With 320 exhibitors, 62 of which came from abroad, the 30th edition of Plantarium, the well-known international trade fair for nursery stock, was fully booked. The 17,361 visitors from the Netherlands and 43 other countries were treated to an evocative trade fair where 70 new plants were introduced and the exhibitors from the Netherlands and 14 other countries presented a very varied range of products. It was interesting to see that the stands were primarily manned by the business owners themselves. Not so much in order to sell their products, but rather to present their company. And business entrepreneurs attract other business entrepreneurs.
This conclusion fits in well with the results of the analysis of the exhibition’s professional visitors. In relation to Plantarium 2012, these were mainly business owners (48%), followed by employees (39%) and buyers (13%). Clearly business owners find Plantarium well worth visiting in order to collect information on new trends and developments. Of the trade visitors, 87% had already visited Plantarium on a previous occasion.
More than 13% from abroad
More than 13% of the commercially high-value trade fair visitors come from abroad. The number of professional visitors from Germany increased by 2% and they once again lead the field by a clear margin (25%). Belgium comes second (18%). In third place, we see France (12%), followed by the United Kingdom (8%), Italy (5%) and Denmark (5%). All the Scandinavian countries taken together are good for 8%. Applying the same approach to Central and Eastern Europe results in a significant 10%. The visitors literally came from all over the world.
High quality
The total number of visitors to Plantarium 2012 amounts to 17,360, compared to 17,320 last year. Garden enthusiasts who visited the exhibition on Saturday in greater numbers than last year are responsible for this minor increase. The number of professional visitors dropped by 1%. Most exhibitors were unanimous in saying that the quality of the visitors this year was excellent. Visitors from numerous large chains were also present at Plantarium and not just buyers either. Managers were also present.
Type of company
The table below is based on registration information and splits out professional visitors according to the type of company where they work:
|
|
% 2012 |
% 2011 |
% 2010 |
% 2009 |
% 2008 |
|
Grower/producer |
29 |
30 |
31 |
33 |
30 |
|
Enthusiast |
7 |
6 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
|
Trader |
17 |
15 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
|
Garden centre/retail |
28 |
30 |
31 |
29 |
30 |
|
Student |
1 |
1,5 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Supplier |
14 |
14 |
14 |
15 |
18 |
|
Horticulturalist |
4 |
3.5 |
- |
- |
- | |
