France: 13,500 visitors at Salon du Végétal

The 30th edition of the Salon du Végétal tradeshow, which took place between the 17th and the 19th February 2015, welcomed 522 exhibitors (of which 29% were from abroad) and 13,500 visitors. In these challenging economic times for our flowers and plants industry, where we have seen a drop off in consumption, unwelcoming Spring weather over the last few years, and a decrease in local council budgets allotted to plants, the figures are slightly lower than last year’s event (545 exhibitors and 15,057 visitors in 2014).

The Salon du Végétal however still remains the first professional French trade show dedicated to ornamental plants (trees, shrubs, pot plants, borders and beddings, bulbs, cut flowers, etc.) and the number 2 on the European market.

Despite the small drop, Serge Tsvétoukhine, the exhibition manager, underlines the quality of contacts and discussions. “Many exhibitors took advantage of the event to show their new ideas for the upcoming 2015 season. This year once again we saw conviviality on the stands and in the aisles”.

The 17 speakers for the 30mn sessions gathered large audiences every day.
The two demonstrations on the Distribution Centre (Distribution corner and îlot Distribution), launched in 2014, were well developed and enthralled a large number of visitors.

The daily conferences in the Green spaces and Landscaping centre looking at a different subject every day, drew large crowds.
Visitors also really appreciated the final of the Meilleur ouvrier de France, floristry section, which ran for the first time at the Salon du Végétal.

When he came to the trade show, the French Minister of Agriculture, Stéphane Le Foll, welcomed the setting up and putting in place of the label "Fleurs de France" and symbolically handed over kits and communication packs to the first horticultural producers engaged in this project.

The first edition of VégéDirect, the garden plants offer from Pays de la Loire region for garden centers, wholesalers and growers, was a big hit and many companies declared an interest in taking part at the next event.

For the 2016 Salon du Végétal, a team made up of professionals will gather to work on strengthening the image and pulling power of the trade show », says Serge Tsvétoukhine. «This work will be based on two questionaires which will take place at the beginning of March with both visitors and exhibitors feedback being considered».

For more information on the show:
Salon du Végétal
T: +33(0)2.41.79.14.17
F: +33(0)2.41.45.29.05
Email: salon@bhr-vegetal.com
www.salonduvegetal.com