US (OR): 2013 Farwest Trade Show sees increase in attendance

Organizers of the 2013 Farwest Trade Show, that took place Aug. 22-24, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Ore., report that the event had 15 percent more people coming through the gate than last year.

“I spent three days walking the aisles talking to exhibitors and attendees. The industry has turned an important corner,” said Jeff Stone, executive director of Oregon Association of Nurseries, the trade association responsible for producing the show. “All success indicators were up. Exhibitors were writing more orders on the show floor.

“We are pleased show attendance was up, but we are more concerned about getting the right buyers to the show. Exhibitors were telling me that they were happy with the quality of the show traffic and satisfied that exhibiting at the show was a good investment. That says to me that meeting face-to-face is still important and that trade shows still have an important role to play.”

“Everyone that I came across was in a much more positive frame of mind in terms of the show and the economy,” said Patrick Newton of Powell’s Nursery. “They were in a buying mood. For us, it was great. We wrote quite a few orders. The industry seems to be taking a turn in the right direction.”

The Oregon Association of Nurseries is already planning for next year’s Farwest Trade Show scheduled for Aug. 21-23, 2014. The Farwest Trade Show is produced by the Oregon Association of Nurseries. For more information about the 2013 Farwest Trade Show, visit www.FarwestShow.com.