Mid-American Horticultural Trade Show Largest in 31-Years

The 2004 Mid-America Horticultural Trade Show January 14-16 at its new home in Chicago?EUR??,,????'???s Lakeside Center, McCormick Place, was attended by 11,381, a 31-year record (13,086 registered, an eight percent increase over last year). There were 655 exhibitors, 136 which were new exhibiting companies.

Thirty-eight percent of the attendees were in landscape services; 18 percent were growers; and about 12 percent were retailers. Nearly 36 percent of the registrants were owners or corporate officials; nearly 24 percent were managers or foremen, indicative that the Mid-Am attracts the decision makers that purchase equipment, supplies and services.

Forth-six states were represented, five Canadian provinces and 11 foreign countries.

?EUR??,,????'??We added 65 more exhibitors and increased the exhibit space by more than 33,000 sq. ft. over last year,?EUR??,,????'?? noted Rand Baldwin, CAE, managing director of the Mid-Am.

The Greenhouse Growers?EUR??,,????'??? Conference debuted as an educational component. The combined conferences attracted 1,033 registrants.

The Mid-Am is the top U.S. horticultural trade show. It is sponsored by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association, Illinois Nurserymen?EUR??,,????'???s Association, and the Wisconsin Landscape Federation. For more information, go to www.midam.org.