Whether your business sells roses, lawn seed or turfgrass, exhibiting your products at a horticulture trade show can increase both brand recognition and sales. Meeting face-to-face with current and future customers can also encourage the development of new products and services.

Before making the decision to participate in an event, learn everything you can about the horticulture trade show industry. Becoming familiar with the structure and offerings of these shows will give you an advantage in displaying, promoting and marketing your products and services. Consider the following suggestions:

1. Explore a horticulture trade show directory to find the event that's right for your business.

2. Research resources offered by associations and universities.

3. Read trade show guides and attend events to learn about horticulture trade show services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the horticulture trade show that is best for your business

Horticulture trade shows are global and occur year-round. To find events that will offer the greatest return on your investment, search event lists and directories.

I recommend: ExpoCentral's website includes a horticulture trade show directory with domestic and international listings of events and vendors. The Trade Show News Network offers a searchable database with more than 100 horticulture tradeshows world-wide that you can search by industry, event name, date and location.

Examine resources to gain horticulture trade show advice

Associations and universities can provide a plethora of horticulture trade show information from locations of events, to display vendors, and prospective academic and corporate customers.

I recommend: Green Industry Publications provides a list of horticulture associations and links to their websites. The company also offers many print and electronic horticulture resources. North Dakota State University Agriculture and University Extension lists university horticulture programs, as well as vendors and associations.

Find horticulture trade show services by reviewing guides and attending events

Reading handbooks that focus on planning trade show exhibits can lead you to vendors and consultants who work closely with exhibitors. Attending large trade shows will allow you to interact with and learn from your competitors.

I recommend: TradeShowHandbook.com supplies visitors with a comprehensive handbook with tips, ideas and links to trade show providers that can be adjusted as a horticulture trade show guide. The IPM Essen International Trade Fair for Plants is an annual horticulture trade show that takes place in Germany and other countries. It is the largest horticulture industry show in the world and many U.S. exhibitors participate. Attend the annual event as a visitor to gain ideas for your own exhibit at a future event and to gather first-hand horticulture trade show advice from competing vendors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Become a member of the Trade Show News Network and gain access to an extensive global events database, seminars, and thousands of vendors who cater to various industries, including horticulture tradeshows.