The 31st edition of international trade fair GrootGroenPlus in Zundert, The Netherlands and meeting point for the nursery sector were ‘live’ on 6-8 October 2021 and combined with a digital program and very expansive participant profiles, including a search engine of the current stock of all participants. The atmosphere was great again, and that is what GrootGroenPlus is known for an excellent relationship platform. GGP has never taken any risks, but made some careful decisions to take more measures than strictly necessary. Many participants and visitors have been asked about their experience, and they were all very excited to be able to see each other, to see the living products, to smell the products, to be able to meet clients.
Participants were proud to be able to show their products again and tell people about them. The trade fair had 220 participants, with a route of 1 kilometre. A little less than normal, due to the limited number of square metres and rules for maintaining the flow. There was a technical area, novelties, and award ceremonies for multiple awards, such as the Jan van Dongen and Jac Lodders Awards, the Zunderts Groen Imago Prijs, the Boomfeestdag label, the medals for novelties and the KVBC Awards. KVBC Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society’s goal is to ‘share green knowledge’. KVBC wants to reach the entire chain doing that; from grower to retail and consumer.
The KVBC handed out seven KVBC awards that were awarded during last season. Lavandula intermedia ‘Niko’ (PHENOMENAL), submitted by Plantipp BV, IJsselstein, received a bronze medal. Cortaderia selloana ‘Day2’ (TINY PAMPA GOLD), submitted by Van Vliet New Plants BV, Stroe, Hydrangea paniculata ‘LC NO8’ (LIVING LITTLE BLOSSOM), Hydrangea paniculata ‘LC NO11’ (LIVING SUGAR RUSH) and Hydrangea paniculata ‘LC NO14’ (LIVING PINK & ROSE); all by Alex Schoemaker Living Creations, Boskoop, received silver medals. The Hydrangea paniculata ‘LC NO12’ (LIVING PINKY PROMISE) by Alex Schoemaker Living Creations, Boskoop and the Hydrangea paniculata ‘Breg14’ (POLESTAR) by Breederplants V.O.F., Reeuwijk, won the golden KVBC awards.
A brief presentation was illustrated by the chairman of the fair David Bömer about the cooperative association Treeport with LTO Nederland and its participation to the next Floriade 2022 in Almere with the theme ‘Growing Green Cities’, inspired by Zundert, birthplace of the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh.
The number of international visitors was also striking. Many countries and languages were represented. Tree growers, architects, garden centres, gardeners, and traders knew how to find their way to the participants. Does knowing the numbers and percentages make a difference? It is a special, one-time edition. Not to be compared with previous years, and hopefully not with future editions. However, to give an idea: on Wednesday, 32% of all visitors were counted, 38% on Thursday and 30% on Friday. 30% of all visitors were international, of which 42% from Belgium, 12% from Germany, 7% from Poland, 6% from France, 4% from England, 3.5% from Ukraine, 3.5% from Italy, 2.5% from Denmark. The rest was divided over another 22 countries. Of the trade visitors, 60% indicated to be owner of the business in name of which they visited the trade fair. 49% were growers or producers, the rest suppliers, technical, government, education, gardeners, green organisations, and architects.
GrootGroenPlus is very grateful for the patience and involvement of participants, suppliers, and press. Without them, it could not have been done. Grateful for the confidence of the thousands of visitors Now, it is possible to register for Groenbeurs Zundert on 19 and 20 January 2022 and trade fair GrootGroenPlus on 5-7 October 2022, using the registration forms on the websites.
The Flora Journal 