Inter. 20% Dom. Visitors

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1.2m In-scope visitors(2)

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2.5m visitor nights(3)

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€262m direct economic impact(4)

Outside green building view
Outside green building view
Outside green building view
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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 Horticultural Exhibitions

B category events 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 10 and applications are required 10 to 3 years before the event opens. AIPH approved B class events 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:

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171 Expo days

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8.9m attendees

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52.4k daily attendees

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6.8m unique attendees(1)

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7% Inter. 66% Dom. visitors

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4.1m In-scope visitors(2)

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8.9m visitor nights(3)

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€719m direct economic impact4(4)

Outside green building view
Outside green building view
Outside green building view
Outside green building view
Outside green building view

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:

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€13.4m Revenues from ticket sales and sponsorship

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1.98m visitors

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€ 177.4 m production promotion effect

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6,808 new jobs created

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€ 279.1 m total stimulation of local economy

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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).


World Presence – Expo Locations

Past AIPH approved Expos

International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing, China

International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing, China

Theme:
‘Live Green, Live Better’

International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing, China

International Horticultural Exhibition 2016 Antalya, Turkey

Theme:
‘Flowers and Children – a green life for future generations’

International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing, China

International Garden and Horticulture Exposition Tangshang 2016, China

Theme:
'City and Nature'

International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing, China

Taichung World Flora Expo, 2018, Chinese Taipei

Theme:
The Sound of Blooming

International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing, China

International Garden Exposition, Suncheon Bay Korea, 2013

Theme:
Garden of the Earth

International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing, China

Floriade, 2012, The Netherlands

Theme:
Be part of the theatre in nature; get closer to the quality of life.

From economic impact and sustainability to driving tourism and enhancing reputation, the benefits of holding an exhibition are far reaching

Organiser’s Guide for International Horticultural Exhibitions

A guide to the planning and organisation of an international horticultural exhibition

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Wood hut in woodland
Man speaking to the press
AIPH horticultural expo