More than 4,000 green industry professionals attend Farwest Show
The Oregon Association of Nurseries and the Farwest Show recently announced that more than 4,000 nursery industry professionals attended the 2024 Farwest Show, including more than 1,300 who were first-time attendees.
In addition, the show had more grower booths and more grower attendees than in 2023.
“This year’s Farwest Show floor had great energy with over 4,000 in attendance and more than 300 exhibiting companies representing many segments throughout our industry,” said Allan Niemi, director of events for the Oregon Association of Nurseries. “The show also experienced 8% more grower exhibit booths and over 15% more grower attendees. We heard many positive comments from exhibitors excited about the leads, sales and connections they achieved during the show. Overall, the Farwest Show provided strong value for buyers, sellers and industry professionals looking for innovative ideas, products and services to grow their business.”
“It’s the 51st Farwest show and it’s gone really well,” said longtime exhibitor Chris Robinson, co-owner of wholesale grower Robinson Nursery. “It’s a good opportunity to network with our neighbors and customers far and wide. This year we had a tree in the New Varieties Showcase and we were blessed that it won Best in Show and Retailers’ Choice awards. But what’s really the most important thing to me is that … we brought 55 people to the Farwest show so it gives an opportunity for all the people that are working hard on our farm year in and year out to come here and learn new things and network with like-minded individuals and come home and make the nursery even better.”
The show reportedly made a special effort to welcome new exhibitors as well as attendees, with floor signs designating first-time exhibitors to encourage attendees to stop by. A star on name badges of first-time attendees made them more visible and encouraged exhibitors to start conversations with them.
Samuel Hoefler of Etera, a sedum grower and supplier of pre-vegetated tiles for green roof plantings and first-time exhibitor, said they decided to exhibit after attending the show previously.
“The show has been great, we’ve met with a lot of people and a lot of people are interested in our product,” Hoefer said. “It’s a good audience and we do a lot of business with landscapers and nurseries as well so it’s good to meet people and put names to faces and try to meet people locally and beyond.”
The educational component provided by the seminars and nursery tours were also important aspects of Farwest.
“The feedback from attendees at this year’s Farwest Show seminars has been incredibly positive,” said Jamie Moore, events and education coordinator. “Participants were enthusiastic about the valuable insights and practical takeaways from each session. As for my own experience, I found this year’s seminars to be both engaging and thought-provoking, showcasing the depth of knowledge and passion within our industry. It was truly rewarding to see such engagement and to be part of an event that drives meaningful conversations and growth.”
The Farwest Show will return to the Oregon Convention Center Aug. 20-22, 2025. For more information, visit farwestshow.com.
Photo courtesy of Farwest Show.
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