Mid-Am 2010 Exceeds Expectations Excerpted from Green Side Up, a WGIF publication March 2010

 

In a down economy, a trade show floor might well be a tomb of lost opportunity. But that wasn’t the case in Chicago at this year’s

Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show, held January 20th through the 22nd at McCormick Place West. Exhibitors and attendees alike reveled in the energy that hints at better days ahead.

“I can’t remember a Friday that was ever as busy with attendees. Wednesday and Thursday, the aisles were full of people. It is the best Mid-Am show that I’ve seen in four or five years,” remarked Jeff Tillmann of Tillmann Wholesale Growers, Inc. of New Franken, Wisconsin.

The temperate weather, especially compared to last year’s frigid conditions, was also an improvement this year. But the positivity of those who attended is what buoyed exhibitors. John Hendle of Dayton Bag & Burlap Company, of Union, Illinois, noticed more energy from attendees, and much more optimism than last year, adding that the quality of the buyers was much better as well.   “I’ve been pleasantly surprised. It’s the best show in years. Good stuff!” he added.  Chris Lufkin of The Scotts Company admitted that his expectations were low coming in to the show, but that “it exceeded my expectations.”

In fact, this year’s Mid-Am realized a respectable 2.3-percent gain in buyer registrations (non-exhibitors). Total registration was 7,931 with 5,972 buyers, 1,546 exhibitors, and 413 others, which is approximately an 8 percent increase in attendance.

If you are into statistics, there’s more. Of the buyers, more than 32-percent were owners or corporate officials and nearly 28-percent  were managers or supervisors. The well-qualified audience of industry professionals revealed that nearly 46-percent of the companies performed landscape services, including landscape design, tree care, irrigation, hardscape installation, and park and golf course maintenance, more than 15-percent were growers, more than 15-percent were suppliers, and nearly 4 percent were retailers. There were registrants from forty states and seven foreign countries.

Numbers aside, the feeling of vendors was positive. There were stories of sales, leads and plenty of solid contacts. De Vroomen Garden Products, who supplied the daffodil and tulip bulbs for Lambeau Field in Green Bay this year, took Mid-Am as an opportunity to introduce a new program and was pleased with the outcome.

“We introduced a new program this year which was received extremely well. It’s a cost efficient program that we developed for independent garden centers,” reported De Vroomen’s Richard Walsh. The sales he made at the show added to his satisfaction with this year’s Mid-Am. “I took an order for $50,000 worth of spring bulbs. It’s been a really good show.”

Over 680 people attended the educational programs, well above the number recorded last year. And the Mid-Am Mixer was a popular event, as well. Hundreds of industry members came together for the reception, sponsored by Syngenta, Mariani Nurseries, the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Midwest Groundcovers and Midwest Trading Horticultural Supplies, Inc., Hsu Greenhouse & Landscape Supply, Bayer Environmental Science, Harrell’s Fertilizer, the Illinois Arborist Association, David J. Frank Landscape Contracting, Hoffie Nursery, Johnson’s Nursery, Inc., and Manning-Walsh Legislative Consulting Group. It was a great opportunity to socialize and relax after a day on the trade show floor.

IGIA President Ann Tosovsky reminds all of those who attended this year’s Mid-Am to thank your suppliers and to buy from those vendors who exhibit at the show, adding that the revenue from Mid-Am goes a long way to support our associations, including WGIF. And if you buy from someone who doesn’t exhibit at the show, please ask them to consider participating in 2011.
Speaking of 2011, keep January 19th through the 21st open so that you can experience Mid-Am when it returns home to Navy Pier! A favorite to attendees and all who visit this historic place, Navy Pier will provide a dramatic backdrop for WGIF’s big event. Entertainment possibilities, the variety of dining opportunities, the IMAX Theater, the Chicago Children’s Museum, and open-air ice skating will keep you busy when you are not attending the convention at this centrally located Chicago landmark.

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Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show	Media Contact:
1000 N. Rand Rd.	Nancy Molenda, Communications Manager
Suite 214	E-mail: nmolenda@tso.net
Wauconda, IL  60051	Phone: 847.526.2010 ext. 227
www.midam.org	Fax: 847.526.3993