德国埃森国际植物、园艺技术、花卉及营销专业展览会（IPM ESSEN），是世界规模最大、水平最高、最具影响力的国际植物专业展会之一，该展从1982开始举办，每年一届在埃森国际展览中心举行，展出内容涉及植物技术、园艺资材温室设备、花卉花艺及销售几大主题，在国际植物园艺界占有举足轻重的地位。
该展会的展出面积达15万平方米，来自近50个国家的1500多家国际知名企业和参展商在16个展厅展示了其最新植物品种、园艺技术、花艺作品等，并有世界著名花艺设计师现场表演。吸引了来自世界90多个国的6万名专业贸易观众参观采购，其中74%以上为该领域专业人士及企业高层决策人。根据欧洲园艺协会和展览会统计，参展商和采购商每年约有85％的贸易合同和采购协议在展会现场签订，该展会是国际园艺植物界最重要的贸易桥梁。
开发欧洲市场走向世界，获得贸易机会，展示自身形象，了解最新行业流行趋势及高科技信息，每年埃森国际植物展将是各国植物园艺专业人士不容错过的世界盛会。
展品范围(Show Products):
各类绿色植物、观叶植物、盆花水，水栽植物，鲜切花；种子、种苗、种球；观赏苗木、草坪，苗圃；泥炭土、花肥、介质、病虫害防止等；花艺，手工花艺，花卉装饰，花园，绢花，花篮，花盆，插花布，干花，人造花，装饰植物；温室设备，灌溉设备，盆栽及包装机械、园林机械、保鲜技术及设备等；包装材料、园艺资料、园艺工具、专业出版物、网站；世界著名花艺设计师现场表演；专业技术讲座及专业论坛。
展会报告(Show Reports):
IPM ESSEN 2024 Shines on Its 40th Anniversary
Climate-resilient plants took center stage at the world's leading horticultural trade fair
The International Plant Fair IPM ESSEN continues to make history: Despite a nationwide rail strike, approximately 36,000 trade visitors attended the Essen Trade Fair from January 23 to 26, 2024, to explore innovations in the areas of plants, technology, floristry, and equipment presented by 1,403 exhibiting companies from 43 countries. The 40th edition of the world's leading horticultural trade fair was distinguished once again by the notably high quality of its professional audience. Significant interest was directed towards climate-resilient and biodiversity-promoting plants, as well as innovations for resource-efficient production. In comparison to the previous year, IPM ESSEN 2024 experienced an increase in the internationality of its audience.
"The green industry once again demonstrated its relevance to contemporary issues at the 40th IPM ESSEN. Horticulture is powerful and innovative, as we have seen and proven over these four days," reflects Eva Kähler-Theuerkauf, President of the State Association of Horticulture North Rhine-Westphalia and Chairwoman of the IPM Trade Fair Advisory Board.
The fact that IPM ESSEN is the leading platform for the international horticulture sector to plan for the upcoming season, place orders, or make investments is evident in the 71 percent high proportion of trade visitors with purchasing and procurement competencies within their own companies. In 2023, this figure stood at 66 percent. "This is precisely what makes a high-caliber trade fair. Despite the ongoing rail strike significantly restricting travel, the right visitors were on site," explains Oliver P. Kuhrt, CEO of Messe Essen.
Sustainability Along the Entire Value Chain
Approximately 30 percent of visitors placed orders during the fair, while over 60 percent plan to make purchases based on the information obtained at IPM ESSEN. The list of buyers primarily featured new and innovative plant breeds. Currently trending are climate-resilient species that can withstand heavy rain and heat – a factor increasingly significant in both private gardens and urban green spaces. The guided tours focusing on climate-resistant trees and insect-friendly perennials attracted a large number of attendees.
Sustainability was also a recurring theme in the technology exhibition area. The Innovation Center for Horticultural Technology, for instance, provided information on peat substitutes and resource-efficient production. Automation processes have also seen an increase in horticulture, with the importance of artificial intelligence growing. At IPM ESSEN, innovations such as a watering robot and solutions for automated weed control were presented. The new special exhibition "Utility Vehicles" featured electric-powered mobile solutions for use in horticulture.
The IPM Discovery Center showcased how sustainable solutions, such as biodegradable materials for packaging and plant pots, can be integrated into the trade and how customers can be enthused about green products in the future. Sustainable floristry was also in focus at the FDF-World. The Professional Association of German Florists – Federal Association (FDF) provided inspiration in its creative area, demonstrating how trend topics can be translated into one's own business. The IPM Concept Store displayed products for meaningful assortment additions in the green retail sector.
IPM ESSEN 2024: Platform for Green Industry Awards
once again, IPM ESSEN served as the stage for numerous awards, where the industry annually honors its best. The kick-off on the first day of the fair was the Novelties Showcase by the Central Association of Horticulture (ZVG) for newly bred plants and new wild and growth forms. The winners included Catharanthus roseus 'Soirée® White' from MNP/Suntory (category Bed and Balcony Plants); Pericallis cruentus Mandala® Plus Magic Purple from Dümmen Orange (Spring Bloomers); Zygopetalum 'Oxygen Optimistic' (AK8) from Alpha Orchids Breeding (Blooming Indoor Plants); Aloe vera Medivera from Amigo Plant (Green Indoor Plant); Helleborus hybrida Frostkiss Vibey Velvet from AllPlant (Perennials); Eutrema japonicum 'Hana Utogi' from FitzGerald Nurseries Lt (Balcony Fruit/Vegetables); Pyracantha coccinea 'Orange Star' from Hoogeveen Plants (Shrubs); and Mangave Mad about Mangave® 'Praying Hands' from Cactusmania di Manera Bruno in Ventimiglia, Italy (Special Prize). The Audience Award also went to Eclipse Bigleaf Hydrangea from First Editions by Bailey Nurseries International from Minnesota.
A premiere at IPM ESSEN was the Best Practice Award in collaboration with FDF for practical products in the floristry trade. In the Design and Trend category, the company LiveTrends Design Group Europe Ap received the award for the trend, "The Botanist." In the category of Technology and Tools in Floristic Practice, Newwen won with the Flowerbox. Baza Seeds Holland's Seed Advent Calendar emerged as the winner in the Accessories and Gift Items category, and Wepot's clay amphora "Olla S" won in the Sustainability category. Capi Europe's flower pot received two awards, one in the categories of Indoor Decoration and "The Vessel."
The Show Your Colours Award, presented by BIZZ Communications and Messe Essen, honored the best storytelling for a plant. The award went to the garden rose Rosa Hybrid Plant'n'Relax from Roses Forever in Faaborg, Denmark. According to the jury, the climbing rose with a frame delivers exactly what its name promises: planting and relaxation.
The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and FloraCulture International (FCI) awarded the International Grower of the Year Award to the best in ornamental plant production. This year, the coveted award went to the British wholesale nursery Greenwood Plants.
The series of awards concluded on the last day with the IPM Messe-Cup, where the North Rhine-Westphalia State Association of FDF and the North Rhine-Westphalia State Association of Horticulture honored the best floral arrangements. Lilli Kramer from Kramer Garten & Ambiente in Buchholz, Germany emerged as the winner in the combination competition.
High Intentions for Return Visits
Overall, trade visitors evaluated the offerings of IPM ESSEN 2024 very positively, with 87 percent giving ratings of one to three. Ninety-one percent would recommend attending, and an equal percentage expressed the intention to visit IPM ESSEN again. Among the exhibiting companies, the percentage was also high at 87 percent. The next IPM ESSEN is scheduled to take place from January 28 to 31, 2025, at Messe Essen.
