Western Show to expand scope in 2011

The Western Nursery and Landscape Association will expand and rebrand its successful annual tradeshow and conference “The WESTERN.” Beginning Jan. 9-10, 2011, the event will become the National Green Centre and will begin alternating locales between St. Louis and Kansas City.

“This rebranding will build upon the historical success of the Western while expanding the event to serve the national nursery, lawn and garden retail, and landscape contractor markets,” said Executive Director Sarah Woody Bibens.

The 2010 event features a vastly expanded educational program, featuring five concurrent educational programs with an internationally acclaimed faculty of speakers.

“As the horticulture markets continue to change, the need for a powerful, national event to help bring the industry together and provide deep and meaningful educational programming and networking opportunities has never been greater,” said Jim Mason of Country Landscapes and 2010 WNLA association president. “By alternating between St. Louis and Kansas City we’ll be delivering a conference in the center of the country and maximizing the potential for growth, as the fact is a third of the country’s population is within one day’s drive of St. Louis. The center of the U.S. is ideal for a true national conference.”

The tradeshow at the conference has typically featured some 400 industry suppliers from throughout the United States and Canada, providing a tremendous showcase of products and services for industry growers, retailers and contractors. Combining this show floor with the five educational tracks provides a learning and networking event unmatched anywhere in the country.

Future National Green Centre events will alternate between the world class America’s Center in downtown St. Louis and the same Overland Park, Kansas location the industry has come to know over the years.

The National Green Centre will become the industry’s premier national event for education and trade by featuring:

• World-class education -- Five education streams will address the diverse needs of retailers, growers of all types and industry contractors. The core of the program will be designed to focus on timely business topics, innovative industry trends and provide critical insight in complex times. Topics to be addressed in 2010 include social media marketing, new plant introductions, stormwater management, university research, energy efficiency, design workshops, lean flow, wind turbine technology and more.

• Exhibitors from throughout the United States and Canada featuring the new products you need.

• Industry information via our weekly e-newsletter to 10,000 inboxes every Monday morning.

To find out more about the National Green Centre, sign up for WNLA's weekly e-newsletter, featuring national industry information. Other options include:

• Visit the show  Web site.

• Follow the show on Twitter, friend it on Facebook, connect with it on LinkedIn, and/or subscribe to the show's YouTube feed.

• Call (888) 233-1876.

• Email exhibits@nationalgreencentre.org for exhibit information.