The history of OFA Short Course dates back to 1929 when a group of former Ohio State University students wanted to meet annually to share information and stay in touch after they graduated. Nowadays their organization represents a wide range of nursery owners, greenhouse growers, landscapers, florists, garden centers, interior plantscapers and traders from all of the 50 states and over 20 countries. Their short course can be seen as the most important and largest trade show for horticultural proffesionals in North America. According to Laura Kunkle, director of communications and marketing at OFA, this year over 9,000 people will visit the fair that is taking over Columbus in mid July. "We will have about 600 companies that will exhibit in more than 1500 booths. We are proud that the trade show always sells out, and that companies are eager to exhibit at Short Course."
"The mix of exhibitors is very diverse", Kunkle stated. "A lot of exhibitors are coming to debut their products and innovations. It is the right place to see new technologies and varieties for the first time. In addition, there are many opportunities to network with growers and retailers. Every year we are aiming to create a place where the entire industry comes together from seed to shelf.”
Aside of the trade fair, OFA Short Course is aslo a great place to learn things. "Visitors have the opportunity to follow 140 educational sessions. It is all about optimizing their business. The sessions will cover topics such as merchandising, new production techniques, business management, etc. Aside of this the sessions will also discus current trends and actual issues like saving energy and immigration reforms.
The registration for OFA Short Course is now open. Their are also still some exhibition spaces available.
For more information:
OFA Short Course
Laura Kunkle
www.ofa.org/ShortCourse
