This year's International Floriculture Trade Fair was a feast for the eye. The halls of Expo Greater Amsterdam were filled with the most beautiful flowers from all corners of the world. This is a report of how the floral industry united for three days in a tiny Dutch town with a big exhibition venue.
Three Days of Floral Feelgood
There's nothing that beats flowers at their best. Walking around at the Expo for three days is not enough to stay amazed at the beauty of all the colors Mother Nature has for us.
The message that they sent across the halls was clear: Flowers are good for you! They contribute to well-being in many ways: by bringing prosperity to thousands of workers earning a living in the industry as well as conveying positive emotions to consumers buying and getting these flowers.
The World Gathers at the International Floriculture Trade Fair
The whole world was there in Vijfhuizen's venue. Walking around at the fair, you'd pass by all the breeders and growers that matter from Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, and the USA, before passing by the European companies from Italy, Spain, France, Denmark, Turkey, and—naturally—the Netherlands. Next stop: Africa represented by many producers from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda, finally turning to Asia where the most delicious flowers from India, South Korea, and Japan took the stage.
Over three days the fair attracted 24,829 visitors from 128 countries who were meeting old friends and getting to know new ones. The atmosphere in the corridors was loose and relaxed, and a good conversation about the flowers, machinery, techniques, and the industry as a whole was never far away. Every day ended with a toast to the prosperity of the mutual business.
Flowers Love People, People Love Flowers
Yes, the industry is under some pressure to give an answer to the criticism of a minority group of people who would rather buy plastic flowers or none at all than understand the emotional and economic significance of flowers. That topic was brought to the table on the eve of the IFTF during the annual Floriforum, where representatives from all levels of the industry met and discussed. The conclusion could be no other than that everyone who is involved in the flower business should speak out, and tell the story of how flowers love people and that (the far majority of the) people love flowers.
All photos by Rob Metsers and courtesy of HPP Exhibitions, unless otherwise noted.
