With only one month to go until the 17th edition of the World Floral Expo opens in Los Angeles, the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers said that reservations at its California pavilion are running at 150 percent of last year’s show, as measured by reserved floor space. More California-grown flowers are expected to be on exhibit than from any other flower-growing country during the three-day event March 9-11 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

According to CalFlowers, its sponsored pavilion has commitments right now from at least 17 California growers exhibiting in more than 3,400 square feet, and it expects that number to increase during the next month. Together, these growers produce and ship over 275 varieties of commercial cut flowers, with many varieties not available from other growing regions. California-based growers currently provide 80 percent of the U.S. cut flower production, along with a number of potted plant products, greens and succulents.

Attendees at the expo will also have access to many other service providers including shippers, freight forwarders, hardgoods suppliers and related products suppliers. Plus, visitors will have the opportunity to talk with growers about their offerings and to view new flower varieties.

In addition, the California State Floral Association will provide some of the state’s leading floral designers performing demonstrations along with the show’s Dutch designers. Workshops will be offered throughout the three-day trade fair.

Last year, the WFE, held for the first time in Los Angeles, attracted 500 companies from 26 different countries and nearly 1,000 visitors. All segments of the floral industry, including representatives from several major U.S. supermarket chains, were also in attendance. This year, show organizers expect all of those numbers to increase dramatically and they have tripled the size of its exhibit space from 50,000 square feet to 150,000 square feet.

Registration is free of charge and can be done online. For more information, go to www.worldfloralexpo.com.