Industry gears up for International Grower of the Year Awards 2014
Growers of ornamental plants were invited to nominate a candidate for the coveted prize of AIPH International Grower of the Year. This year represented countries include: UK, The Netherlands, Denmark, Turkey, China, Japan, South Korea, Chinese Tapai, Canada and Australia.
An expert international jury will select a shortlist of five candidates to join the IGOTY gala dinner at the Expo Plaza hotel in Qingdao, China on 17 September 2014, where winners of the four prizes available will be announced. This year Qingdao is hosting the AIPH Congress alongside its international horticultural exhibition providing a unique venue for such an important occasion for the horticultural industry.
Entrants will be assessed against detailed criteria to win either gold, silver and bronze roses and special plaque for fourth place. The judging panel will be particularly looking for strong economic performance, high levels of innovation, an effective marketing strategy, high environmental standards and exemplary human resource management. Judges include: Bill Stensson, Sheridan Nurseries and past winner, Canada; Tim Edwards, Boningale Nurseries, UK; Tetsu Nomura, Japan and Gery Heungens, Belgium.
Last year’s winner, Bill Stensson said: “We were thrilled to have been awarded the Gold Rose in the 2013 International Grower of the Year competition. Global recognition like this really makes our business stand out from the crowd. It undoubtedly has helped us drive growth and the staff think it is wonderful too. I would strongly encourage grower associations to enter candidates for the competition”.
Sponsorship opportunities are available; association with the very best of the world’s ornamentals growers and all the media coverage that follows is an opportunity not to miss.
For further information please contact the IGOTY Secretary, Mr. Gerard de Wagt on dewagt@snelnet.net
For more information
AIPH
Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General
T: +44 (0) 118 9308956
M: +44 (0) 7885 750324
sg@aiph.org
www.aiph.org