From January 28 to 31, 2020, IPM ESSEN will take place at Messe Essen for the 38th time. At the world’s leading fair for horticulture, more than 1,500 exhibitors from nearly 50 nations will show their innovative products and services along the entire value-added chain in horticulture – from new plant breeds via pioneering technology right up to exclusive floristry and equipment for the point of sale. The neighbour France will present itself as the official partner country. Extra value-added will be offered by the extensive supporting program with numerous specialist forums, competitions and awards ceremonies.
27-01-2020/Essen/Germany
Foto: Rainer Schimm/©MESSE ESSEN GmbH
The range on offer at IPM ESSEN will give the trade visitors a complete overview of the market. In Halls 1, 1A, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 as well as in the Galeria, everything will revolve around plants – including bedding and balcony plants, cut flowers, herbs, perennial plants and woody plants. In Halls 3 and 4 as well as in the Galeria, the technology suppliers will present themselves with greenhouses, plastic films, machines, pots, soils and substrates. In Hall 5, it will be possible to find exhibitors with garden decorations and floristry requisites such as plant pots, gift cards, decoration articles, florists’ sponges and small tools. For the first time, IPM ESSEN will take place on the completed modernized fair site. Exhibitors and visitors will profit from ultramodern technology and appealing architecture.
“Bienvenue à Essen!”: France Presents Itself as the Partner Country
The numerous national booths are unique at IPM ESSEN: In 2020, Turkey will return to the world’s leading fair with an exhibition area of 220 square meters. Moreover, Guatemala will present itself once more after a one-year break. Additional countries have confirmed their participation: Belgium, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and the USA will show new solutions and innovations.
Particular attention will be paid to France’s national booths because the “Grande Nation” will present itself as the official partner country of IPM ESSEN in 2020. Some of the best-known and most distinctive plant specialities produced by the country are roses, fruit trees, rhododendrons, camellias, hydrangeas, cyclamens, chrysanthemums, Peruvian lilies, dahlias and lavenders. The French flower and plant breeders will present themselves in Hall 6; the nurseries will be placed in Hall 7. Many additional French plant exporters, substrate suppliers and plant pot manufacturers will be participants, too. The official Opening Ceremony for IPM ESSEN will be an ideal opportunity to celebrate and experience the French way of life. France’s Consul General, Dr Olivia Berkeley-Christmann, will be expected as the guest of honour. Furthermore, Julia Klöckner, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, has announced her visit.
27-01-2020/Essen/Germany
Foto: Rainer Schimm/©MESSE ESSEN GmbH
Exclusive Supporting Program Accompanies IPM ESSEN
The International Horticulture Forum will also be under the French flag. It will follow up 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.
With the “Innovation Showcase”, the most beautiful and best new breeds of the participating plant exhibitors will be honoured by a jury of experts. The “Show Your Colors Award” will concentrate on perennial plants and woody plants with special marketing concepts. The more outrageous the story behind the plant is, the higher will be the chance of winning the coveted mark of distinction. Furthermore, the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) will distinguish the world’s best plant breeders with the “Grower of the Year Awards”.
In the FDF World, the Trade Association of German Florists will bring international stars on the floristry scene on to the stage. In thrilling shows, they will present fresh ideas and special techniques for flower design. Showrooms will take up the latest trends and give creative assistance for floral design. In 2020, the IPM competition will bear the motto “I Live This Way – It Doesn’t Get Greener!” With their workpieces, florists and trainees will express their love for diverse and blossoming nature. Many additional suggestions for shop design in the green retail trade will be given by the special shows called BLOOM’s WORLD and the g&v CreativeCenter.
The IPM Discovery Center will also concentrate on the marketing of green products and services. “We’re Speaking About the Future” will be the heading for the program in the connected Speakers’ Corner on January 28 and 29. On Tuesday, the program will be intended for small and medium-sized enterprises (e.g. floristic retail trade). Under the motto: “Future Perspectives for 2023”, the listening entrepreneurs should be inspired to orient their own future plans to these. On Wednesday, organizations and trade system structures will be the target group of the lectures on the subjects of the market, consumer, trend and future research. Thursday and Friday will be totally characterized by fruit and vegetables. In specialist lectures, experts will examine the changes and challenges of this range for garden centres and the green retail trade.
The green associations will present themselves in the Horticultural Info Center (Green City, Hall 1A) and provide advice on topical subjects such as plant protection strategies or the plant passport. The connected teaching show called “Boundaries Are Getting Blurred – A Sector in the State of Change” will refer to the prevailing upheaval in horticulture in relation to the training, the type of cultivation as well as the subdivision of horticultural products.
Within the framework of the cross-border project entitled “Green Cities for a Sustainable Europe”, the Federation of German Nurseries will stage a seminar on the subject of “Organizing Sustainability in the Municipality – Reports from Free Space Planning”. During its Future Congress, the North Rhine-Westphalia Association for Horticulture, Landscaping and Sports Field Construction will focus on the subject of “Paths into the Future – Organizing the Company Succession Successfully”.
