Congress 2005 Trade Show a Success

MILTON, Ontario – Congress, Canada’s international horticultural trade show and conference, is one of the first big green events of the year and a sign that spring is coming. With more than 750 exhibitors, the show provides many buying and product research opportunities.

“The 14-percent increase in attendance starts the year out well for the industry,” said Paul Day, trade show manager for Landscape Ontario.”

More than 13,000 attendees gathered at the Toronto Congress Centre from January 11 to 13 to inspect more than 250 new product releases, visit with supplier and take in the high-powered lineup of speakers offered at the conference.

For the first time, Congress 2005 featured a co-located show in conjunction with Fencecraft. The Canadian Fence Industry Association recognized the value of the shared connections between the fencing and landscaping industries and Fencecraft will be returning to Congress in 2006.

The speaker program drew increased crowed this year as well, with 1,000 attendees opting to attend the conference as well as the trade show. Sessions covered everything from practical aspects of business management to the core subjects of plants, landscape techniques, design and a strong supporting cast of specialty interests, such as irrigation, lighting and soil management.

“We try to ensure that there is a topic of interest to suit every segment of the green trades,” said Pat Hillmer, conference coordinator. “For instance, we designed a session on underground locates because this is a topic of interest to both landscape and fencing contractors.”

Best booth awards for the show went to Stoneman’s Valley, Urban Village, Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings and Echo Power Equipment Canada. The best of show winner was Freeman Herbs. Zander Sod Co. was recognized with a best promotion award.

Landscape Ontario’s Awards of Execllence program took place on Jan. 11 and highlighted the talent and skill within the industry. The Awards also acknowledged the importance of community support for public green space. Christopher Hume of the Toronto Star was the winner of the Garden Communicator of the Year Award. Hume is a strong advocate of functional green space that is integrated with the surrounding architecture.

Landscape Ontario produces both Congress – one of the 50 fastest-growing shows in North America – and Garden Expo, Canada’s fall buying show for growers. Plans are already underway for Congress 2006, which will be held Jan. 10 to 12 at the Toronto Congress Centre.