Much Ado at Mid-Am

CHICAGO - Considered one of the best in the Mid-west, the Mid-Am Horticultural Trade Show attracted 10,350 attendees to Chicago, Ill., Jan. 17-19, for three days of buying, selling, shopping and learning. A record number of exhibitors - 610 - crowded the historical Navy Pier, and suppliers ranged from manufacturers to ornamental growers, noted Nancy Molenda, communications manager, Mid-America Horticultural Tradeshow, Wauconda, Ill.

"It's a big order writing show - attendees go to this show and they buy their supplies and equipment for the year," she said. This year's show attendees consisted of 36 percent landscape contractors, 20 percent suppliers, 19 percent growers and 13 percent retailers, Molenda listed.

And though the show attracts a majority of attendees from surrounding states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio, professionals were not from these states alone, Molenda added.

"We had green industry professionals from 42 of the 50 states, five Canadian provinces and six foreign countries."

Though attendance dipped from last year's 11,632 count, Molenda explained that last year was "amazing," and the board expected to see a slight drop in attendance this year due to possible travel complications. This variable did not seem to affect the lower number as much as the snowy Wednesday opening day of the show, however.

"A lot of the landscapers were out plowing," she pointed out. "But we had the best Friday attendance ever. It was the most crowded day. I think the weather was nice and a lot of the people who decided to go on Wednesday and couldn't went on Friday."

Nevertheless, attendees overall were pleased with not only the healthy exhibitor presence, which allowed them to buy products pre-season, but also with the Mid-Winter Conference - a series of seminars that ran before and after tradeshow floor hours. This was the third year for the educational sessions, and speakers were especially strong, she added. Topics catered to four tracts: landscaping, greenhouse/retail, nursery and business. Molenda expects this portion of the show to continue growing and earning recognition as more participate in the sessions.

Next year's show is slated for Jan. 15-17 at Navy Pier.

For more information on the Mid-Am Horticultural Tradeshow, check their Web site at www.midam.org.