Mar 27, 2008

More to Love at 2008 OFA Short CourseSource: OFA

With new offerings and an inspiring “Learn, Grow and Connect” theme, the 2008 OFA Short Course, taking place July 12 to 15 in Columbus, Ohio, promises to be better than ever this time around.

The floriculture industry’s premier educational and trade show event brings together about 10,000 industry professionals from around the world for four days of education and three days of trade show bliss. The annual staple event includes product showcases, educational sessions and unparalleled networking opportunities, among other treats.

Still undecided? Here are a few more reasons to attend:

Learn. New products are introduced into the industry each year, and the annual OFA trade show is the place to learn all about them. Totaling more than 7 acres, this year’s trade show has more than 1,500 exhibit spaces showcasing products for all kinds of green-industry businesses, from retail to nurseries and greenhouses.

Grow. With more than 130 educational sessions, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow your business, industry knowledge and personal skills. Covering every facet of the green industry and drawing on leading researchers and seasoned industry professionals, the four-day education sessions have something for everyone.

Connect. Whether in panel discussions, hallway conversations or after-hour networking chats, you’ll have an opportunity to connect with other industry professionals – and learn from each other – like never before.

As if the educational sessions, trade show and networking opportunities the Short Course has gained fame for aren’t compelling enough reasons to attend, they’ve also added some new offerings to the mix this year:

Merchandising display. If you’re curious about what the retailers are doing to increase sales, you’ll definitely want to check out the new merchandising display area. This interactive session will allow attendees to actually get involved while learning about the top merchandising tips and trends.

Sustainability. With five Monday educational sessions, the Town Hall meeting and an area devoted exclusively to environmentally responsible products, this will be a major new focus for the 2008 Short Course. Similar to the New Products area, the “Green Planet” area will feature new products considered to be eco-friendly.

ANLA annual meeting. Last but not least, in following with the trend for a more holistic view of the industry, this year’s Short Course will host the American Nursery & Landscape Association’s (ANLA) Annual Conference. ANLA leaders will arrive early for their three-day meeting (to be held July 11 to 13) and then join OFA in educational sessions and on the trade show floor.

For additional information, call (614) 487-1117, e-mail ofa@ofa.org, or visit http://www.ofa.org/.