After more than a twelvemonth of pandemic - induce practical trade shows , the 2022 Tropical Plant International Expo ( TPIE ) took billet lively and in person – to much fanfare and attendance . And , after 23 years of taking place in Fort Lauderdale , the international barter show run to the west side of the Sunshine State for its debut at the Tampa Convention Center in Downtown Tampa .
" We had to perform in a new stage with increased concern due to COVID-19 , " TPIE Committee Chair Marcella Lucio - Chinchilla ( Silver Vase ) say . " Tampa leaven to be a beautiful , well-disposed and vibrant position to host TPIE – and exhibitors and attendees were quick to suffer and they proved it by showing up . "
TPIE has gained a well - make reputation in the nursery and landscape industry as the ‘ go - to ’ event for the latest trends in tropical leafage and indoor mansion plant . intimately 6,000 attendees from across 46 U.S. states and 30 nation get hold of to the trade show storey for this twelvemonth ’s show . And , with more than 700 exhibit booth spaces this year , TPIE enjoyed a 96 per centum full deal show base , liken to pre - pandemic Book of Numbers .
The buzz this year was specially hopeful and broadcast as attendees sought to locate available plants and materials , connection , make new connection , and get an privileged look at what will soon be swerve .
Although it was n’t business as usual ( give thanks you , COVID , and supply Chain ) , nothing deter retail , interiorscape and landscape buyers from attending this year . More than 1,200 register retail emptor attend the three - day consequence .
“ My big takeaway from TPIE was how great it was to be at a face - to - face show again and physically see the Cartesian product available , " TPIE Committee member Erik Friedl ( Casaplanta Garden Center ) said . " TPIE sets the tone for the year and micturate me see everything available in a new and exciting means . "
Favorite New Flowering Plant : Anthurium magnificum ' Michelle ' , Living Colors Nursery
High attending at education sessionsEducation session range from interiorscape technician workshop , to those encompass societal medium strategy , establishing family relationship with building specifier , and keeping one ’s edge in interiorscape designs .
The TPIE Road Show include a Production Tour , which took attendees to the Apopka area the day prior to the show ’s scuttle day to visit a fistful of leafage baby’s room . Another tour , a Design walking tour , took attendees around the Downtown Tampa expanse and highlighted public artistic creation installations that included horticultural elements .
Favorite New Foliage Plant : Geogenanthus ciliatus , Costa Farms
initiative session covered innovationThe show ’s Opening Session featured Duncan Wardle , former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney , who address on embed a finish of innovation into one ’s company . Wardle engaged the audience in several mini - activities to impart creativeness - building tips to take back to their fellowship civilization . He also encouraged the standing - room - only crowd of more than 600 to approach their work with a sense of “ child - like ” wonder .
to boot , Wardle explored barriers to innovation , and offered of the originative process , “ creativeness is a muscleman : the more you expend it , the stronger it arrest . ”
Another highlight of the session come when Wardle encouraged the interview to involve ‘ why ’ several meter of their target audiences to develop meet communications campaigns . “ The Sojourner Truth comes after the fourth or fifth ‘ why , ’ ” he told attender .
TPIE cool products awardsAs for other show milestone , a phonograph record number of retail vendee participated in the TPIE Cool Product Awards cognitive process this year . This resulted in the largest routine of cool products ever nominated . Of the 70 nomination , 15 coveted TPIE Cool Products designations were awarded . See the 2022 TPIE Cool Product Award achiever here .
Booth awarding course of study get new categoriesTPIE ’s Booth Awards program also boasted Modern family let in , Inspiration at its Best , Excellent Use of Storytelling , and Stand - Out in a Crowd awards . See the winners here .
More than $ 350,000 raisedAnother significant highlighting of the show took place during the National Horticulture Foundation ’s ( NHF ) receipt where contributions totaling $ 28,000 were raise for manufacture enquiry and student scholarships . to boot , many of the res publica ’s leading interiorscape firms generated another $ 334,000 to make a brand - new Interior Industry Growth Fund endowment within the National Horticulture Foundation .
