More visitors from Asia, America and Africa

Ninety per cent of the 1 447 exhibitors and 85 per cent of the approximately 60 000 visitors have already made known their intention to be present again at the next IPM Essen, which will be held from 28 – 31 January 2010. This is yet another sign of the confidence that the green sector will not be drawn into the economic crisis, or at least not to the same extent as other branches of the economy. Repeatedly heard at the trade fair was the word “cocooning”: even though consumers may postpone or reduce major investment projects, they will still attach importance to an attractive home, which involves plants and appropriate décor items in particular. The visitors to IPM came from more countries than ever before, with a strong increase in the number of visitors from Asia, America and Africa. The biggest visitor groups are plant producers, horticulturalists, florists, gardeners and landscape architects.