Nearly 7,500 industry professionals attended this year's Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE) which took place Jan. 17–19 at the Broward County Convention Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The professionals represented 46 U.S. states, two U.S. territories and 54 countries.
Nearly 500 companies exhibiting at TPIE showcased a wide range of tropical plants and related products.
“Exhibitors went all-out to not only present exciting plants and products, but to display them in an exciting and inspiring manner,” says Jane Van Cleave, with J Van Cleave Marketing and the chairperson of the 2008 TPIE. “TPIE displays are reaching the level of sophistication one sees at the European horticulture trade fairs."
Displays at the entrance, on the exhibit floor and elsewhere offered the opportunity to focus on tropicals. As part of TPIE’s Tropical Inspiration display, The Breakers Resort’s floral design team presented 11 masterpiece floral and foliage arrangements which all featured tropical plants as the main elements of the piece. From a 4-foot table arrangement complete with chandelier hanging above, to unique arrangements offering everything from coral-like plants and seashells to sleek, contemporary design to arrangements with an Asian theme – all using cut tropical foliage or live tropical plants, the arrangements inspired great ideas to put into use back home.
The TPIE New Plants and Products Room continues to be one of the most popular spots of the show. With nearly 50 new items on display, attendees were impressed with the mix of new plants and products coming into the marketplace. Buyers were given the opportunity to vote on their favorites with the following coming out on top:
- Favorite New Flowering Plant - Medinilla scortechinii, Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery, Inc.
- Favorite New Foliage Plant - Aglaonema ‘Pink Sapphire’PP#17,673, Twyford International/Kerry’s
- Favorite New Product - Poly Pebbles, Primescape Products Co.
A new feature in this room was the TPIE Sustainable Solutions Showcase which provided a special area for exhibitors to feature products offering environmentally friendly qualities.
The three-day event also offered demonstrations and educational sessions which provided insights, ideas and how-to’s as it relates to tropical plants, interiorscaping and garden center issues.
TPIE is an activity of the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association. For more information call 800/375-3642.