July 21, Columbus, OH — Nearly 9,000 people from more than 25 countries gathered here earlier this month for the OFA Short Course, horticulture’s premier convention and marketplace.
“Horticulture professionals from across the world know that the OFA Short Course is the place to get business solutions to keep their business competitive and profitable,” said Michael V. Geary, CAE, OFA’s chief executive officer.
“In spite of the poor spring weather in numerous areas of the United States, the challenging economic conditions, and the event being organized during the week of a national holiday, participation held strong and was consistent with last year.”
The OFA Short Course featured 130 educational sessions, workshops, tours, learning labs, and numerous entertainment and social events for growers, garden centre retailers, interior plantscapers, florists, and emerging professionals. An expanded focus this year was the Garden Centre Live! area, which featured an interactive marketing lab, merchandising displays, and a merchandising contest.
The sold-out exhibition, the largest all-industry horticulture trade show in the United States, connected buyers and sellers, showcased the latest in equipment and plant material, and provided a global perspective on horticulture.
Next year’s Short Course will take place on July 14-17.
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