FORT LAUDERDALE, USA, January 20, 2010: In a time when business is conducted over cell phones and the web, over 6,100 industry professionals connected to tropicals in-person at the 2010 Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition. After a recent cold spell in Florida, TPIE attendees from around the U.S. and the globe were greeted by sunny, warm skies and colorful, vibrant plants and flowers at TPIE, held January 14 – 16 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This year’s TPIE attendance was comparable to last year’s; however, the show saw a 5 percent increase in buyers. On par with LEED initiatives and the trend to use plants indoors, this year’s show saw 32 percent more interiorscapers walking the show floor, and 16 percent more growers/brokers than last year.
“It looks like TPIE is setting the tone for a great 2010,” said Rachel Tippit, with Driftwood Gardens, Inc. of Apopka, FL, and the chairperson of the 2010 TPIE committee. “Orders are being made, the aisles are full – everyone is optimistic for what this new year holds. For people who haven’t attended TPIE, this is the place to be for tropicals whether you exhibit or attend the show.”
TPIE invited attendees to “Get Connected to Tropicals” in the 200,000 square foot exhibit hall which featured the greatest collection of tropical plants available anywhere in the country. Over 500 companies exhibiting at TPIE showcased a wide range of tropical plants and related products. “The booths on the show floor this year are outstanding. Our exhibitors went above and beyond to showcase their plants and products,” said Tippit.
In a time of economic downturn, TPIE breathed new life into many exhibiting businesses. Serious-minded wholesale and retail buyers placed orders on the spot with the exhibiting companies that presented their 2010 palate of lush tropical plants.
“The quality of the attendees was outstanding for our evolving nursery business. We took orders on the show floor, but far more importantly for us, we felt a great deal of optimism about 2010 after we received a good number of very specific commitments for this coming spring and beyond,” said Sanford Stein of The Jungle Nursery, Inc. in Homestead, FL.
Opening Day kicked off with a high energy session titled “Tropical Plant Revue: Think Outside the Pot.” Combining the world’s most exciting and diverse tropical plants with the talents of world-class floral designers, American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) Deborah De La Flor AIFD and J Paul Jaras AIFD presented creative ways to use tropicals. Later, their creations were on display in the main lobby for everyone to enjoy.
In addition to the eye-catching displays on the exhibit floor, TPIE Short Course sessions offered more opportunities to focus on tropicals. Several sessions featured new ways business owners could promote their plants and products. Dr. Bodie V. Pennisi, of the University of Georgia revealed the Power of Plants as she shared research results from Project Carbon, a study being conducted to provide supporting data to substantiate the argument for using indoor plants as part of sustainable certification programs such as LEED. George Irwin of Green Living Technologies led a session on Growing Trends for Green Walls which talked about the increased interest for green walls in the marketplace.  A luncheon on Thursday highlighted speaker Jeffrey K. Hansler who motivated the audience to build powerful and persuasive communication skills.  Attendees packed the room for a Greenwall Workshop that offered four different industry greenwall systems and the opportunity to see how they work.  This session was approved for USGBC/LEED AP credits.
Prior to the show, the TPIE Road Show took attendees to Homestead, FL for the day to visit local tropical foliage nurseries. The tour visited Florida Ornamentals, Costa Farms, R.F.Orchids and Bullis Bromeliads.  Attendees had the opportunity to see growing facilities for tropical foliage, bromeliads, orchids as well as a special visit to Costa Color to see their annual trial gardens.
Back at the show, TPIE’s free demonstrations were moved to a room off the trade show floor this year. Held all three days of the show, topics such as A Dozen Can’t Miss TPIE Products: Retail and Easy Water Features: Pot Fountains showcased various parts of the industry while educating attendees. On Friday, over 100 local middle school, high school and college students participated in an on-site Career Fair which introduced them to business leaders and career opportunities in the industry.
The TPIE New Plants and Products Room continued to be one of the most popular spots of the show. With 40 new items on display, attendees were impressed with the mix of new plants and products coming into the marketplace. Buyers were given the opportunity to vote on their favorites with  Kalanchoe thyrsiflora 'Fantastic' as  favorite new foliage plant, Gloriosa Lily as new flowering plant and all-in-one bucket as favorite new product.
Costa Farms took home the coveted Best of Show booth award for their display and use of outstanding plant material. Botantics Wholesale won Most Unusual Single Plant Specimen for their Coccothrinax sp.  More booth award winners and their photos can be found online at www.tpie.org.