Dutch green space sector in fine health

This is the conclusion reached by Mariëlle Schonewille, Head of Horticulture at organizer Easyfairs, after the recent successful edition of De Groene Sector Vakbeurs. On January 14, 15 and 16, more than 18,000 green professionals visited the 326 exhibitors in the Evenementenhal Hardenberg. Those are record figures.

Emphasis on innovation

Innovation took center stage during this edition of the trade fair. This was also evident in the companies and products that won prizes during the presentation of the Innovation Awards. In the Garden & Park category, Husqvarna won with its EPOS Robotic Mower and in the Green Decoration category, Sempergreen made it with its biodiversity package. There was also the presentation of the Most Sustainable Gardener of the Netherlands 2019. In the category companies larger than ten employees, Herman Vaessen won and in the category up to ten employees, S-kwadraat took the prize.

Massive interest

More than 18,000 professionals filed into the exhibition halls to discover the latest techniques, machines and products that the more than 300 exhibitors had in store for them. The Green Inspiration Park was again a big eye-catcher, as were the demonstrations by the Axetreme Team. Another hit on the show floor was the Knowledge Theater, where several sessions were held. During his lectures, NOS weather forecaster Peter Kuipers Munneke highlighted the opportunities for greenery through adaptation to increasingly extreme weather conditions.

Enthusiastic students

The Vmbo morning was also well attended for the second year in a row. 180 students were made enthusiastic for the profession and were introduced to the green sector during workshops given by the exhibitors. Mariëlle Schonewille: "This is a great example of how we can make young people enthusiastic about the profession. This was also an excellent opportunity for the exhibitors to get to know 'their employees of the future' already." Such a cooperation between education and companies is already planned for the 2021 edition as well."

Scoop: the smartbadge

Proof that Easyfairs and the Groene Sector Vakbeurs are also fully committed to the future was provided by the presentation of a smartbadge to each visitor. Through the integrated chip, this allowed everyone to scan products and stands to get more information. Each visitor received an e-mail after the event listing the booths that were scanned. Exhibitor Stihl was scanned the most and received a gift from the organization for this. Tommy Nagtegaal of Stihl attributes this success in part to the strategic placement of the smartcard readers on their booth, at the information desk and next to innovation.

On to 2021

The next edition of De Groene Sector Vakbeurs will be organized on January 12, 13 and 14, 2021. The layout of the Evenementenhal Hardenberg will be specially adapted for the occasion. More than one hundred exhibitors have already booked their places for 2021.