Jan 21, 2005

KNLA, TNLA and SNA Announce Trade ShowSource: MSHE

Three horticultural associations – the Kentucky Nursery & Landscape Association (KNLA), the Tennessee Nursery & Landscape Association (TNLA) and the Southern Nursery Association (SNA) – have joined together to form a new regional winter trade show, which will open January 5-6, 2006 in Louisville, Ky. This new event, the Mid-States Horticultural Expo (MSHE), is the result of combining the KNLA winter trade show and the TNLA summer trade show to form a regional event for the Mid-South.

MSHE will be held at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center, which is more commonly known as the Kentucky Fairgrounds. One of the top 10 largest public facilities of its kind in the United States, this Expo Center features a 400-acre property that offers more than 1,000,000 sq.ft. of indoor space. The Center is currently expanding the South Wing, which is to house the MSHE. The project is expected to be complete by October 2005.

This new combined trade show is a result of a study, which began in 1994 by SNA and many of its participating state associations. The study later spawned the work that brought the Gulf States Horticultural Expo together in 1999, consolidating the trade shows of the Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association with the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association and the Mississippi Nursery and Landscape Association. Both Gulf States and the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) were studied while developing Mid-States. Strategies are being developed to co-promote these shows, offering greater promotional exposure while coordinating schedules for our industry members.

KNLA President Jim Wallitsch said, “A lot of thought and planning went into deciding not only the venue but also the dates of Mid-States. This new joint event will be an important market for both buyers and sellers. We are very excited about our new partnership and are very excited to have it in Louisville.” TNLA President Eric Walker stated, “This is an important move for not only our associations, but our industry. We have a great product range in this joint marketplace, and the location of Louisville positions us in very close driving distance for much of our audience.”

SNA President Wayne Sawyer believes this combined trade show will be well received by the industry, “We have two great examples (MANTS and GSHE) of how a joint show can benefit the industry. We appreciate the input we have received from both these shows on their progress. With the extremely busy schedule of our industry members today, bringing a joint show like Mid-States into being will be a valuable marketplace for our industry.”

For more information on the MSHE, contact the Southern Nursery Association, call (770) 953-3311 or visit www.sna.org.