[Source: AIPH] Expo organisers from future AIPH-approved International Horticultural Expos will travel to the Portuguese Iberostar Selection Lisboa hotel in Lisbon to present their progress reports at the International Horticultural Expo Conference on 13 March.

AIPH-Approved International Horticultural Expos are beautiful events that showcase the power of flowers and plants. The Expo parks are enjoyed by millions of visitors and leave environmentally positive legacies for the host city’s residents.

What is an AIPH Approved International Horticultural Expo?

For more than 60 years, AIPH has had a mandate agreed upon by the 1928 Paris Convention and subsequent protocols to approve and regulate these major horticultural events.

Millions are spent developing these international spectacles that can stimulate the development of entire cities and transform the international reputation of hosting regions. Each Expo attracts many international participants and millions of visitors and lasts up to six months, with sites ranging from the smallest of 25 hectares to the largest of 500 hectares or more. Every Expo is carefully regulated, steered, and monitored by AIPH.

AIPH Guide to Master Planning an Expo

Mr John Boon, Director of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design at ARCADIS – a global design, engineering, and management consulting company – will talk about his collaboration with AIPH and present a new master planning guide for World and International Horticultural Expos.

The guide focuses on the key elements to be considered when starting an Expo project. It provides several methodologies and best practices beneficial for the master planning of both the Expo site and its legacy.

Backed by previous Expo case studies, examples of Masterplans and their pros and cons, and consideration of broader urban integration, this work will be of interest to every urbanist, landscape architect, city planner or developer.

Mr Boon has more than 25 years of experience as a landscape architect. He was appointed chief designer of the World Horticultural Expo Floriade 2012 in Venlo, Netherlands.

He is also at the forefront of sustainable and healthy outdoor space design. In the Netherlands, he introduced the Healthy City Index.

Learn from other prominent major event experts

For all major special events, efficient and effective transportation will be the first and last impact on every visitor. Mr David McCrae, Vice-President and Managing Director of TMS – Transportation Management Services – will discuss planning a capable transportation system.

That will set the tone for the visitor experience’s totality and shape every visitor’s lasting memory.
Also presenting to Expo Conference delegates will be a multi-tasking event manager, Biblo Event. This organisation has been enthusiastically planning innovative, creative, and perfect events since 2013. At the Expo Conference, they will share their experience creating spectacular events.

World Green City Awards 2024

AIPH is keen to engage and put nature in the heart and the centre of urban living; through our Green City Programme, we held the first World Green City Awards 2022. Two AIPH-Approved Expos host cities were among the finalists. At the Expo Conference, entry for the World Green City Awards 2024 will officially open. For more information or to register an interest, visit this link.

Learn how to host, participate, or support an AIPH-Approved International Horticultural Expo

The Expo Conference is an excellent opportunity to learn about future International Horticultural Expos, how to host or participate in future World and International Horticultural Expos, and plenty of opportunities to network with Expo organisers, city representatives, urban developers, landscape designers, NGOs, international city and environmental organisations, and suppliers to major events.

Audiences will also listen to updates from our host cities in Türkiye affected by the devastating earthquakes on 6 February. The Expo organisers will report about the next steps, particularly Kahramanmaraş, which was due to open at the end of April.

Major event suppliers on hand to support Expo organisers

Expo organisers can benefit from the many networking opportunities at this Expo Conference. Representatives from the AIPH Preferred Partner programme will be in attendance. And we welcome Mosimann’s, our newest quality event service provider for catering. Find out more on the AIPH website.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit the Event Page.

Until 2028, AIPH has approved International Horticultural Expos in China, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Türkiye.

Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar, will be opening in October.

FORTHCOMING AIPH-APPROVED EXPOS:

A1 World Horticultural Expos

■ Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar

2 October 2023–28 March 2024

Theme: Green Desert, Better Environment

■ World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 Yokohama, Japan

March–September 2027

Theme: Scenery of the Future for Happiness

B International Horticultural Exhibitions

■ Expo 2023 Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye

23 April–31 October 2023

Theme: Nature-Friendly City and Sensitivity

■ Suncheonman International Garden Expo 2023, South Korea

1 April–22 October 2023

Theme: The Garden of the Earth

■ International Horticultural Exhibition Chengdu 2024, China

26 April-28 October 2024

Theme: City in parks and life in poetries

■ Expo İzmir 2026, Türkiye

1 May-31 October 2026

Theme: Living in Harmony

■ Udon-Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026, Thailand

1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027

Theme: Diversity of Life: People, Water and Plants

■ Malatya International Horticultural Expo 2028, Türkiye

23 April to 29 October 2028

AIPH thanks Spring Meeting Headline Sponsor Biblo and Expo Conference Headline Sponsor TMS – Transportation Management Services.

[Source: BIE] Floriade Expo 2022 Amsterdam-Almere has closed its gates, after a lively final weekend marked by concerts, cultural shows and thematic events. Dozens of countries participated in the Horticultural Expo, which for six months showcased ideas solutions and innovations relating to the theme “Growing Green Cities”.

Floriade Expo 2022 – the seventh Horticultural Expo to be hosted by the Netherlands – took place on a 60-hectare site situated on the south side of the Weerwater in the new city of Almere in the province of Flevoland. Organised around an arboretum, a living catalogue of trees, plants and flowers arranged alphabetically, the site featured an array of remarkable structures and landscapes, including a 10,000m2 greenhouse complex, a bio-based bridge, the M. contemporary art installation, and the fully circular Natural Pavilion.

Floriade Expo 2022 brought together countries from around the world, with the participation ranging from Qatar’s ‘Desert Nest’ with 3D-printed dovecots and Belgium’s regenerative garden, to Suriname’s miniature jungle and Japan’s Satoyama landcape inspired pavilion. Alongside National Day celebrations and associated cultural events, the Expo was also host to a wide range of thematic seminars including the Floriade Dialogues, as well as educational programmes and industry events relating to horticulture, agriculture, and sustainable development.

The Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, indicated: “Addressing the need for cities and towns to be more sustainable and more in touch with nature, Floriade Expo 2022 Amsterdam-Almere has sparked debate and inspired new thinking in how to conceive healthier and environmentally conscious neighbourhoods. The green solutions presented at this Horticultural Expo are a vivid demonstration of the sustainable future that is possible when innovative thinking is put into practice”.

The CEO of the Floriade Expo 2022, Hans Bakker, stated: “Floriade Expo 2022 was characterised by its huge wealth of flowers and plants, but was also all about other ways of appreciating ‘green’, such as the actual ecosystems of trees and plants. Most important of the Expo was the expansion of the consciousness of very many people on the importance of a healthy living and working environment in cities for the future and this is what happened.”

Floriade Expo 2022 now enters its legacy phase, in which the site is set to become a sustainable urban district, ‘Hortus’, shaped by the greenery and values of the Expo. The site’s infrastructure and permanent buildings – including the Flores tower and the ‘green lung’ of the Aeres University buildings – mean the area will rapidly be transformed into a new neighbourhood of Almere.

Horticultural Expos have been recognised by the BIE since 1960 and are aimed at fostering cooperation and the sharing of knowledge and solutions between countries, horticultural producers and agricultural industry by addressing the paramount issues of healthy lifestyles, green economies, sustainable living, education and innovation. The Netherlands hosted the first Horticultural Expo organised under BIE auspices – Floriade Expo 1960 Rotterdam – and has organised subsequent editions, known as ‘Floriade’, in each decade since.

The next Horticultural Expo is being held in Doha, Qatar, under the theme “Green Desert, Better Environment”, between 2 October 2023 and 31 March 2024.

[Source: AIPH, 8th March) The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) gave its approval for a Category B International Horticultural Exhibition in the city of Udon Thani, Thailand for 2026.

The approval took place at the AIPH General Meeting on 8 March in accordance with the AIPH Regulations for International Horticultural Exhibitions.

Thrilled to gain approval

The Governor of Udon Thani, Mr Siam Sirimongkol, is thrilled to learn that their city has gained full support.

Mr Sirimongkol says: “As the agricultural business and trading centre of the Greater Mekong Region, Udon Thani is exceptionally proud to bring AIPH’s International Horticultural Expo back to Thailand. The event will be called ‘The Garden of Mekong’ to celebrate the abundance of the Mekong wetland, where people are blessed with biodiversity and harmony. This prestigious global event with the central theme “Diversity of Life: People, Water and Plants” will bring well-deserved attention to our fertile but fragile land on the great international river where our ancestors have learnt co-living for millennia.

“We are aiming to achieve at least 13 out of 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals, with this Expo. Udon Thani will be delighted to welcome our friends of the Mekong, the ASEAN community and the people across the globe to visit the Expo.

“The 164.8-hectares expo site encompasses a small lake to showcase the mesmerising Mekong wetland. We hope the world will get to know the diversity along the Mekong and be inspired by our sustainable way of living.”

A world stage to promote the relationship between people and plants

AIPH Secretary General, Mr Tim Briercliffe, says: “Expo 2026 will introduce Udon Thani and the horticulture of this region to the global stage. The event will create opportunities to exchange knowledge and technological advancement as well as promoting city greening and the importance of the relationship between people and plants.”

The approval for Udon-Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026 comes after a successful site inspection in February and an excellent presentation by the Udon Thani Expo organising team at the AIPH Expo Conference on 7 March.

A commitment to sustainable living

AIPH approved the Thai proposal for the International Horticultural Expo 2026 will be hosted in Udon Thani province from 1 November 2026 to 14 March 2027. The inspiration for the Expo’s theme “Diversity of Life: Connecting Water, Plants, and People” reflects the unique wetland area and the people living here. Their connection with the water and natural resources and the need to promote sustainable living will be the Expo’s main goal.

Presenting Udon Thani Expo’s proposal to host an International Horticultural Expo at the AIPH Spring Meeting was H.E. Dr Chalermchai Sree-on, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. He is head of the Thai delegation.

He expressed his appreciation on behalf of the Thai government to the AIPH members for the trust and support given to Thailand and cited the success upon a fruitful collaboration among various government agencies and private organisations, led by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.

According to Dr Chalermchai, Thailand is committed to contributing to global food security through the Three Sustainable ‘3S’ farming and food policy, which brings attention to Food Safety, Food Security, and Sustainability. This declaration is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while adhering to the climate aspiration of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Such commitment can serve the theme and presentation of the Expo in Udon Thani and will help shed light on sustainability innovations, and, inspire and ignite collaboration on global actionable measures towards sustainability living with minimal cost to the ecosystem.

Guaranteeing a diverse display of cultures and floras

Mr Sirimongkol reaffirmed the city’s readiness to ensure the success of the Expo. He says: “The Udon Thani Expo 2026 will be the first International Horticultural Expo ever held in a wetland area. Furthermore, the province’s status as the gateway to the Greater Mekong Subregion and a transportation and economic hub of the area will guarantee a diverse display of cultures and floras befitting the theme.”

Mr Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), who represented Thailand in the official bid for the Expo, expressed Thailand’s confidence in hosting the landmark global event, portraying the success of the past two horticultural expos hosted by Thailand in Chiang Mai province.

He also emphasised the government’s development strategy and national agenda to promote the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model (BCG) as a new development model that seeks to drive socio-economic growth while minimizing and even reversing the negative impacts on the environment. The strategy will be of great contribution to Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026.

The Udon Thani Expo 2026 is expected to cost 2,500 million baht in investment and attract 3.6 million visitors over 134 days during the expo.

For more information about Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026, and future forthcoming AIPH approved International Horticultural Expos visit www.aiph.org/expos.

AIPH International Horticultural Expos showcase beauty and creativity, with a magnificent Expo Park attracting many international participants, who build their pavilions lasting up to six months. The sites range from the smallest of 25 hectares to the largest of 500 hectares or more. Organisers spend millions developing these international spectacles that can stimulate the economic development of entire cities and transform the international reputation of hosting regions. 

Each event exposes millions of visitors to the world of horticulture and helps communicate the vital role that plants, flowers and the landscape play in improving the environment and the health and wellbeing of citizens. The Expos stimulate city greening and create better places to live.

From now until 2027, AIPH has approved the following Expos for cities in China, Turkey, Qatar, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Japan. You can see the AIPH-approved Expos calendar at https://aiph.org/expos/calendar/:

A1 World Horticultural Expos

Expo 2022 Floriade, Netherlands, 14 April–9 October 2022. Theme: Growing Green Cities 

Expo 2023 Doha, Qatar, 2 October 2023–28 March 2024. Theme: Green Desert, Better Environment 

World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 Yokohama, Japan, March–September 2027, Theme: Scenery of the Future for Happiness
 

B International Horticultural Exhibitions

Expo 2021 Yangzhou, China, 8 April–8 October 2021. Theme: Green City, Healthy Life

Expo 2021 Hatay, Turkey, 1 April–30 June 2022. Theme: Garden of Civilisations

Expo 2023 Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, 23 April–31 October 2023. Theme: Nature-Friendly City and Sensitivity

Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo 2023, South Korea, 22 April–22 October 2023. Theme: The Garden of the Earth

International Horticultural Exhibition Chengdu 2024, China, 26 April-28 October 2024. Theme: City in parks and life in poetries

Expo İzmir 2026, Turkey, 1 May-31 October 2026, Theme: Living in Harmony

C International Horticultural Show 

Euroflora 2022, Italy, 23 April until 8 May 2022. Theme: Voyage of Rare Beauty

AIPH ensure Expos are successful through a defined approval and monitoring process and through regulating the number of permitted Expos. This calendar lets you know of the current dates available for your city to host. You can view the bidding calendar at https://aiph.org/expos/bidding-calendar/

Putting Sustainability at the heart of AIPH-approved Expos

We are the world’s champion for the power of plants, and AIPH is committed to a sustainable future in which humanity, technology, and nature exist in a healthy and stable equilibrium.

To cement our dedication to a sustainable future, AIPH has developed a new Sustainability Policy with regulations for Expo Organisers, with the support of Independent Sustainability Expert Mr David Stubbs. He was formerly Head of Sustainability for London 2012 Olympics & Paralympic Games. He has been working with AIPH to help us identify how we can create best practices for Expo Organisers when planning and staging horticultural Expos and continue to ensure they are the world’s most sustainable major events.

Together we identified five thematic areas related to what we do and where we believe we can make the most positive impact:

1. Climate action – using plants and green spaces to support climate adaptation and resilience programmes in urban environments

2. Biodiversity conservation – promoting nature in cities and sustainable horticultural practices worldwide

3. Sustainable sourcing and resource management – adopting circular economy principles, reducing plastic waste and other forms of pollution, supporting efficient production and ethical supply chain management

4. Equity & inclusion – promoting plant growing and green spaces for all, upholding fair and equitable practices across the horticultural value chain, diversity, and human rights

5. Education & awareness raising – engaging, informing, and inspiring people to appreciate the importance of plants and the places where they grow, and to take action to protect and enhance their local environment through plant growing

Through this work, our sustainability strategy will substantially help towards several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Stubbs said, “Having a programme which can support the realisation of some of these goals is a very exciting opportunity for the association.

“AIPH has the ambition for World Horticultural Expos to be recognised as among the world’s most sustainable major events. When you think about how these sites can promote biodiversity conservation and create green legacies, this is a great opportunity. It’s about helping these cities to improve their adaptation and resilience to climate change.

“We must also recognise that putting on these events can create a lot of impacts – waste, construction impacts, congestion – unless they are planned and delivered properly you don’t necessarily realise these benefits. The key to this strategy we are developing is to direct organisers to a much more sustainable approach.”

Stubbs cited the example of the London Olympic Park, which resulted in the cleaning up of a polluted river and industrial land, the use of renewable energy, sustainable materials, nature-friendly features such as streetlights that face away from the river to avoid disturbing bats – and an accessible parkland was created for people to visit and enjoy.”

A recording of this presentation is here: https://youtu.be/cAQfETkwrEc

To view forthcoming Expos visit: https://aiph.org/expos/calendar/

To look back at 60 years of AIPH Expos visit: https://aiph.org/expos/history/

To find out more about AIPH International Horticultural Exhibitions watch: https://youtu.be/y4txnEQ8szc

AIPH Expo Support Programme

The AIPH has a support programme to help stage a World International Horticultural Expo and to bring together experts from different industries, often from outside the host city, to build together and deliver benefits for all before, during and after the Expo. Our Organiser’s Expo Guide is packed full of information. You can find many details, including our regulations and applications on the Exhibitions page on our website.

AIPH would be delighted to discuss the opportunity to host an expo, so please do speak to our AIPH Senior International Relations Manager treve.evans@aiph.org

“AIPH is interesting for me because it’s committed to using knowledge of the power of plants for a sustainable future,” David Stubbs told the AIPH Expo Conference on 19 October.

“For me, that’s all about urban greening, and comes back to my early passion around biodiversity and creating good viable spaces for people’s health and well-being; it’s good for climate action and it’s a fantastic platform for spreading awareness.”

Early in his career, Stubbs was involved in a survey of all green spaces in London, through which he discovered that golf courses take up 3 per cent of the Greater London area. This led to more work in the sports sector, including his role as Director of Sustainability at the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Since then, Stubbs has worked in the field of major event sustainability for rights holders including the IOC, FIFA, F1 and World Economic Forum – and earlier this year he started working with AIPH - the global approving body for International Horticultural Expos - to develop their sustainability strategy.

Together they identified five policy themes where AIPH can make most difference, starting with climate action. Stubbs cited the recent IPCC reports tracking progress on meeting the Paris accord target of global warming of no more than 1.5 degrees.

“We are not on track to meet that and you can see the evidence all over the world through floods, droughts, forest fires and sea level rises – there are so many impacts of climate change that are happening all over. If through using plants and green spaces we can support climate adaptation and resilience programmes in urban environments, that will be a really important thing to do.

Linked to climate action is the biodiversity agenda, which promotes nature in cities and sustainable horticultural practices worldwide.

“Beyond that let’s look at sourcing and resource management. Think of all the materials that become waste or other forms of pollution, how we can become more efficient and create better policies towards the sourcing, use, disposing and reuse of these materials – it’s a circular economy approach.

“There’s also an important people dimension about equity and inclusion, making sure these green spaces are accessible by all. It’s also about upholding fair and equitable practices across the value chain, supporting diversity and human rights within the industry.

“Finally there’s education and awareness raising. Through green spaces, horticultural shows and green city initiatives we can inform people and inspire them about the role of plants and how it all links to biodiversity, climate action and the other themes.”

These policy themes will be implemented across a number of action areas. These include advancing sustainable practices in expos, making sure they are used to promote biodiversity and create legacies. Other action areas include providing help in the form of best practice guidance and trying to get urban areas more environmentally friendly through green city initiatives.

Through this work, the AIPH strategy will substantially help towards a number of the UN sustainable development goals.

“Having a programme which can support the realisation of some of these goals is a very exciting opportunity for the association.

“AIPH has the ambition for World Horticultural Expos to be recognised as among the world’s most sustainable major events. This is a great opportunity, when you think about how these sites can promote biodiversity conservation and create green legacies. It’s about helping these cities to improve their adaptation and resilience to climate change.

“We must also recognise that putting on these events can create a lot of impacts – waste, construction impacts, congestion – unless they are planned and delivered properly you don’t necessarily realise these benefits. The key to this strategy we are developing is to direct organisers to a much more sustainable approach.”

Stubbs cited the example of the London Olympic Park, which resulted in the cleaning up of a polluted river and industrial land, the use of renewable energy, sustainable materials, nature-friendly features such as streetlights that face away from the river to avoid disturbing bats – and an accessible parkland was created for people to visit and enjoy.

Biodiversity-enhancing features of the park include reedbeds, woodlands and microhabitats. It also serves as a flood alleviation site, absorbing large quantities of water to prevent flooding downstream.

“Plant Expos are like Olympic Parks – the horticultural elements were a big part of the Games,” Stubbs said.

Watch the full presentation here

AIPH is the global approving body for International Horticultural Expos. To find out more, please visit https://aiph.org/expos/

[Source: AIPH] For the past 18 months, people have faced isolation challenges worldwide as they cope with the Covid-19 Pandemic. Many have sought and found harmony interacting with nature and in open green spaces. It has become evident, too, in the face of climate action, that more than ever, cities need to develop green credentials and urban areas and drive the appreciation and benefits of plants and flowers in the built environment.

International Horticultural Expos are beautiful events that showcase nature, are enjoyed by millions of visitors, and leave environmentally positive legacies for the host city’s residents. The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has a mandate agreed by the 1928 Paris Convention and subsequent protocols. Since 1960, International Horticultural Expos have been approved and regulated by AIPH. A gallery of these expos can be viewed online www.aiph.org/expos/history/

On 19 October 2021, organisers from forthcoming AIPH approved Expos will be presenting their progress reports. This free online conference is an excellent opportunity to learn more about upcoming Expos as well as hosting or being involved with an International Horticultural Expo and network with Expo organisers, city representatives interested in hosting an expo, urban developers, AIPH members, NGOs, international city and environmental organisations and suppliers to major events.

Millions are spent developing these international spectacles that can stimulate the development of entire cities and transform the international reputation of hosting regions. Each Exhibition attracts many international participants and millions of visitors and lasts up to six months, with sites ranging from the smallest of 25 hectares to the largest of 500 hectares or more. Every Expo is carefully regulated, steered, and monitored by AIPH.

From now until 2027 AIPH has approved the following Expos in China, Turkey, Qatar, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Japan.

A1 World Horticultural Expos

Expo 2022 Floriade (the Netherlands)
14 April – 9 October 2022.
Theme – Growing Green Cities

Expo 2023 Doha (Qatar).
2 October 2023 – 28 March 2024
Theme – Green Desert, Better Environment

World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 Yokohama (Japan).
March – September 2027
Theme – Scenery of the Future for Happiness

B International Horticultural Exhibitions

Expo 2021 Yangzhou (China)

Expo 2021 Hatay (Turkey)

Expo 2023 Kahramanmaraş (Turkey)

Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo 2023 (South Korea).

International Horticultural Exhibition Chengdu 2024 (China)

Expo İzmir 2026 (Turkey)

There will also be news on progress from the organisers of the International Horticultural Show, Euroflora 2022, where organisers promise a voyage of rare beauty from 23 April until 8 May in Genova, Italy.

Putting Sustainability at the heart of AIPH-approved Expos

As the world’s champion for the power of plants, AIPH is committed to a sustainable future in which humanity, technology, and nature exist in a healthy and stable equilibrium.

To cement our dedication to a sustainable future, AIPH has developed a new Sustainability Policy. Independent Sustainability Expert Mr David Stubbs, formerly Head of Sustainability for London 2012 Olympics & Paralympic Games, will present the policy and Rules for AIPH Expos at the Virtual Expo Conference. These rules will describe the standards for the planning and staging of horticultural Expos to ensure they are the world’s most sustainable major events.

New AIPH Reporting procedures

During the conference, AIPH will reveal news on the new reporting procedures for approved Expos. Ms Elena Terekhova, AIPH International Relations Manager, and Mr Peter Ward, Managing Director of WeTrack, will introduce the WeTrack online programme that Expos will be required to use for reporting and the benefits of using this as an event management tool.

We are grateful to our Gold Sponsor PERA Event, and Event Partners AGES (Association of Global Event Suppliers), the Department for International Trade, and Major Events International. Including Media Partners Host City and FloraCulture International.

Registration for the virtual conference is free. For more information on this event, visit our website www.aiph.org/event/expo-conference-oct-2021/

[Source: AIPH] This conference presents an excellent opportunity to learn more about hosting or being involved with an International Horticultural Expo and to network with expo organisers, city representatives interested in hosting an expo, urban developers, AIPH members, NGOs, international city and environmental organisations and suppliers to major events.

Millions are spent on developing these international spectacles that can stimulate the development of entire cities and transform the international reputation of hosting regions. Each Exhibition attracts many international participants and millions of visitors and lasts up to six months, with sites ranging in size from the smallest of 25 hectares to the largest of 500 hectares or more. Every Expo is carefully regulated, steered, and monitored by AIPH.

The period from now until 2027 already includes AIPH approved expos in China, Turkey, Qatar, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Japan. The following Expos will be submitting their progress reports on 19 October.

A1 World Horticultural Expos

The World Horticultural Expos include:

• Expo 2022 Floriade (the Netherlands)

• Expo 2023 Doha (Qatar)

• World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 Yokohama (Japan).

B International Horticultural Exhibitions

The International Horticultural Exhibitions include:

• Expo 2021 Yangzhou (China)

• Expo 2021 Hatay (Turkey)

• Expo 2023 Kahramanmaraş (Turkey)

• Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo (South Korea).

• International Horticultural Exhibition Chengdu 2024 (China)

• Expo İzmir 2026 (Turkey)

There will also be news on progress from the organisers of the International Horticultural Show, Euroflora 2022. More Exhibitions will be approved in upcoming meetings.

Putting Sustainability at the heart of AIPH-approved Expos

Sustainability is now a high priority. As the world’s champion for the power of plants, AIPH is committed to a sustainable future in which humanity, technology, and nature exist in a healthy and stable equilibrium.

To cement our dedication to a sustainable future, AIPH has developed a new Sustainability Policy. Independent Sustainability Expert Mr David Stubbs, of Sustainability Experts Limited, will present the policy and Rules for Expos at the Virtual Expo Conference. These rules will describe the standards for the planning and staging of horticultural expos to ensure they are the world’s most sustainable major events.

New AIPH Reporting procedures

During the conference, AIPH will reveal news on the new reporting procedures for approved Expos. Ms Elena Terekhova, AIPH International Relations Manager, and Mr Peter Ward, Managing Director of WeTrack, will introduce the WeTrack online programme that Expos will be required to use for reporting as well as the benefits of using this as an event management tool.

WeTrack’s project management software has been used by organisers of some of the world’s most prestigious events, venues, and organisations, including World Triathlon, the FIA, Expo 2020 Dubai, Wimbledon, and the International Cricket Council. It enables teams and departments to track tasks and projects, collaborate better with stakeholders, and build, download, and share custom reports.

In the same platform, organisations can then integrate their sustainability, readiness and operational planning, providing consistency from the early stages of planning your Expo, to the final stages of delivery. Bespoke, automated reporting underpins every stage of this process.

We are grateful to our Gold Sponsor PERA Event for their support of the conference.

Registration for the virtual conference is free. For more information on this event, visit our website.

The virtual AIPH International Horticultural Expo Conference on 16 March attracted over 140 delegates online from over 50 countries worldwide, eager to listen to future International Horticultural Expos’ progress reports.

There is no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the progress of these enormous events, but through adversity came stories of strong leadership, agile planning and the overwhelming spirit of resilience.

International Horticultural Expos showcase beauty and creativity, with a magnificent Expo park attracting many international participants, who build their pavilions lasting up to six months and captivating the imagination of many millions of visitors domestically and internationally. Although Covid-19 is here for the long haul, these open-air events are looking positively to the future. Every International Horticultural Expo is carefully regulated, steered, and monitored by AIPH, and the period from now until 2027 includes ten AIPH-approved expos.

The conference, on the Hopin platform, began with a progress presentation from Floriade Expo 2022 Almere. There is just one year to go until the opening. “The landscaping and planting in Almere continue, while the real estate and infrastructure near completion”, reports Chief Operating Officer for the Expo, Mr Sven Stimac. He speaks of the positive response from more than 40 countries confirming diplomatic participation in the 2022 event and more than 50 partnerships from the horticulture sector. Everything is continuing to plan, with a healthy and sensitive focus on Covid-19 prevention measures for the event in the Netherlands. Interest from people is increasing, as Mr Stimac reports more participation online in the Floriade Knowledge Programmes webinars than were initially planned for the physical seminars.

Considering the time it takes to prepare a high-quality A1 International Horticultural Exhibition and the difficulties in continuing preparations during the pandemic last year, it was agreed that Expo Doha Qatar moved from 2021 to 2023. In the progress report given by Mr Mohammed Ali Alkhoori, Secretary General of the Expo, he showed that the timeline’s shift has not put a dent in its ambitious event and legacy plans for the 179-day event theme Green Desert Better Environment.

The plans for the World Horticultural Exhibition Yokahama 2027 are “blossoming” in their early stages. Mr Soga Koji, Director-General of Kamiseya Development and World Horticulture Exhibition, and his team are working in partnership with the government to develop a master plan for the event. The venue area is nearly 100 hectares of landscape and takes inspiration from satoyama’s cultivation philosophy – derived from the Japanese words for the village (sato) and mountain (yama). The central theme is Scenery of the Future for Happiness, with four sub-themes aiming to generate new values based on horticulture and to pass on a growing legacy.

It was very clear from the presentations that the coronavirus pandemic has made progress very difficult, “but not impossible,” asserts Mrs Lan Zhou, Vice Director, Yangzhou Municipal Bureau of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

Expo 2021 Yanhgzou opens in China in just a few weeks, on 8 April 2021 and continues until 8 October 2021. Mrs Lan Zhou stresses, “We have overcome many obstacles. Many people have been working very hard. We have managed to make the unimaginable happen.”

She continues: “When we made our application, we expected four million visitors would come [domestic and international] however international travel is still under strict regulation. We do hope in the latter half of our event, people can come to visit. The Department of Medical Health has worked out all the policies in place for population control and disease prevention.”

Being large in scale, AIPH International Horticultural Expos naturally draw investment into new parks and infrastructure, which become permanent additions to the city and improves residents’ quality of life. The progress report given by Expo 2021 Hatay perfectly demonstrates this action. There are two sites, Antakya and Iskenderun, on either side of a mountain, and these areas will show the rich horticultural production of the area. The organiser, Mr Hakan Arslan, explains how the transport between sites will be free and working 18 hours a day, during the event and the infrastructure will be a legacy afterwards.

Mr Harun Guzel gave many examples of how they are stimulating the horticultural industry and the Turkish landscape in Kahramanmaraş for Expo 2023 and working with and for the local people’s benefit.

Sustainability is an integral element of AIPH International Horticultural Expos and part of our philosophy. Suncheonman International Garden Expo has a grand ambition in 2023 to realise an exhibition where the entire city becomes a garden city in Korea.

Reports from our newest approvals from 30 September 2020 have been working hard on preparation. International Horticulture Exhibition Chengu 2024 has been improving the infrastructure around its Expo Park. And the organisers of Expo Izmir 2026 predict its Expo park will attract a significant number of tourists and expect 4.7million visitors.
Euroflora has had to postpone the 12th Edition in Genoa from 23 April to 8 May 2022. The organisers are planning a one-day event in September 2021 dedicated to the promotion of worldwide horticulture.

The AIPH Expo Conference presented an excellent opportunity to learn more about hosting or being involved with these major international events. AIPH is very grateful to Gold Sponsors for the conference – IGMPR and PERA Event, and our event and media partners.

If you would like to know more about the benefits of hosting an International Horticultural Expo, please contact us. We would also welcome discussions with suppliers at major events to explain the AIPH Preferred Partner programme and how your business can benefit.

Recordings of the presentations are available to watch online at www.aiph.org/event/the-expo-conference.

This article was written by Rachel Wakefield, Communications Executive and Associate Editor, AIPH

[Source: AIPH] The AIPH Virtual Expo Conference on 16 March presents an excellent opportunity to learn more about hosting or being involved with our major horticultural events and to network with expo organisers, city representatives interested in hosting an expo, urban developers, AIPH members, NGOs, international city and environmental organisations and suppliers to major events.

Millions are spent on developing these international spectacles that can have the ability to stimulate the development of entire cities and transform the international reputation of hosting regions. Each exhibition attracts many international participants and millions of visitors, lasts up to six months, with sites ranging from 25 to 500 hectares in size. Every Expo is carefully regulated, steered, and monitored by AIPH.

The period from now until 2027 already includes AIPH approved expos in China, Turkey, Qatar, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Japan with more to be approved in upcoming meetings. The following Expos will be submitting their progress reports on 16 March.

A1 World Horticultural Expos: The World Horticultural Expos include Expo 2022 Floriade (the Netherlands); Expo 2023 Doha (Qatar) and World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 Yokohama (Japan).

B International Horticultural Exhibitions: The International Horticultural Exhibitions include 2021 Yangzhou (China); Expo 2021 Hatay (Turkey); Expo 2023 Kahramanmaraş (Turkey) and Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo (South Korea).

There will also be news about Expos going through the approval process including International Horticultural Exhibition Chengdu 2024 (China) and Expo İzmir 2026 (Turkey).

There will also be progress news from the organisers of the International Horticultural Show Euroflora 2022.

The ongoing impact of safety measures against coronavirus means that rather than a physical international conference, we shall be using the multi-faceted Hopin platform to host this online international event where delegates from around the world can meeting real-time.

We are very grateful to our Gold Sponsors IGMPR (creators of themed floral and horticultural attractions) and PERA Event (specialising in major event management) for their support of the conference. These companies are also AIPH Preferred Partners. IGMPR Director Ibo Gulsen will be giving a presentation about creating a unique floral event within your Expo.

Registration is free and you will be able to network with delegates and sponsors starting from 7am (GMT), and all from the safety of your home office device.

AIPH extends its appreciation to AGES (Association of Global Event Suppliers), Major Events International, Biophilic Cities and media partners HOST CITY and FloraCulture International magazine.

AIPH Secretary General, Mr Tim Briercliffe, comments, “We are delighted to welcome our Expo organisers and all delegates to the AIPH Expo Conference. AIPH approved expos are beautiful events, which are enjoyed by millions of visitors wherever they are staged. Cities around the world are looking to further develop their green credentials and urban spaces, as well as driving the appreciation and benefits of plants and flowers in the built environment. In addition to seeing the interesting progress of our approved Expos, attendees will be able to network with delegates and learn more about how staging an International Horticultural Expos can bring great benefits to the host city, not just during the Expo itself, but for years to come.”

During the first lockdown, many people took to making their own worlds beautiful by growing plants to help cope with the uncertainty. A vast body of scientific research shows us growing plants enhances lives, advances societies, and will sustain our planet, for this generation and the next.

The International Association of Horticultural Producers: AIPH is a non-profit organisation that has been pursuing key activities to support the global ornamental horticulture industry since 1948.

AIPH approves the most exceptional horticultural exhibitions

In addition to being the world’s champion for the power of plants, we have a mandate by international convention to be the international body responsible for approving the world’s most exceptional horticultural exhibitions.

AIPH approval has been the pre-requisite for a horticultural Expo to receive the recognition of the International Exhibitions Bureau (BIE) since 1960.

The most recent World Horticultural Expo was in Beijing, China, in 2019. It attracted over nine million visitors. Currently, we have approved seven expos between 2021 and 2027 in Europe and Asia.

Horticultural expos can vary from 25 to 500 hectares in size and last 5 to 6 months. Expos in Europe tend to attract 2 – 4 million visitors, whereas those in Asia tend to draw 5 – 10 million. The minimum number of international participants required is 10, but numbers at previous expos have been between 10 and over 100.

At our AIPH conferences, held twice a year internationally, cities seek AIPH approval to stage these spectacular events, often as part of a city development or regeneration programme. In September of this year, we hosted a virtual online conference, with delegates participating from every continent of the world made up of host cities, potential host cities, AIPH Members, horticultural industry representatives, major event service providers and the media.

AIPH Secretary General, Tim Briercliffe says: “The pandemic has created real challenges for organisers of major events like Expos but it has also highlighted the importance of green spaces and leisure experiences to improving quality of life. During 2020 Expo organisers have continued to prepare their events and new applications from cities around the world demonstrates the importance they attach to creating greener places to live and making better cities for the future.”

The following A1 World Horticultural Expos gave progress report presentations:

• Expo 2022 Floriade Amsterdam Almere (the Netherlands)
• Expo 2023 Doha Qatar
• World Horticultural Exhibition 2027 Yokohama (Japan)

And the following cities preparing B category International Horticultural Exhibitions followed:

• Expo 2021 Hatay (Turkey)
• 2021 Yangzhou International Horticultural Exhibition (China)
• Expo 2023 Kahramanmaras (Turkey)
• Suncheon International Garden Expo 2023 (South Korea)

As part of their application process for AIPH approval, the conference also received presentations from Chengdu (China), Izmir (Turkey) and Quang Binh (Vietnam), all seeking to host B category International Horticultural Exhibitions in the coming years. 

AIPH spreads awareness of the need for city greening

Green City is not just a faraway notion; there is a growing imperative to address climate change, air pollution, biodiversity, mental health, and social cohesion and the development of green cities will help balance these needs. 

Horticultural Expos are significant events for the national and international promotion of a host city. These events boost tourism, culture, business development, sustainability and green credentials, as well as the local and national horticulture industry. They especially encourage creative green space development and the importance of plants in our society and for our well-being. 

One of the pre-requisites for Horticultural Expo approval from AIPH stipulates the host city must demonstrate a genuine commitment to becoming an internationally recognised green city. 

AIPH Technical Advisor, Dr Audrey Gerber, says: “AIPH Expos attract millions of people. When they visit an Expo people see how plants play an essential role in many aspects of life. Home gardens contribute significantly to urban greening with much of the land in cities being privately owned or managed. We need individuals and communities to contribute to urban greening to make sure that our cities are liveable and resilient.”

Horticultural Expos create a lasting and beneficial legacy for the host 

In 2019, AIPH commissioned MI Associates, specialists in major events, to provide an event asset valuation of Category A1 and B Expos through a combination of research, economic modelling and strategic input. 

MI employed a direct expenditure methodology to calculate the projected expo economic impact. The metrics used were from the following data to create these projections: Attendance; Visitors; Visitor spend; Visitor nights, and Valuation. Also, MI identified and performed an evaluation of the non-economic and legacy benefits provided by these expos.

In the concluding report, Blooming Economies, the following conclusions focused on the Institutional Capacity Legacy. 

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AIPH Expo Support Programme

The AIPH has a support programme to help stage a World International Horticultural Expo and to bring together experts from different industries, often from outside the host city, to build together and deliver benefits for all before, during and after the Expo. Our Organiser’s Expo Guide is packed full of information. You can find many details, including our regulations and applications on the Exhibitions page on our website.

AIPH would be delighted to discuss the opportunity to host an expo, so please do speak to our AIPH Senior International Relations Manager treve.evans@aiph.org