The 2017 Farwest “Be Far From Ordinary”Show took place on Aug. 23-25 in Portland, Oregon.Photo: Farwest
Nearly 6,000 green industry professionals attended the 2017 Farwest Show for the chance to be “Be Far From Ordinary” on Aug. 23-25 in Portland, Oregon.
“It’s great when people in the industry can converge, share their knowledge, make new connections and renew the relationships they’ve established previously,” said Allan Niemi, show director. “The green industry is made of strong fabric and that’s due to the lasting connections people make, beginning with a face-to-face encounter and a handshake.”
Show offerings included New Varieties Showcase and New Products Showcase, Retailer Idea Center and Grower Solution Center, a list of guest industry experts, new additions during and after show hours, three area nursery tours, networking opportunities and more.
The week kicked off with the full solar eclipse that brought many show goers to Oregon before the show started.
Approximately 18 percent of those who attended the show were first-time attendees, and the show hosted more than 400 exhibitors, including 57 first-time exhibitors. This year, the event brought together groups, plant professionals, businesses and job seekers from 45 states in the United States and 22 countries from around the world.
A few highlights of the show included the keynote from Terri McEnaney of Bailey Nurseries, 40 plus new plant introductions in the New Varieties Showcase, the traditional Farwest Pub Crawl, seminar presentations from industry leaders Dan Hinkley, Brie Arthur, Leslie Halleck, Gary Lewis, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, Sean Hogan and many others and gatherings for young nursery professionals and women in horticulture.
