The 2017 International Floriculture Expo held last week at McCormick Place in Chicago has come to a wrap after another successful year. Read on for the latest news, winners, and announcements from the show!
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
| BY THE NUMBERS
A record-breaking 350 attendees participated in Education Day to learn from more than 20 speakers. More than 750 floral attendees and key buyers walked the show floor and there was a combined attendance of 7500+including IFE's co-location partners. There were 225 exhibitors on the show floor including 30 new companies. |
| Flash Floral Speed Networking provides 168 B2B meetings
This complimentary event had a waiting list and hosted 168 business meetings in just one hour by pairing qualified suppliers and high-volume buyers together for six-minute mini meetings. This was the first year IFE hosted "speed networking" sessions and next year's edition will expand drastically to accommodate the interest. |
| Flower Naming Ceremony Honors John Simko, "Sunshine"
Kevin Barry of Big Y Foods presented the honor to John Simko, President and CEO of Sunshine Bouquet Company and 40 year floral industry veteran. The flower, bred by Ball and Miyoshi, was a stunning dark blue delphinium appropriately named "Sunshine." |
| Merchandising Award of Excellence goes to Hy-Vee
Cheryl Overland and her team from Hy-Vee Floral 1019 in Albert Lea, Minnesota took home the prize for their theme "Stop Texting, and Have a Conversation" presented by Super Floral and Syndicate Sales at the Toast to the Industry Reception. |
| Corey Rader Wins Iron Designer
Corey Rader of FreshBlooms and DVFlora took home the trophy for Iron Designer after blood, sweat, and even some stitches -- what a true champion! He was chosen by the judges out of 10 competitors from around the country tasked with creating a masterpiece in just 20 minutes using floral foam tiles from Oasis and flowers from Ball. Jason Parent MMFD also received a Crowd Choice Award. |
| Syndicate Sales Wins Innovation Battlefield
World Class Flowers, A-ROO Company, flAVATAR, Floralife, Betallic LLC and Syndicate Sales, Inc. battled it out at the second-annual Innovation Battlefield. Competitors were given just two minutes to discuss their innovative new products, which included glow-in-the-dark flowers, mailbox balloons, post-harvest technology and more. Syndicate Sales took home the trophy with their Plant Amp, a portable multi-use glass amplifier that holds up to two succulents and a smartphone. |
| FreshBlooms Awarded Booth of Excellence
FreshBlooms' booth was a show-stopper with a multi-level global display showcasing their floral variety and taking the top honor among more than 225 booths. Click the link above to learn about the inspiration behind their booth! |
| Looking Ahead: SmartFood Expo to Launch in 2018
At the opening general session of IFE, United FreshMKT, United FreshTEC, and Global Cold Chain Expo, show organizers revealed a fifth expo to be co-located with those events in June 2018. Launched by United Fresh, EnsembleIQ and Progressive Grocer, the new SmartFood Expo will focus on the burgeoning category of healthy foods marketed as "better-for-you." |
We'll see you in 2018!
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Christina Burton-Fox AIFD
floral artist & instructor
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