If you are a regular visitor to IPM every year at the end of January in the German city of Essen you might have been surprised not to find FDF World in the basement of Hall 1A, but in the huge Hall 5. If you read on, you will see how this has worked out very well for both the Fachverband Deutscher Floristen (FDF, the German Florists' Association), its co-exhibitors, the performing designers, and the broad audience that bumped into a (perhaps) unexpected floral paradise on the best location ever.
IPM Essen- A Plant Fair With a Floral Touch
The abbreviation IPM stands for (in German) 'Internationale Pflanzenmesse'. That's how it started back in 1983. Over the years, technical supplies, sundries, and cut flowers have made their mark on the 4-day event as well.
In 2025, flowers have become an indispensable part of the fair. The popular FDF World was lifted one level up to a big and attractive location so many more would find the stage where celebrity designers made floral art, such as current European Champion Hanneke Frankema (Netherlands), Tom de Houwer (Belgium), Alex Segura (Spain), Krisztián Kövér (Hungary), and 2025 World Cup contestant Christopher Ernst (Germany).
FDF World was a meetup spot for everyone who has a heart for flowers and plants. And for everyone who understands the role of the florist in the floral industry as the one giving creative added value to flowers and plants. Florists are the artists of the sector, but also representatives of the whole industry towards the end consumers. Therefore, it is not just important for wholesalers to acknowledge this, but also for breeders and growers of the world. And being in Hall 5 put just the perfect spotlight on these decision-makers.
They were accompanied in FDF World by suppliers like Decorum, Van der Plas, Winco, Porta Nova, and Plantion, as well as a group of young German florists who created some wonderful art to fill the booths.
Klaus Götz, President of the German Florists' Association FDF shared:
"Anyone who did not visit IPM Essen 2025 has missed something! In the field of floristry, we experienced a trend forum for the floral industry in Hall 5 that is unique in this form. Fantastic national and international stage shows in front of an enthusiastic audience with prominent floral designers, committed partners from the industry in our FDF World, floristry exhibitors with trend-oriented ranges, a high frequency of trade visitors and many international guests. All of this together has made the FDF World in Trend Hall 5 a top forum and a reflection of modern, creative floristry!
In addition, there were many good discussions, an exchange of information, innovative new products from the industry, strong networking and a lot of positive feedback for our appearance in the bright, friendly Hall 5, which means short distances for exhibitors and trade visitors and was therefore a win-win for everyone involved.
The association and exhibitors experienced traffic, movement and contacts thanks to the good connection of this hall to the trade fair. We are looking back on four successful days in Essen and are delighted, along with our partners from the green industry and the IPM management, that IPM Essen was once again able to confirm its role as the world's leading innovation platform and powerful industry motor for the year."
Four Days of Floral Fantasy
For those who especially came to see FDF World, it did not come as a surprise to be amidst all the beauty floriculture offers. Many Insta and Facebook accounts will be filled with the amazing designs that were created both on stage by famous floral artists and by the team of young florists guided by FDF during the four days of floral fantasy. To those who encountered it for the first time, it will be a trigger to come again next year, to enjoy a new edition of FDF World.
And there was more to see and so in the exhibition Messe Essen. Spread over eight halls and connecting galleries, over 1,400 exhibitors presented every conceivable product, machine, and service from our complex flower industry to more than 40,000 visitors. Breeders premiered many novelties, and new ideas were shared on how the sector can become even more efficient, more reliable, more sustainable, and more attractive.
Thursd at IPM Essen
Thursd was also present again in the mega booth of the FDF meeting with floral designers, breeders, growers, traders, and floral service providers.
It was good to see both the expected and the unexpected crowd at the booth, allowing the Thursd team to get new insights into the way the floral industry is developing; a perfect way to keep a finger on the pulse of what's happening in the field of product development, trends, and sustainability. FDF World has proven to be the perfect spot for this.
The next edition of this leading horticultural trade fair will take place from 27 to 30 January 2026. A survey during the event already showed that almost 9 out of 10 exhibitors have already committed and 93 percent of visitors plan to return. So, see you next year!
