Will Belgium’s Florall make history as the first post-Covid-19 trade show?

GHENT, Belgium: AVBS, the Belgian board for ornamentals growers, says that its highly-anticipated trade show Florall looks set to stick to its planned 25 August date, despite the current coronavirus situation.

The pandemic has had an enormous impact on the country’s ornamental horticulture industry, with at the height of the crisis many garden centres and florist shops closed both at home and in Belgium’s largest export market, France.

AVBS, however, does not doubt that the sector is resilient enough to overcome this challenge and believes that the actors of the value chain will emerge from this crisis more robust than before.

Since retailers started opening again, the demand for flowers and plants has been strong because so many people are spending more time at home and in their garden. By this very nature, AVBS expresses cautious optimism for Florall’s autumn edition which will take place at Expo Waregem on 25 August.

The show will bring more than 90 exhibitors together, with full observance of social distancing and safe use of the available space. These growers will present the professional buyers attending the Fair with a virtually complete range of what Flemish ornamental growers have to offer consumers this autumn. Once again underpinning Florall’s reputation as a ‘one stop shop for plants’ offering professional buyers everything they need in a highly practical format.

True to tradition, Florall will host its novelty showcase which will host the winners of the coveted Florall Awards.

The limited number of visitors gives both buyers and growers the time and space they need for productive conversations. It also ensures that the Fair is a Covid-safe event. “We don’t take any risks at all when it comes to safety”, explains organiser Pieter Van Oost on behalf of Florall. “We’ve reduced the number of stand pitches, to ensure that there’s enough room for both exhibitors and visitors. We have set up a one-way system for visitors, facemasks and hand sanitisers will be provided, and we will carefully record the contact details of all visitors. We are of course working closely with the authorities and will not hesitate to take additional measures if necessary.”

The Florall trade fair first began in 2007 and is held twice a year, in spring and autumn. In 2014, event organiser AVBS, the Belgian board for ornamentals growers, florists, and landscapers, decided to switch from a two-day event to a one-day format, starting with their August 2014 trade show.

Entry to the event and car parking is free, but visitors must pre-register at www.florall.be

Opening hours: Tuesday, 25 August 2020 from 9.00 to 18.30 hrs

Venue: Waregem Expo, Zuiderlaan 20, 8790 Waregem, Belgium