ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association reported that the final attendance numbers for the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE) Jan. 15-18 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale reached 8,400 – a 5 percent increase over 2002.
“Initial comments from exhibitors at the show was that the quality of buyers was good and there was enthusiasm related to sales for the upcoming year,” according to Jennifer Nelis, director of membership, Florida Nurserymen & Growers Association.
The TPIE Short Course had 165 participants in the Foliage Safari tours Jan. 15 and nearly 350 people attending the educational sessions Jan. 17 and 18 at the convention center. TPIE’s “Fan-ta-sea Affair” party sold out the morning of Jan. 16 with more than 900 tickets purchased.
The National Foliage Foundation Fund-raiser Reception on Jan. 17 brought in more than $55,000 in contributions and pledges, with nearly $6,000 of that number coming from the TPIE/NFF Golf Tournament, which took place Jan. 15. Interior Business donated $2,208 in advertising for 2003 to the National Foliage Foundation.
FNGA welcomes both exhibitor and attendee feedback about “what went well and ideas you have to make TPIE even better,” Nelis said. “We have a wealth of resources in our exhibitors and attendees and appreciate your input.”
In fact, an informal exhibitor survey will be included when current exhibitors receive contracts to renew booth space.
Nelis also reminded exhibitors to follow up on their leads. “One of the biggest complaints of trade show attendees is that exhibitors never contact them after the show,” she noted. “Hopefully, you have a system to organize and follow up on the contacts you made at the show.”
And don’t forget to pencil in TPIE on your 2004 calendar. The show will be held Jan. 15-17 at the Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale.
The author is Managing Editor of Interior Business magazine and can be reached at acybulski@interiorbusinessonline.com.