The WESTERN Trade Show to Become National Green Centre

The Western Nursery and Landscape Association recently announced the expansion and rebranding of its annual tradeshow and conference, The WESTERN. Beginning in 2011, the event will be named the National Green Centre and alternate between downtown St. Louis’ America’s Center and the Overland Park Convention Center near Kansas City.

“This rebranding will build upon the historical success of the WESTERN while expanding the event to serve the national nursery, lawn and garden retail, and landscape contractor markets,” said Executive Director Sarah Woody Bibens.

The National Green Centre will feature world-class education, with five educational tracks to address the diverse needs of retailers, growers and industry contractors. Topics for 2010 include social media marketing, new plant introductions, university research, energy efficiency and lean flow. Exhibitors from throughout the United States and Canada will also be on hand to showcase their newest products.

“As the horticulture markets continue to change, the need for a powerful, national event to help bring the industry together and provide…meaningful, educational programming and networking opportunities has never been greater,” added Jim Mason, 2010 association president. “The center of the U.S. is ideal for a true national conference. By alternating between St. Louis and Kansas City, we’ll be maximizing the potential for growth…a third of the country’s population is within one day’s drive of St. Louis.”

For more information, call (888) 233-1876 or visit the Green Centre Show’s website and sign up for the weekly e-newsletter. You can also connect with the show on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.