The spillover from Congress into Landscape Ontario’s (LO) newest fall buying show, Garden Expo became more evident with exhibitors moving from one show to the other, confirm organizers.

     Garden Expo is better timed for the retail garden centre owner or buyer who is looking to purchase stock for the next season, says Paul Day, trade show manager for both Congress and Garden Expo. “Instead of having booths in both shows, manufacturer and distributor companies may forgo a booth in Congress in favour of the fall buying show or may take a smaller booth,” he explains. This is the second year for Garden Expo, which has doubled in size since last year, and organizers expect will be sold out again for 2001.

     While this switch can be seen as both good and bad for Congress 2002, Day sees it as an opportunity to expand Congress’ presence as an international event, and looks to further participation from international exhibitors and attendees.

     The New Products Showcase area and exhibits from John Deere and General Motors will move into Hall Three of the Toronto Congress Centre to make space for additional conference rooms.

     The conference component of Congress 2002 is looking to hold onto its spot as one of the top rated seminar series, bringing back such notable speakers as Charles Vander Kooi and Professor Len Ritter, who are back by popular demand. Joining them will be David Phillips, author of The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry, and Bob Losyk who will talk about managing a changing workforce and time management for the busy entrepreneur.

     Garden Expo will run October 16 and 17 at the Toronto Congress Centre. Congress 2002 returns to the Toronto Congress Centre, January 8 to 10, 2002.