Mumbai recently witnessed a grand flora, culture, and innovation celebration at the 17th International Flora Expo 2024, held from October 25th to 27th at the NESCO Exhibition Center in Goregaon (East). This three-day event, organized by Media Today, brought together a myriad of industry experts, government officials, international representatives, Bollywood celebrities, and flower enthusiasts. It provided a vital platform for showcasing floral art, greenhouse technologies, sustainable practices, and much more, all under one roof.
From thought-provoking panel discussions to hands-on workshops, the Expo celebrated India's emerging power in the floriculture industry. This international horticulture trade exhibition not only emphasized innovation but also presented processed flowers, pot plant production, and the latest trends in sustainability.
The Inaugural Day: Tradition, Tribute, and Innovation
The event began on October 25th, with actor Manish Paul leading the inauguration alongside esteemed dignitaries such as Vinita Sudhanshu, Jeetendra Pardeshi, Jack Goossens, and Treve Evans, both of AIPH. A touching floral tribute to the late Shri Ratan Tata ji marked a poignant start to the day, symbolizing respect for his influence on India's progress. The event's opening served as a gathering point for key figures from horticulture, government, and industry associations like AIPH, positioning the Expo as a meeting point for visionary leaders.
The day also saw an exciting series of workshops under the 'Nature in Miniature' banner. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in sessions on Bonsai, Culinary Botany, Ikebana, and Wildflower Diversity. These workshops aimed to deepen participants' appreciation for the artistry of floral arrangements, the culinary uses of botanical ingredients, and the cultural relevance of bonsai and wildflower arrangements.
In one particularly memorable presentation, Vijaya Chakraborty - Co-Founder and Principal Designer at Harit Landscape and Hariyali, spoke passionately about the potential of edible plants, highlighting that over 30,000 edible plants exist globally, many of which are waiting to be discovered for their culinary and medicinal benefits.
Day Two: The Global Conference on 'Plants, Places & People'
On October 26th, the Flora Expo hosted a significant Global Conference titled 'Plants, Places & People.' The conference served as a melting pot for international and local experts to discuss the intersection of plants, urban landscapes, and human well-being. The session began with a welcome address from Mr. S. Jafar Naqvi of Media Today Group and continued with engaging speeches from Mr. Jack Goossens, Mr. Treve Evans, and Prof. Arun D. Sawant.
Jack Goosens shared thought-provoking insights about the global floriculture market and where India fits into this growing space. Despite India being the second-largest consumer of flowers, Jack noted that the country's potential in the export-import market remains largely untapped. He optimistically stated, "India is growing. The real power of Indian floriculture is yet to be explored."
His comments were supported by his observations on shifting global production trends, particularly in Africa and East Asia. On a hopeful note, Jack also celebrated India's international achievements, such as Hyderabad winning the first AIPH World Green City Awards 2022, with Chengdu, China, taking home the award in 2024.
Since sustainability has been a hot topic of the year globally, even in floriculture, the panelists didn't back down from commenting on it. Mrs. Rashmi Attavar emphasized the rising trend of eco-friendly gifts and the increasing popularity of incorporating fresh flowers and plants into daily life. The emphasis on sustainable floral practices was echoed throughout the conference, highlighting the industry's collective push towards greener solutions. She also encouraged attendees to incorporate fresh blooms into their homes and events, emphasizing their cultural significance.
Mr. Jahir Hussain Basheer joined the conference virtually and offered a compelling case study of how Bangalore International Airport transformed its terminal landscape into a more greener environment using IoT technology - a testament to the impact of blending technology with greenery to achieve sustainable results.
Urban Greening and Sustainability Initiatives
The conversation on sustainability was a recurring theme throughout the second day, and one of the most striking discussions was led by Dr. Kantilal Wakte on the subject of vertical greening. He presented a compelling argument for integrating vertical gardens into urban gray spaces to bolster urban resilience and enrich our urban environments.
Ms. Bhakti Thakoor also contributed to the discussion with her take on 'green printing' - concept that integrates sustainable urban practices and has been successfully implemented in cities like Melbourne, New York, and Copenhagen.
Among the practical examples shared was the project by Mr. Samved Pradhan, who discussed the green landscaping of Hyderabad's Hussain Sagar Lakefront. He illustrated how landscaping architecture in Tier 1 cities can face unique challenges but also produce significant environmental and aesthetic value when approached with creativity and dedication.
The CEO's Conclave: Championing Sustainability and Innovation
The final day, October 27th, saw the much-anticipated Indian Floral Industry CEO’s Conclave, bringing together key players such as Mr. Srikanth Bollapally, Mr. Narendra Patil, Mr. Srikant Kanoi, and Mr. Jeetendra Pardeshi. The conclave was a dynamic arena where industry leaders discussed emerging trends, market demands, and technological advancements.
The first session was particularly impactful, featuring a panel discussion on Sustainable Floral Supply Chains. The discussion emphasized the critical role of sustainability, with panelists advocating for #saynotoplasticflowers. The debate also saw Mr. Arnold Wittkamp strongly advocate for the importance of plants and flowers for well-being, stating, 'Plants and Flowers are Good for you!'. He added his voice to the ongoing movement to ban plastic flowers, supporting initiatives in Mumbai and Maharashtra and furthering the campaign with the hashtag #saynotoplasticflowers to promote the use of real, eco-friendly blooms.
Members of the Grower's Flower Council also strongly endorsed this session, reiterated their commitment to supporting India's floral industry by promoting fresh, natural flowers. The discussion also touched upon banning plastic flower imports as a key step towards reducing environmental harm.
The panel discussion on E-commerce and Social Media in the Floral and Wedding Industry was another crowd favorite, with Mr. Tarun Joshi, CEO of Interflora, sharing fascinating insights into the logistics of running a floral e-commerce empire. With over 60 million flowers delivered in the past year, Interflora’s operations are a case study in managing scalability, efficiency, and quality. Tarun revealed that they had trained 1,000 florists across India and built a team of 4,000+ delivery partners, covering 500,000+ kilometers to deliver flowers across the nation—a remarkable feat that underlines the strength of e-commerce in bringing flowers to every corner of India.
For your information, we have already covered our 10 Questions interview with another Co-Founder of Interflora. Do check it out!
Bridging Floriculture and Popular Culture: The Role of Bollywood
Bollywood's influence was evident throughout the Expo, with stars like Manish Paul, Sushant Singh, and Arun Kadam adding a touch of glamor. Their presence was not just for show; it played an essential role in highlighting the cultural significance of flowers in everyday life. As Mr. Treve Evans from AIPH put it, "We are looking forward to expanding our network in India, and events like these, powered by popular cultural icons, help inspire the general public to connect more deeply with nature." This integration of floriculture with popular culture helped make the Expo an industry event and a celebration that resonated with the masses.
A Platform for Trade, Collaboration, and Innovation
The 17th International Flora Expo was more than just an exhibition—a convergence of trade, collaboration, and innovation. The event featured over 250 companies from sectors like floriculture, horticulture, and gardening, offering unmatched networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. Vendors, retail buyers, bulk buyers, landscape architects, interior designers, and others came together to discuss expanding their business avenues and exploring new opportunities for collaboration. The Bombay Exhibition Center came alive with displays on pot plant production, processed flowers, and conventional flower growing methods, emphasizing the diverse approaches within the floriculture industry.
The workshops, conferences, and conclaves ensured that there was something for everyone—from discussions on green roofs and vertical gardens to insights on market trends, technology integration, and the role of social media in promoting floral commerce. The workshop on butterfly gardening, led by Mr. Sham Gaidhane, demonstrated how even recreational activities could be used to benefit the environment, providing another dimension of practical sustainability that participants could incorporate into their work and lives.
The event also made significant strides in discussing how the gardening industry professionals could harness opportunities in India's domestic market, especially considering the growing purchasing power and the growing demand for sustainable and locally produced floral products.
17th International Flora Expo - A Blossoming Success
The 17th International Flora Expo celebrated the beauty of flowers and emphasized their vital role in sustainability, urban greening, and economic development. With insightful speeches, engaging workshops, and thought-provoking discussions, the Expo lived up to its promise of fostering growth in the floral sector while pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability. As Mr. Jack Goossens aptly said, "India's real power in floriculture is yet to be fully realized,"—and with events like these, the country is well on its way to achieving that potential.
The Expo proved that floriculture is more than just an industry—it is a cultural force that can connect people, enrich urban spaces, and inspire sustainable practices. For anyone passionate about flowers, sustainability, or the future of urban landscapes, this event left an indelible mark, echoing the sentiment that a blooming, green future is not just a vision but a possibility.
