Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 21, 2015)
August 21, 2015 CapitalPress.com 3 Farwest Show brings buyers from around world By ZANE SPARLING Capital Press PORTLAND — Oregon’s second-most valuable agricultur- al product isn’t cherries, raspber- ries or hazelnuts. It is horticulture, which in- cludes everything from sculpted shrubs to ornamental flowers. Horticulture will be the star of the Oregon Nursery Association’s 2015 Farwest Trade Show. Growers, suppliers, land- scapers and wholesalers rep- resenting Oregon’s $830 million commercial nursery industry will gather for the three-day show at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The show begins on Thursday, Aug. 27. Tom Kegley, the marketing consultant for the trade show, said that after years of delayed plantings and stretched invento- ries, growers have regained their confidence in the decorative landscaping market. “Coming out of the reces- sion, attendance is going back in a positive direction, and not just attendees, but booths,” Kegley said. “People are really, truly optimistic.” Kegley said that positive out- look is tied to the recovery of the housing market, which slumped after the housing bubble burst in 2008. “Housing is what runs this entire industry, that’s what I think,” Kegley said. “And as housing goes, so goes the nurs- ery industry.” Last year, almost 400 exhib- itors were at the show, attracting more than 5,500 attendees from 45 states and 11 countries, ac- cording to the 2014 Post-Show Report. Nearly 75 percent of nursery plants grown in Oregon are sold across the country. This year’s trade show in- cludes an expanded exhibitor list, as well as seminars, educa- tional classes and guest speak- ers. Ron Rosenberg, a marketing and customer service guru, will give the keynote address, “Must be Present to Win: The Secret to Finding the Opportunities in Business and Life that Other People Miss!” Allan Niemi, who coordi- nates events and education for the Oregon Association of Nurs- eries, praised Rosenberg in a press release for his message of “opportunity and action.” “The industry is on the rebound from the recession. Rosenberg’s keynote address will accelerate its momentum and unleash the power of its po- tential,” Niemi said. The run-up to the trade show is filled with ag-related events. From Aug. 24 to 27, the Oregon Convention Center will host the 2015 International Trials Con- ference, which brings a multina- tional group of experts in plant breeding together to discuss methodology and standardiza- tion of trial testing for annual, perennial and woody plants. Farwest will also feature its annual pub crawl, as well as other networking events for women and young profes- sionals in horticulture. Kegley, the marketing consultant, said Equipment Innovation Day, a favorite of attendees, will return on Tuesday, Aug. 25. This year, they will travel to GK Machine Inc. in Donald, Ore., for product demonstrations and a look at au- tomation in farming. The New Varieties Show- case, another feature of the Farwest Show, focuses on im- provements to plants’ form, function and color. While some attendees find the bright colors of flowering perennials most at- tractive, Kegley said it was the subdued trees that caught his eye at the showcase. “We sometimes take those evergreen plants for granted — they’re kind of thought of as work horses,” Kegley said. “Some of those interesting char- treuse colors and miniatures … I find very interesting.” Prices good thru 8/31/15 Greenhouse Manufacturing & Supplies Greenhouse Size WE HAVE A TO FIT EVERYONE’S NEEDS, FROM RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL! 10x12 Kit Starting @ $1422.00 503-678-2701 1-800-347-2701 (outside OR) FAX: 503-678-2789 www.ovg.com • ivans@ovg.com 20357 HW 99E • AURORA, OR 97002 Receive 5% Off Your Next Greenhouse Frame Bring this ad to the show. Must place order by August 31, 2015. Frame only - not valid on sale items. 30x96 Semi Gable Frame MECHANICAL PIPE Corrugated Poly Carbonate 4’ 2” wide sheets 8’, 10’, 12’, 14’, 16’ & 24’ lengths 10-year warranty on light transmission Clear ~ $0.96/ft 2 ALSO OFFERING Roll-ups Poly Exhaust Fans Wire Lock Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press A view of the 2014 Farwest Show at the Portland Convention Center. This year’s show will be Aug. 27-29. Poly Carbonate Bench Tops Injectors Shade Cloth Code Structures Heaters Ground Cover Gutter Connects 6’ On Center, 4’ side walls, 13’ high Frame includes: 17-Bows 3-96’ Purlins 34-Legs 4-21’ End Braces Hardware & Instructions to assemble Frame w/1 7/8” 13 ga. Bows ~ $2736.15 Frame w/2 3/8” 13 ga. Bows ~ $3244.50 COME SEE US AT THE FAR WEST SHOW OREGON CONVENTION CENTER, AUGUST 27th-29th BOOTH #17045 N15-4/#7