IPM Essen is that one week at the end of January when the global green sector convenes in one place. From growers and breeders to tech, logistics, retail, and design – it’s all there, in one walkable maze of halls, conversations, and new ideas. The 2026 edition runs from January 27–30 at Messe Essen in Germany.
For florists, the big news is in Hall 5. IPM is introducing a fresh format called the IPM Flower Stage – a daily stage program built around live floristry, trend thinking, and retail reality. And because it sits inside Hall 5, which is dubbed the 'Creative Hall', it’s not just a ‘watch and walk away’ moment. It’s surrounded by floral suppliers, displays, and concept areas you can actually use back home.
This Is the New IPM Flower Stage in Hall 5
If you remember ‘FDF World’ from previous editions, think of the IPM Flower Stage as the next step. The core remains: a well-known revolving stage, strong craftsmanship, and international showmanship. But the concept is broader now. The stage is open to all exhibitors and institutions from across the green sector, not only floristry organizations, which means more variety in the program and more chances to connect products to real design and retail use.
Messe Essen positions Hall 5 as the creative center for floristry, design, and forward-looking ideas in the market. In practice, that means you can bounce between a live show, a supplier visit, a trend display, and a retail concept walkthrough without leaving the hall. In other words, the IPM Flower Stage program is built like a good florist’s week: a mix of hands-on, business-focused sessions and pure creative fuel.
On the practical side, Ekaflor offers four sessions addressing the daily challenges of modern floristry and retail. Ekaflor is the largest purchasing association for florists and retail outlets in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Expect topics such as social media and what it really does for your business, selling around the clock (and how to move from idea to execution), building profitable customer workshops, and improving margins by redesigning existing sales areas rather than rebuilding everything from scratch.
Curtains Up for the Shows!
Then there’s the show layer – and this is where Hall 5 starts pulling a crowd. The Professional Association of German Florists (FDF) is bringing international floral designers with distinct styles and a strong stage presence:
Brenna Quan and Sue Tabbal-Yamaguchi (Hawaii) bring ‘The Spirit of Aloha’, hosted by TV florist Björn Kroner – expect an exotic, island-led approach to color, form, and movement.
‘Floristry International – Pure Perfection Passion’ pairs designers from Estonia, Belgium, and England (Yulia Medvedyeva, Stefan Van Berlo, and Joseph Massie) for event floristry with a strong technical backbone.
‘She Blooms’ launches as a new initiative creating space for female role models, with Hanneke Frankema (Netherlands), Sara-Lisa Ludvigsson (Sweden), and Elisabeth Schoenemann (Germany) presenting their ‘Flower Riot’ show.
Cross-border teamwork continues with Carles Jubany Fontanillas (Spain) and Johann Obendrauf (Austria) in ‘FLOOS – The Crafter’s Secret’, built around collaboration and craft-forward design choices.
Beyond the headline shows, the stage also includes idea-driven formats like ‘Flower up your ideas – Design, Styles and Trends 2026’, a final-day impromptu performance titled ‘Floristry - creative.diverse.lively - just like Life’, and the closing award moment: the IPM Trade Fair Cup 2026 ceremony on Friday.
The takeaway for florists is simple: you can come for inspiration, but you’ll also leave with workable angles – how to translate a stage concept into a shop window, which mechanics hold up for events, what styling directions are moving into the next season, and how the retail conversation is evolving.
The Creative Hall Combo: Trends, Concepts, And New Retail Thinking
While the Flower Stage is the anchor of the floral event, you will find Hall 5 set up as a whole creative ecosystem.
One key stop is BLOOM’s Trend Show 2026, which lays out five style directions that connect floristry with fashion and interiors. The themes range from soft minimalism (‘Gentle & Mindful’) and warm earth-driven palettes (‘Terra & Comfort’), to an urban sustainable mix (‘Greenish & Divers’), raw elemental design (‘Pure & Elemental’), and a lighter, playful seasonal mood (‘Refreshed & Positive’).
Right next to that kind of trend guidance, the IPM Discovery Center brings POS concepts to life. It’s curated to show how products and plants can be placed and sold in realistic retail settings, with themes tied to megatrends and more sustainable materials. It’s aimed at garden centers, green retail, and even food retail, making it relevant if you sell beyond classic bouquets and want stronger in-store storytelling.
And if you like scanning for add-on ranges and quick-selling extras, the Creative Hall also includes floristry suppliers and an IPM Concept Store setup.
How To Get The Most Out of the IPM Flower Stage?
If you’re planning your days at IPM, treat the Flower Stage like a fixed meeting point. Go early for the business sessions, come back later for the international shows, and use the gaps to talk to suppliers while the ideas are still fresh.
Also worth noting: the program is designed to sustain the exchange, not just performances. IPM even schedules a Florist Get-together at the stage on Thursday evening, which is basically the easiest networking plan you’ll have all week.
One last tip: stage schedules can shift as the fair gets closer. If you’re building your visit around specific shows or talks, keep an eye on IPM’s online program updates before you travel.
Visit IPM Flower Stage
The world's leading horticultural trade fair is thus creating a place where creativity, market inspiration, and sustainable concept solutions come together to create a diverse overall experience. The 2026 edition runs from January 27–30 at Messe Essen in Germany, with opening hours 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on Friday.
