AmericanHort Renames Annual Convention & Trade Show

Columbus, Ohio – AmericanHort announced that its annual convention and trade show has been renamed to Cultivate – An AmericanHort Experience. Formerly known as OFA Short Course, Cultivate’14 will continue to offer premier educational and networking experiences, and more than 7 acres of trade show exhibits including technology, new products and services, and new plant varieties. This year also sees an expansion of products and services for retailers, nursery production, and landscaping. Thousands of attendees from more than 20 countries are expected this year.

“The word ‘cultivate’ reflects what happens at the event. Thousands of people attend each year to cultivate their businesses and professional networks,” said Michael V. Geary, CAE, the President and CEO of AmericanHort. “Updating the brand of the 85-year-old event makes sense for the vision of AmericanHort. Cultivate captures the essence of what the experience is for our attendees.”

“This is not your grandfather’s trade show. In fact, Cultivate is more than a trade show. It is a dynamic experience designed to offer interactive learning and community building, and it celebrates all of horticulture,” said Mark Foertmeyer, AmericanHort’s Chairman of the Board.

Geary said, “We refresh this event every year, and now the name truly reflects what people will experience. And industry companies use this event to introduce innovative products and new varieties. This is fitting in the host city of Columbus because it has also become known as an incubator for innovative companies, including some of the world’s premier retail brands.”

Considered to be the largest horticulture trade show in North America, Cultivate’14 will be held in Columbus, Ohio on July 12-15, 2014. Cultivate’15 will be held on July 11-14, 2015, and the future events are scheduled in Columbus, Ohio each July through 2018.  Visit www.AmericanHort.org/Cultivate.

AmericanHort was formed in 2014 by the consolidation of the American Nursery & Landscape Association and OFA – The Association of Horticultural Professionals. With a combined history of 220+ years, AmericanHort supports nearly 16,000 member and affiliated businesses that include breeders, greenhouse and nursery growers, garden retailers, distributors, interior and exterior landscape professionals, florists, students, educators, researchers, manufacturers, and all of those who are part of the industry market chain. The horticulture industry's production, wholesale, retail, and landscape service components have annual sales of $163 billion, and sustain over 1,150,000 full- and part-time jobs. Our mission is to unite, promote, and advance the horticulture industry through advocacy, collaboration, connectivity, education, market development, and research. The association has offices in Columbus, Ohio for administration and member services, and in Washington, DC to facilitate government relations and research activities.

Source: AmericanHort