World Floral Expo 2015 moves to Los Angeles
World Floral Expo 2015 moves to Los Angeles
The international flower trade show World Floral Expo moves from Chicago to Los Angeles and meets at the Los Angeles Convention Center March 11-13. The exhibit hall covers 60,000 square feet, with space for over 200 exhibitors, and organizers are anticipating a full house with a strong California flower grower presence.
“The California cut flower industry is thrilled to have WFE in Los Angeles for a variety of reasons,” Michael LoBue, chief executive officer at CalFlowers in Capitola, CA, said. “When it comes to cut flower production in the United States, California leads the way. Between 75 and 80 percent of U.S. domestic cut flower production happens right here in the Golden State. Visitors to WFE will see many more of California’s nearly 300 varieties of commercial cut flowers on display than if the event were held out of state.”
Members of the California Association of Flower Growers & Shippers have already reserved 3,000 square feet of exhibit space that will be featured in a special California Pavilion, about 10 times the space just for California cut flowers during the 2014 WFE in Chicago.
“As our world shrinks, the industry follows. WFE will be about more than just the California floral experience,” LoBue said. “CalFlowers members are thrilled to exhibit with other world-class flower growers from around the globe who contribute to the U.S. markets. ”
CalFlowers, the trade association in the U.S. for the distribution of flowers and floral products across the country, also noted that while the California Pavilion will feature an impressive collection of cut flowers grown in the state, it will also include CalFlowers’ distribution members. WFE attendees will meet key players in the movement and distribution of California flowers to market and help grow their businesses.
“Locating WFE in the heart of the U.S. flower industry is a nod to the importance and role of not only our hardworking and talented growers, but to the transportation, production, logistics and many other experts and suppliers that get flowers from the field to the consumer,” said LoBue.
LoBue believes that events like WFE 2015 help grow U.S. consumption patterns. “Buyers of cut flowers and potted plants should not miss WFE in Los Angeles, and if while in our state you’d like to visit a California flower farm, ask one of our CalFlowers members, or call us at 831/479-4912 and we’ll see if we can make arrangements for you,” said LoBue.
