Dec. 1, 2011, Niagara Falls — This year’s move by the Canadian
Greenhouse Conference into the new Scotiabank Conference Centre in
Niagara Falls paid off in a soldout trade show and significantly higher
attendance.
Dec. 1, 2011, Niagara Falls — This year’s move by the Canadian Greenhouse Conference into the new Scotiabank Conference Centre in Niagara Falls paid off in a soldout trade show and significantly higher attendance.
The conference began in 1979 in facilities at the University of Guelph, before it moved to Toronto in 2001 where it stayed until 2010.
Attendace rose to more than 2,325 last year, the highest totals in quite some time. Highlights included:
• Wednesday keynote speaker Jim Brandle, CEO of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, outlined the strategic research focus that’s proving successful for them. There can be “no gaps,” he said, “in the innovation pipeline.” A major focus is on automation.
• Thursday keynote speaker Jim Hole outlined the planning that went into the newly opened The Enjoy Centre near Edmonton, a multi-faceted retail facility anchored by the family’s garden centre and greenhouses.
• Garden centre retailing guru John Stanley led an all-day workshop, which was also well attended.
• A special networking reception was held at the Greg Frewin Theatre, featuring one of North America’s leading illusionists.
The pre-conference bus tour included flower and vegetable greenhouses, with a focus on new technologies.
Best booth award winners included Rijk Zwaan, Northern Innovators, Zwart Systems, GGS, JVK and OMAFRA.
Special presentations were made to veteran committee member Alison Robertson, who has stepped down from the board, and to conference coordinator Bob Cobbledick who has retired after 15 years of helping guide the show.
Next year’s conference will be held Oct. 3-4.
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| CGC “retirees” Alison Robertson and Bob Cobbledick are congratulated by CGC chairperson Sandy Carlton (at right). |
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| Howard Huy of Rijk Zwaan booth accepts a best booth award (Plant Material, Single Booth) from trade fair committee member Wayne Brown. |
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| Leigh Harrison and Doug Moore of GGS accept a Best Technology Display award (at least 300 sq ft) from trade fair committee member Wayne Brown. |
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| Stephanie Smith and Felicia Vandervelde of Northern Innovators with a Plant Material (100 to 300 sq ft in size) award presented by CGC trade fair committee member Wayne Brown. |
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| Trade fair committee member Wayne Brown presents a Technology Display award (single booth) to OMAFRA representatives Gillian Ferguson and Graeme Murphy. |
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| Chris Johnston of JVK accepts a best booth award (Plant Material, larger than 300 sq ft) from trade fair committee member Wayne Brown |
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| Wayne Brown presents a Technology Display award (100 to 300 sq ft) to Rob Vandersteen and Andrew Van Geest of Zwart Systems. |
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