In a time of unpredictable tradeshow attendance due to weary travelers, the Central Environmental Nursery and Trade Show (CENTS) has captured a growing audience, drawing a variegated group of green industry professionals, from landscape contractors to growers, arborists and garden retailers.
This year, the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, which sponsors the event each year, expects to continue this trend and hopes to break its record of 14,470 attendees from the 2002 show. The show is scheduled for January 20 to 22, 2003, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
"CENTS exhibitors come from all aspects of the green industry," summed up Bill Stalter, executive director of ONLA. "If it's related to the green industry, you'll find it at CENTS."
Perhaps this all-encompassing approach has helped the show remain healthy each year, or maybe it's the Columbus, Ohio, location, which CENTS adopted in 1994. The 217,000 square feet of exhibit space at the convention center offers the show ample space for suppliers - 690 exhibitors took advantage of this last year.
Concurrent with the tradeshow, The Ohio State University holds its Short Course, an opportunity for attendees to learn from horticulture experts and extension agents. More than 90 educational programs are slated for the Short Course and its speakers aren't limited to the university sphere. Pam Bennett, Ohio State University Horticulture Extension agent for Clark County, noted that the educators come from "all over the country." "We have horticulture experts, professionals on management and marketing, educators and researchers - something for everyone," she described in a September press release.
"Having the Short Course held in conjunction with CENTS combines two great opportunities," Stalter added. "We've got a world class tradeshow and an outstanding educational event all in one location."
Admission to CENTS is free. For more information, contact ONLA at info@onla.org or 800/825-5062.
The author is Managing Editor - Special Projects for Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at khampshire@lawnandlandscape.com.