Digger magazine

Serving the Northwest Nursery Industry for Over 50 Years

  • Digger-Employment_banner-2020-728x90px.jpg
  • NG_banner-2020-728x90px.jpg
  • FW_banner-2022-728x90px.jpg
  • Home
  • Articles
    • Nursery News
    • Features
    • Plants
    • Growing Knowledge
    • Operations
    • Nursery Country
    • Meta
  • Issues
  • Events
  • Farwest
  • Columns
    • Director’s Desk
    • Mike Darcy
    • Pivot Points
    • President’s Message
  • Employment Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
You are here: Home / Farwest Show / Farwest Show sees a jump in attendance

Farwest Show sees a jump in attendance

By Curt Kipp — Posted August 28, 2019

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The official numbers are in, and the 2019 Farwest Show, held August 21–23 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, saw an increase in attendance over the prior year, according to figures from show producers the Oregon Association of Nurseries.

As always, Farwest brought together different sectors of the green industry, giving everyone many chances to learn, network, and enhance the growth and the stature of their businesses. More than 5,000 nursery industry professionals from 20 countries and 44 states took advantage of these opportunities. They browsed the show floor, talked to exhibitors, attended the seminars, heard the keynote by Dr. Charlie Hall, took part in networking and social events, and more.

The exhibitor count remained stable, with nearly 400 exhibitors occupying booths on the show floor. The show gave them the chance to see many old and new customers in a short period of time.

“The exhibitors I talked to were all very happy with the way the show went this year,” said show chairman Patrick Newton, owner of Powell’s Nursery in Gaston, Oregon. “They felt like the people walking the show were actual buyers. I had two different people I know tell me they picked up new customers, and they were also able to see existing customers. It was all super positive.”

Turnout was packed at the show’s Happy Hour on Day One, which was held in the Convention Center lobby. The annual Farwest Pub Crawl, which visited three Eastside pubs, all within walking distance of the Convention Center, had its best turnout ever The Emergent Networking Event (for everyone, but focused on those under 40) and the Women in Horticulture event were also well attended.

Seminars had strong presenters and relevant topics, addressing such matters as the economy, nursery marketing, retail merchandising, Lean production, pest management, best plant and tree selections, the science of color, mentoring, business strategies, irrigation management and many more.

But for Newton, a nurseryman and exhibitor, it was all about seeing as many old and new customers as possible.

“I think it’s probably one of the best shows I’ve ever had,” he said. “It was busy the whole time. I had people circling the booth waiting to talk to me. It was all good positive stuff. For me it was awesome.”

He is hopeful that the show’s strong performance will continue. The value of the show comes from who is exhibiting and who is in attendance. He is already looking forward to the 2020 edition of Farwest, which will be held next August 26–28, again at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.

“If new customers are coming to the show, then it gives us all a reason to be there,” he said. “And if more exhibitors come, then even more buyers will show up.”

More news about Farwest 2019:

  • New Varieties Showcase people’s choice award winners
  • New Varieties Best of Show judge’s award winners
  • Farwest Show booth awards
  • Farwest Show releases

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • More
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket

Filed Under: Farwest Show Tagged With: Farwest, Farwest Show

About Curt Kipp

Curt Kipp is the director of publications and communications at the Oregon Association of Nurseries, and the editor of Digger magazine.

The Value of Membership

Meet the Leader: Rod Park

President’s Awards Banquet recognizes vital contributions

Meet the Leader: Mark Bigej

More member stories

NURSERY NEWS

Six decades of support

Bailey hires trade communications specialist

Pursell Agri-Tech hires director of turf and ornamentals

Fall Creek hires general counsel

Oregon State hires dean of agriculture sciences

More Nursery News

From the pages of Digger

June 2022 — The Sustainability Issue

May 2022 — The Technology Issue

April 2022 — The Tree Issue

March 2022 — The Greenhouse Issue

February 2022 — Retail Outlook issue

More issues of Digger

CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE

Virtual is the new reality – for now

Trade shows in the time of COVID

A demand ‘renaissance’ for nurseries

Western Nursery & Landscape Association falls victim to pandemic

MANTS 2021 to move online due to COVID-19

More articles

Nursery Guide LIVE

Nursery Guide LIVE clicks into place

Booth spaces still available for Nursery Guide LIVE March 17–18

Nursery Guide LIVE virtual marketplace postponed due to winter storm damage

Keynote presentations at Nursery Guide LIVE virtual marketplace provide insight on green industry trends in 2021 and beyond

More Posts from this Category

FARWEST SHOW UPDATES

Tailored to today’s customers

Little Prince repeats as Best in Show booth winner

Two stand out at New Varieties Showcase

Retailers’ Choice Awards embrace discoveries at Farwest

Farwest marks a gathering of new, returning faces

More Updates from Farwest

Connect with us online

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
​

Updates to exisiting subscriptions can be sent to info@oan.org

News

  • Nursery News
  • Growing Knowledge
  • Nursery Operations
  • Meta

Features

  • Plant Features
  • OAN Members
  • Oregon Nursery Country

Columns

  • Director’s Desk
  • Mike Darcy
  • Pivot Points
  • President’s Message

Resources

  • OAN Home Page
  • Job Listings
  • Subscribe to Digger
  • Advertise in Digger
  • Online Plant Search

© Copyright 2020 Oregon Association of Nurseries · Admin

 

Loading Comments...