Ohio Field Trip

I've just returned home after a few mind-blowing days at Ohio Short Course in Columbus, Ohio, a 4 day greenhouse and garden centre conference and trade show. For four days, anyone in the green business, can take informative sessions, bus tours to see trial growing areas of new plant product, participate in design classes and competitions, and walk through the massive trade show. There are over 400 exhibitors showing what they have for us to bring into our stores and greenhouses. There are some amazing products out there but because we are in Canada, not all of the products are available to us. Nonetheless, we are able to tap into new information and ideas. There are so many amazing people with innovative ideas out there willing to share with us. (for a price :p!) There were people from Alaska, British Columbia, western United States and exhibitors from Australia, Hawaii, Germany, Netherlands, and of course Canada. Kevin and I left on Saturday around noon arriving at suppertime. We unpacked, then walked around to get our bearings for the next day. On Sunday, we attended the large Trade Show in between sessions. Monday was a similar day with sessions and trade show. At 6 pm Monday night, we headed over with Kev's hockey bag in tow, to the Nationwide Arena where the Columbus Blue Jackets play. A fun game of pick up hockey was organized by a plant supply company for anyone who wanted to play. It was also a fundraiser for America in Bloom to help beautify their cities. Lots of companies made a donation. A great chance for the guys to hang out on a more casual level and not talk shop. Kevin had fun and feels quite good today! Tuesday morning we headed over for one more walk-through of the large convention centre to take pictures of new varieties and neat displays. Unfortunately pictures don't do it justice but here are a few for you anyway.