Climate plants and resource conservation characterise IPM 2023

"The joy that IPM could finally take place again could be felt in every hall and at every stand," said Oliver P. Kuhrt, managing director of Messe Essen, summing up this year’s event. More than 40 000 trade visitors from over 100 countries came to Messe Essen, where 1 330 companies from 46 nations presented innovations and new products from the realms of plants, technology, floriculture and equipment from 24 to 27 January. According to Messe Essen, 33 per cent of visitors were from abroad, as compared with 40 per cent in 2020. Of the exhibitors, 66 per cent of the companies were foreign, four percentage points higher than in 2020.

The reduction in the number of exhibitors and visitors compared with 2020 (1 538 exhibitors and 54 000 visitors) had been expected in advance and was apparently not a problem for the fair participants. The mood during the event was considered extremely positive throughout, both on the exhibitor and visitor side.

Various start-ups presented their projects and solutions for sustainable production at IPM, both in the new Innovation Centre for Horticultural Technology and at the Young Innovative Companies stand. In the plant sector, "green climate heroes" that can cope with drought, heat and heavy rain were highly popular across all sectors.

The IPM Discovery Center, headed by green stylist Romeo Sommers, inspired visitors with sales concepts, while the Speakers' Corner covered topics including marketing and social media in the green industry.

IPM 2023 was once again a meeting place for florists from all over the world, according to the organisers. Among other things, preliminary selection took place for the international championship of young florists, Eurofleurs 2023, later in the year in Slovenia.  In addition, the best new plants received awards in the IPM New Plant Showcase and the "Show Your Colours" award was presented for the best floral storytelling.

Messe Essen reports that 95 per cent of exhibitors are planning to take part in IPM Essen again. Next year, IPM will take place from 23 to 26 January 2024, with a special programme to mark the 40th anniversary.