The digital fairs of the Green Sector that you cannot miss

Handshakes, travel, exchanging cards, backpacks and suitcases, meetings at the stands ... All of this will generally have to wait until at least 2021. Health restrictions and fear of the coronavirus has led to the digitization of many fairs, congresses and courses that affect various economic sectors, including that of flowers and ornamental plants. During the first part of the year, with the toughest months of the pandemic, the norm was the postponement of fairs and the beginning of the virtual experience that will be replicated until the end of the year in important events in Spain and other countries around the world.

Many of the fairs that were scheduled for autumn and winter have been postponed directly to 2021, such as Spoga + gafa, Glee, Flormart or OPF México. Others have wanted to maintain their contests with new formats that include digital exhibitions or professional contacts through video. Analogue gives way to streaming, downloading files, increasing the use of email, calls or web chats.

What are the main digital events for the next few months?

Next week, on September 14 and 15, the French fair Salon du Vegetal will be held, which in its digital version will allow access to contacts between professionals, get catalogs, and will offer programming on two digital television channels with presentations and debates. The latter will discuss what lessons can be learned from the current health crisis.

In October the focus of the sector will be on the Spanish fairs Iberflora, Eurobrico, and Ecofira, Fruit Attraction and Flower & Garden. The first three were to be held jointly at Feria Valencia starting October 6 and will finally continue their activity through the internet. About Iberflora, as previously reported by GuíaVerde, it will be held under the name Iberflora Digital throughout the entire month of October, launching the first Feria Valencia Marketplace. The organizers, Eurobrico and Ecofira, have also reported a virtual edition without giving even more details.

With regard to Fruit Attraction and Flower and Garden that were held jointly at Ifema at the end of October, they will finally be held digitally from October 1 to 31 as Fruit Attraction LIVEConnect, including days of debate, presentations and awards ceremonies.

In November, professionals will be able to virtually visit Asia Fruit Logistica ON (November 18-20) and Eima - the machinery fair in Italy - which will take place from November 11-15.