Author: Ron van der Ploeg
ESSEN, Germany: With preparations underway for the world’s premier show for ornamental horticulture, IPM ESSEN 2020, event organiser Messe Essen is happy to announce that the refurbishment of its east wing is complete. As such IPM ESSEN (January 28-31, 2020) will no longer need temporary halls with its new home being one of Europe’s most luxury, modern and future-proof convention centres. France is the partner country of IPM ESSEN 2020. For the first year, IPM ESSEN will have AIPH approval as a D category international horticultural trade show in 2020.
True to tradition, the show’s annual novelty showcase will offer the perfect opportunity to spot the latest breeding breakthroughs in shrubs, cut flowers, houseplants, perennials, annuals and cut foliage. The four-day event also serves as a platform for the good and great of horticultural technology with a top-notch educational programme which in 2020 will see further expansion. Climate change and sustainability will be defining subjects particularly with regard to environmentally friendly packaging.
For the first time, the coming IPM ESSEN from January 28 to 31, 2020 will take place on the completely modernised site at Messe Essen. Exhibitors and visitors will find eight large-area, ground-level, daylight-flooded exhibition halls of the newest infrastructure. 2020 will also mark the first year IPM ESSEN will be an AIPH approved, Category D, international horticultural trade show.
Remarking on gaining AIPH approval, Mr Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO Messe Essen, said: “We are very pleased to receive certification by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), and to continue intensifying this trusting cooperation. Planning the next IPM ESSEN, the world’s leading trade fair for horticulture, is underway including the presentation of the International Grower of the Year Awards 2020. We are very happy to provide an international setting for this top-class event once again.”
AIPH Secretary General, Mr Tim Briercliffe, said: “AIPH members were unanimous in granting AIPH approval to IPM ESSEN. We believe IPM ESSEN reaches the highest standards in delivering an international horticultural trade show for both exhibitors and visitors. IPM ESSEN has already been a venue partner for AIPH’s annual awards for several years and we are excited about the industry opportunities that will result from this deeper collaboration.”
Since 2015, IPM ESSEN has been the venue for the AIPH International Grower of the Year (IGOTY) Awards. The prestigious industry event promotes best practice in ornamentals production and gives global recognition to the world’s best ornamentals growers. As a sponsor of the IGOTY Awards 2020, IPM ESSEN will further demonstrate its commitment to showcasing industry excellence, applauding talent and advancing the horticulture industry’s goal to create a greener planet.
More than 1,500 exhibitors from 50 countries will once again be expected and will introduce their new products and innovations to a top-class international trade public. France, being IPM ESSEN’s official Partner Country for 2020, will host one of the most impressive country pavilions.
True to the theme for France’s presence at IPM 2020, ‘Quality & Innovation, the French Touch!’, the crème de la crème from the world of French ornamental plant breeding and production will treat trade visitors to an exciting range of new plants and flowers.
“France and its ornamental horticultural industry are delighted and honoured to be the partner country for IPM ESSEN 2020,” says Mikael Mercier, Chairman of VAL’HOR, the umbrella organisation for ornamental horticulture in France. “While IPM ESSEN has undoubtedly developed into the world’s largest platform for ornamental plants, trade and product innovations, it has also become the most important showcase for French plant exporters. For more than 30 years, leading French breeders and producers have been exhibitors at IPM ESSEN which makes their international reputations flourish and prosper.”
Commenting on the German-Franco partnership, Mr Kuhrt, said “France has been one of the most important exhibiting nations for decades and is a popular horticultural country internationally. We are delighted to be able to give French exhibitors an exclusive platform with IPM ESSEN 2020 and our trade fair visitors real added value.”
Occupying pride of place, French flower and plant breeders will move from the Galeria into the new Hall 6 while, in keeping with tradition, the French nurseries will exhibit in Hall 7. Many other French plant exporters, substrate suppliers and plant pot manufacturers will also be among the large contingent of French exhibitors.
The official opening ceremony of IPM ESSEN, to be attended by a French guest of honour, is scheduled on Tuesday January 28th allowing visitors to soak in some true French atmosphere.
The International Horticulture Forum on January 30th will try to answer the question of how research, cooperation and public green spaces can advance innovation and quality in the horticultural sector and highlight the significance of plants for improving health and quality of life.
French horticulture blooms on a unique diversity of climate zones, soils, landscapes and cultural traditions. Besides the wine, cheese, gastronomy and tourism industries, the French horticultural sector also benefits from this exceptional diversity. Rooted both on a long tradition of breeding, selection and cultivation and on the strong identities of French regions, the French horticultural sector can provide a wide range of high-quality plants. Some of the best-known and most distinctive plant specialties which the country produces are roses, fruit trees, rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas, cyclamens, chrysanthemums, Peruvian lilies and dahlias.
Urban greenery and city landscaping play an important role in France from big cities to small towns, embellishing streets, squares and roundabouts for the Villages Fleuris competition. This initiative not only promotes and develops tourism and the economy but also increases the well-being of inhabitants. The close cooperation between decision-makers, buyers and the horticultural sector has proven to be a convincing win-win approach in this important sector.
The more society deals with climate change, the more aware it becomes of the significance of trees and plants in big cities all around the world. Cities such as Paris, Lyon, Nantes and Nice are shining examples of newly introduced ‘green advocates’ who are standing up for green spaces and investing in them thus making cities more attractive to citizens, investors and visitors.
Quick facts and figures about French ornamental horticulture
– Production: 3,600 producers, 16,150ha production area, 19,000 jobs, €1,600 million turnover
– Retail and wholesale trade: 19,000 companies, 58,000 jobs, €7,000 million turnover
– Landscaping: 30,000 companies, 91,000 jobs, €5,300 million turnover
Ornamental production in France in detail:
€1,600 million turnover
1,600 ha production area under glass and plastic film
2,000ha production area in containers 19,000 jobs in production
Production in France: 12 % of total European production (Germany: 12 %, Netherlands: 32 %)
