There were over 850 pre-registered attendees, including staff and speakers as well as over 340 exhibitors, and over 200 on-site registrations for the 2024 IGE bringing the total attendance to a little over 1,400!
The Indiana Green Expo wishes to thank the following Sponsors who assist in alleviating some of the inherent cost of putting on an event of this stature.
Corporate Sponsors: Blue Grass Farms of Indiana, Brehob Nurseries, Schuetz Insurance Services/ proud to offer Frankenmuth Insurance, Outdoor Environments Group, and Proven Winners.
Lanyard Sponsor: Syngenta
Lounge Furnishing Sponsor: The Engledow Group
Session Sponsor: Midwest Groundcovers
First Day – January 17, 2023
The first day was full of very well-attended morning and afternoon sessions of workshops, as well as the first day of the 2-day initial training for ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Paver Installation) class. While various workshops were going on, ranging from The Short and Tall of Disease Diagnosis, Green Industry Math, Landscape Management for Entry-Level Professionals, Improving Organizational Performance, Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH) Review and Exam, which is the only state-approved certification program, to CPR, AED, and Basic First Aid Training; some 100+ exhibitors began filling up Hall F to exhibit their wares.
Day 2 – First day of Trade Show and Full Education Tracks
The education tracks on Day 1 included the following sessions with most having Continuing Credit Hours (CCH) for applicator/RT licensing from the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC), as well as Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH -INLA) Continuing Educational Units (CEU) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSA). Tuesday’s Educational Tracks included the following after separate opening sessions; Lawn Care (full day), Golf (full day), Landscape Installation and Maintenance (full day), Vegetation Management (half-day), Sports Turf (half day), Plant Material (half day), Spanish Track (full day), Women in the Industry (half-day), and a NEW Professional Development Track (half day). Also, Tuesday was the second day of the ICPI Initial Installer Certification. While this was all transpiring, educationally speaking, the Trade Show full of varying exhibiting companies was open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, one hour longer by opening at 9:00 am instead of the usual 10:00 am. This year, there was an INEF silent auction and raffle contest. Like last year, the concession stand inside Exhibit Hall F was open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Several companies were also exhibiting new products in the New Product Showcase designated area. We also gave some of our exhibitors “Best of Show” awards for certain categories. Congrats to all the winners, your displays and enthusiasm were over the top!
Day 3 – Final Trade Show (half day) and Educational Tracks (full day)
While the trade show was open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm to allow exhibitors to tear down and load up after 1:15 pm, the concessions were open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and educational talks on the trade show floor were available from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Exhibitors generally prefer to leave when there is less traffic in the Indianapolis Metro area. The educational tracks for Wednesday included the following tracks; Workshop – Core Pesticide Training, Lawn Care (full day), Golf (full day), Sports Turf (half day), Equipment Managers (half day), Tree Care (half day) Landscape Installation and Maintenance (full day), Nursery Production (half day), Plant Material (half day), Invasive Species (half day), Design (1/4 day), and Business and Marketing (half day).
We trust and hope that the diversification of topics as well as the various expertise in the speakers that we assemble will create the need to attend the 2025 IGE, which takes place February 10-12, 2025 at the Indiana Convention Center.
On behalf of the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF) and the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA), partners for the Indiana Green Expo, we wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2024.
See you in person at the Indiana Green Expo 2025!!!!