Compared with last year, the exhibition surface around Hall 8 has been expanded by 226 000 m². This is because the garden bbq show segment has been complemented by an Outdoor Kitchens feature and the Outdoor Kitchen World theme island. Other new theme islands for this year are the Smart Gardening World and IVG Powerplace Battery. As a further innovation designed to highlight the trend theme of plants, so-called POS added value islands will visualise ideas for specific retail space design in garden centres and DIY stores.
In line with the new concept introduced by the fair organisation, the "Spoga+Gafa experience", the POS added value islands can be visited alone or as part of a guided tour. Up to five such islands on the Boulevard of Ideas, on Passage 4/5 and in Hall 5.1 are intended to offer visitors inspiration on their way around the fair. The planned themes are "Healthier living with plants", "DIY indoor gardening", "Edible green", "Enjoy and experience scents" and "Cacti".