The Ohio Florists’ Association (OFA) gets set to plant some fresh ideas with the 2001 Short Course, with expanded trade show and top-rated educational seminars, July 14 to 18 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

     With a newly expanded arena in which to house the extremely popular event, the 2001 Short Course features an expanded and sold out trade show, with over 500 exhibitors taking residence in 1230 booths. 185 speakers will be on hand over the five days to present more than 180 seminars, making it the most diverse educational program ever.

     This year’s sessions will delve through such topics as “Countering High Energy Costs” with Al Zylstra of TrueLeaf Technologies/BioTherm, and provide food for thought for owners and employees of greenhouse growers, nurseries, garden centres, interior plantscapers, retail and wholesale florists and mass marketers. Keynote speaker Art Berg, professional motivational speaker and quadriplegic, will address courage, faith and resolution in his speech “The Impossible Just Takes a Little Longer,” a personal message — yet specifically tailored to the floriculture industry.

     Hands-on workshops, tours and interactive sessions are all planned, among them hands-on design sessions and retail marketing and management program conducted by world-renowned floral designer Gregor Lersch.

     New products and varieties will be on display and will give attendees a look at the latest innovations.

     The trade show runs July 15 to 17; the Short Course runs July 14 to 18. For more information, visit www.ofa.org or contact the OFA, 2130 Stella Crt., Ste. 200, Columbus, OH 43215-1033, Tel: 614-487-1117, Fax: 614-487-1216, E-mail: ofa@ofa.org.