For the second day in a row, heavy attendance was the big story at New England Grows. By the conclusion of the day Thursday, 11,696 industry professionals had flocked to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center to participate in trade show and educational activities. If Friday’s final-day numbers match those of their predecessors, the 2012 event will be the best-attended in show history.
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And on its 20th birthday, no less.
“This is great,” said New England Grows President Rich Clark. “We couldn’t be happier with the way the show has gone so far. And we look forward to another great turnout [Friday]. The industry is definitely responding to the show in a very positive manner, and that is very gratifying to everyone who has had a part in making the show what it is.”
What it was Thursday was busy, both in the classrooms and on the trade show floor. On the former front, education sessions were held for practically every segment of the industry. Retailers had their big day on Wednesday with the second annual “Garden Center Success” program. Thursday, growers learned of new plants, advanced pruning techniques and of diseases affecting plants, while landscapers were offered sessions on effective design strategies.
Retailers weren’t left out of the mix, however, as there were a number of new products on display on the trade show floor. Here are six items that were garnering special attention the past two days.
The kneeling soldier at the cross from Athens Stonecasting is a relatively new design that now comes in various finishes. It measures 22 inches (H) x 20 inches (W) x 11 inches (D), weighs 71 pounds and has been a particular favorite as a memorial or tribute to families of military personnel.
High Caliper Growing has enjoyed tremendous success with its Smart Pot fabric growing container – the company’s sign at the show, which said “Smart Pots: Not Made in China,” had almost everyone howling. And now the company is marketing the Big Bed Bag. The fabric raised bed is simple to use – just fold, fill and water – and because it is a fabric container it gives plants’ root balls total aeration and excellent drainage, resulting in healthier plants.
A&B Home’s booth featured a wide range of unusual containers and home accents. The former category was filled with new designs being introduced for 2012. Containers are frequently prominent "players" at trade shows, but this company’s lines were particularly popular with female show goers. Translation: They will sell well at most garden centers.
Miniature garden accents are red hot, and Georgetown Home & Garden’s booth was a red hot spot each of the first two days of the show – largely because of the company’s miniature garden accessories. A company official said Georgetown had record sales on the items during the recent AmericasMart market in Atlanta, and she said business at New England Grows was following the same pattern.
Prides Corner Farms had a display featuring Sara’s Superb Herbs, a line of aromatic plants that are billed as the biggest, beefiest herbs on the market. And that’s just part of the allure. They also benefit a great cause, Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks, and the work that organization does to provide an outdoor recreational experience for physically challenged children and adults. For each full, fragrant, fluffy, ready-to-use Sara’s Superb Herbs item you buy, Prides Corner contributes 50 cents to Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks.
As if all that’s not enough, the containers are “way cool,” as the plants are outfitted in a showy Sara’s Superb Herbs plant branded pot while sporting a unique, compelling tag.
The Footprint plants from Overdevest Nurseries are just about all plants can be, marketing-wise: They’re beautiful, decorative patio plants that are grown in an eco-friendly manner. Then they’re presented in elegant, rice-bamboo fiber containers with biodegradable tags. That proved a winning combination at the show, just as it likely will be a winning combination at garden centers – and in gardens – across the country.