The Search for Unique
by Danny Summers
If you are like me, late this week I will head to Columbus, Ohio to Cultivate'25. It is one of the industry's largest trade shows and the creation of our national trade association, American Horticulture Association (aka AmericanHort).
A Little Backstory: If you are relatively new to the industry, Cultivate has its origins as the Ohio Short Course, produced by the Ohio Florists Association or OFA, and commonly known for years as The Short Course. Ironically, there really wasn't anything "short" about it. While it had some "florist" related sessions, the event grew into the nation's largest show for greenhouse growers. They were the main targeted attendee, and therefore most of the exhibitors were offering everything a greenhouse grower would need to produce annuals and any other greenhouse-produced plant types.
AmericanHort was founded January 1, 2014, through the consolidation of the American Nursery and Landscape Association (ANLA) and OFA – The Association of Horticultural Professionals (formerly known as the Ohio Florists Association). The Short Course became Cultivate shortly after.
Today, while you will see the greenhouse-related exhibits The Short Course was known for, Cultivate now also includes almost every other segment of horticulture and especially the very best plant brands our retailers offer.
And educational sessions are even larger today, as Cultivate'25 offers 108 sessions just for Garden Retailers alone! You can check them out HERE.
The Search for Unique:
If you will be at Cultivate'25 and working the show floor on Sunday, I encourage you to sign up to be a part of our Retailers' Choice Awards™.
It is a very enjoyable and productive activity. I will give you a nomination form ahead of time, you work the show at your own pace, noting any plant or product you wish to nominate, and take a couple of photos. We meet at the end of the day to see what you and others have found. You meet peer retailers, see everything others have found (and you missed) and you get the entire list of nominations and vote on your choices overnight.
What could be better? You get to meet peer retailers and get their help on searching for the very best new plants or products. Plus, you get the Full List of Nominations to see the next day. I hope to see you there - Sign Up Here!
And if you are at Cultivate'25 on Monday morning, you have the opportunity to also see Tim Quebedeaux as he presents "Profitable Retail-Growing: Strategies for Success". Registration is required. Check it out HERE.
The Retailer's Choice Awards Presentation: Even if you were not with us for the Retailers' Choice Awards nominations and judging session, on Monday at 3:00pm, you can at least attend the Retailers' Choice Awards Presentation and see the 15 winning Unique Plants and Products our Garden Retailers want to carry and offer next spring.
Retailers' Choice Awards Presentation - Monday, July 14, 3:00pm - Cultivate Live! Stage, located in the front right corner of A-Hall (adjacent to booth 3503).
The Search for Unique is a big part of our passion for plants and gardening, and it is wonderful to share it with you... See you in Columbus!
Sharing is at the heart of The Group and your ideas are very important. If you have any trouble logging into The Group WebSystem, please let me know. Are you and your staff all subscribed to our eLists such as GroupEs, Retail-Grower, Retail-Landscape, Owners-Only, and a number of others? Need help subscribing? Let me know so I can show you how you can sign up.
Danny Summers
[email protected]
Tel: 678-909-7770
Cell: 678-761-7145
REMEMBER: Your interaction (by phone and email) with Group Service Providers such as Tim Quebedeaux, Sid Raisch, John Kennedy, Jean Seawright, and of course Danny Summers are included in your retainer!
