Feb 1, 2008

2008 TPIE: A Mesmerizing SuccessSource: FNGLA

The 2008 Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE), which drew nearly 7,500 industry professionals, was a resounding success by most accounts.

The three-day event, took place Jan. 17-19, at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was a celebration of all things tropical. The striking displays – showcasing bright and bold flowers, plants and vines – commanded the attention of attendees. The exhibition also featured demonstrations and educational sessions designed to provide insight and ideas related to tropical plants, interiorscaping and garden center issues.

The thousands of TPIE participants represented 46 U.S. states and 54 countries. The 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall that greeted them featured the greatest collection of tropical plants available anywhere in the country, according to the Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association ((FNGLA), who organized the event.

Nearly 500 companies exhibited at TPIE and 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,” states Jane Van Cleave, chairperson of the 2008 TPIE, in an FNGLA press release.

In addition to the eye-catching displays in the entrance and on the exhibit floors, additional displays offered more opportunity to focus on tropicals. The TPIE New Plants and Products room continued 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 emerging as the winners:

• 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 Sustainable Solutions Showcase, which provided a special area for exhibitors to feature products offering environmentally friendly qualities.

Next year’s exhibition is slated for Jan. 15-17, 2009. For more information, visit www.tpie.orgor call (800) 375-3642.