Great Lakes Trade Exposition brings together more than 7,000 green-industry professionals

Great Lakes Trade Exposition, produced by Michigan Nursery & Landscape Association and Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, attracted more than 7,000 participants during its three day run, Jan. 10-12 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Todd Davis and Sarah Martinez of GIE Media’s Horticulture Group were on hand the first day of the Expo, which was packed with education sessions. Davis presented two talks, “Do your customers think you’re a bonehead” and “Brands are made to singe cows’ behinds. Do plant brands singe yours?” and also moderated a grower discussion on deciding what nursery crops to grow. Martinez presented “Garden Center Outlook 2011,” a talk outlining retail opportunities for the New Year.

“It was certainly an upbeat group,” said Davis, Nursery Management publisher . “I see a lot of excitement out there. Michigan growers have been through a lot in the past few years, but the overall feeling is that the worst is over. Things are getting better in 2011.”

The overall mood of attendees was optimistic. Exhibitors generally agreed they were looking forward to a more prosperous year in 2011.