February 2014 | Volume 35, Issue 2
FNGLA’S MONTHLY PUBLICATION: DIGITAL MONTHLY ISSUE LOCATED AT HTTP://GREENLINE.FNGLA.ORG
TPIE: Inspiration, Innovation and Creativity! An FNGLA signature event, the Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition (TPIE) brought together more than 6,100 industry professionals on January 22-24 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The show floor itself was the attraction with nearly 400 companies and more than 800 booths displaying the most diverse collection of commercially produced tropical plants, foliage and houseplants anywhere in the world. “TPIE is the very best way to start the year!” said Theresa Riley, co-owner of Rockledge Gardens and the 2014 TPIE Chairperson. “The exhibits were extraordinarily inspiring for the spring selling season. TPIE offered so many new opportunities to capture creative and innovative ideas to use back home.” New to TPIE this year was the TPIE Inspiration Entrance which highlighted products and plants inspired for weddings, special events and holidays. Professional floral designers presented workshops offering new ways to upsell tropicals and foliage throughout the show at the new TPIE Create Theater presented by the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). A new Innovation Lounge right on the show floor showcased videos highlighting unique ways of using plants and provided a comfortable rest stop and charging stations.
Excelsa Gardens took the prize for Best of Show with their elegant indoor/ outdoor patio space featuring their signature tropical plants as the living décor.
“We are always trying to keep TPIE fresh, exciting and new,” said TPIE show manager, Linda Adams. “This year we changed the floor plan so everyone came into the center of the show, creating a more open entrance and balanced traffic flow. FNGLA added new areas for learning and informal interaction on the show floor and programs highlighting industry success stories, such as the new Interiorscape Award Winners Showcase. We were very pleased with the participation in the new areas and how well the new floor plan was received.” The exhibitors set the bar high with elaborate, breathtaking and exciting displays to showcase their plants (Con’t page 3)