About FNGLA

2009 Show

October 1 -3, 2009

The 2009 Landscape Show Set the Tone for
Defining the Future of the Industry

ORLANDO, Florida -- The Landscape Show showcased tall trees, colorful flowers and plants from throughout Florida and the Southeastern U.S. last week as buyers and sellers of nursery and landscape products met for three days, October 1 - 3, at the Orange County Convention Center. More than 7,500 industry members turned to The Landscape Show to find plants, products and services to help their businesses grow now and in the future.

The Landscape Show featured 200,000 sq. ft. of trees, shrubs, equipment and more from over 500 exhibiting companies. In addition to the extensive trade show, numerous events promoting certification, business connections and learning surrounded The Landscape Show.

"I am very pleased with the success of The Landscape Show this year and the turnout of exhibitors and attendees. The energy and positive attitude at the show is evidence that our industry is making the most of the economy and will weather through. This is a promising sign as The Landscape Show represents members of many of Florida's largest industries including the nursery industry, the construction and home building industry, real estate development, hotels, theme parks, resorts and retail," said The Landscape Show chairman, Michel Sallin of Cherry Lake Tree Farm. "On the attendee side, qualified buyers were in the aisles ready to deal with our array of exhibitors. No one could have predicted how successful this year's show would be given the nature of the economy, but the numerous praise and feedback The Landscape Show committee received is evident the industry is prepared for revival."

EXHIBITORS AND SPEAKERS
With over 500 exhibiting companies, The Landscape Show highlighted the diverse products available from Florida's nursery and landscape industry. From towering trees, flowering plants, tropical foliage and drought-tolerant grasses to stone, pavers, ponds and pottery, all aspects of landscape elements were on display in this 200,000-square-foot marketplace.

The Landscape Show and the FNGLA Short Course hosted renowned speakers on economics, design and business management to keep attendees apprised of the latest trends. Speakers included Rosalind Creasy who informed attendees of the popularity of edible landscaping and Simon T. Bailey who engaged his audience by revealing how to survive times of change.

Dr. Hank Fishkind

Dr. Henry Fishkind, Ph.D., of Fishkind and Associates in Orlando, opened the show by unveiling the results of an FNGLA-commissioned, six-month study of Florida's nursery and landscape businesses. Dr. Fishkind touched on market trends, changes in the economy and how major factors will impact buying patterns which will impact the nursery and landscape industry.

Dr. Fishkind related the current recession, the longest and worst one since World War II, to an illness. "It's like the fever has broken, however it won't be like it was before. Things will get better, but we're not off to the races."

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
In addition to the diverse products on the trade show floor, educational programs were also available at this event. A tour of Aquatica gave a behind-the-scenes look at the initiatives the horticulture team has taken to reduce maintenance demands while enhancing the landscape presentation. Special tracks of classes were offered for landscape managers, landscape designers, growers and retailers, as well as general sessions offering management skills for all. Special free, how-to demonstrations were offered throughout each day of the show.

Always looking forward, FNGLA welcomed our industry's future leaders to attend its Horticulture Career Day to learn about the many career opportunities in Florida's nursery and landscape industry. More than 200 high school horticulture students met with educators and employers and competed in Horticulture Jeopardy before visiting the show floor.

In an effort to further increase the professionalism of Florida's landscape industry, FNGLA hosted a training session to certify the judges and proctors of FNGLA's landscape certification exams. Forty professionals from Florida and the Bahamas took part in FNGLA's newest certification offering - and received their official judge vests during the FNGLA Landscape Awards Banquet.

72 golfers participated in the annual golf tournament held at the Grand Cypress Golf Resort. Carden & Associates team of Fred Simons, Matt Railey, Wes Robinson and Gerry Bogdon won first place. Since 1994, FNGLA's Allied Division, which promotes and represents Allied members' business interests within Florida's environmental horticulture industry, has raised over $147,000 for education and research through the University of Florida's Special Help For Agricultural Research & Education program (SHARE).

On Satuday, October 3, FNGLA hosted a fundraiser at the Rosen Plaza for Congressman Adam Putnam's campaign to be Florida's next Commissioner of Agriculture. Putnam met with contributors and then visited The Landscape Show trade floor.

AWARDS AND DISPLAYS
Several awards were presented to exhibitors for their outstanding booth displays. Receiving the Best of Show Award this year was Acosta Farms, Inc. of Miami, Florida. Photos of all the booth award winners are available at www.thelandscapeshow.org.

On Friday, October 2, 160 people gathered for the annual FNGLA Landscape Awards banquet at the Rosen Plaza to celebrate 26 winning entries for excellence in landscape design. In addition to winning "Best Theme Park New Installation, Over $500,000" and the Floriculture Award, Aquatica of Orlando, FL received the annual Roy S. Rood award, the award given to the most outstanding entry.

New at The Landscape Show was The Discover Area which featured a showcase of live green walls, also called vertical gardens. Six groups made up of creative and talented horticulture professionals took on the challenge of designing and constructing a vertical garden to share with their industry colleagues. In addition to the beautiful walls of plants, the groups provided useful data collected as they put the gardens together, including plants used, costs, time and lessons learned. The Sustainable Solutions Showcase within the Discover Area featured products and services which are both sustainable and environmentally friendly. A massive topiary scene of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs courtesy of the horticulture professionals at Walt Disney World, greeted attendees at registration.

About The Landscape Show
"Most years we go into a show with a pretty good idea of what to expect. With so many of our industry members struggling through this economy, we really didn't know what to expect for The 2009 Landscape Show, not only in attendance, but in attitude," said Linda Adams, FNGLA Chief Operations Officer. "We were so pleased to see a great turn out of quality buyers, as well as people determined to be upbeat and resilient. This is an industry that seems to take crisis in stride, whether natural or man-made."

Plans for an even larger 2010 The Landscape Show are already in the works. The trade show returns September 23-25, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

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2009 Show Poster