Farwest Show Debuts Garden Center Pavilion
Retail garden center operators attending the Farwest Show Aug. 26 to 28 in Portland, Ore., will now have their very own destination on the show floor. The Garden Center Pavilion will feature products for the retail gift department.
“The gift shop has become a really strong profit center for retail garden centers because it has the ability to offer high-quality merchandise during the slower months as well as impulse items that complement the garden during busier times of the year,” said Aimee McAuliffe, show manager.
The Pavilion will feature booths featuring an assortment of quality gift vendors as well as education and inspiration in the form of free 20-minute workshops by industry experts Bill Calkins and Linda Cahan.
Bill Calkins, independent garden center business manager for Ball Horticultural Co., will give two workshops: “Appealing to a New and Emerging Customer Base” and Edibles Are Hot: Best Practices for Capitalizing on Veggies and Herbs.” Linda Cahan, an expert in visual merchandising, store design and display, will present three workshops: “Color Sells,” “Fabulous Focal Areas,” and Create Free Displays that Sell.”
Cahan also will be available for a limited number of private consultations on design and visual merchandising for individual stores. Call the Oregon Association of Nurseries at 503.682.5089 to make an appointment. For more information on the Farwest Show, visit www.farwestshow.com.