Indiana Green Expo 2023 Recap
There were over 900 pre-registered attendees, including staff and speakers as well as over 350 exhibitors, and 200 on-site registrations for the 2023 IGE.
The Indiana Green Expo wishes to thank the following Sponsors that assist in alleviating some of the inherent cost of putting on an event of this stature.
Corporate Sponsors: Blue Grass Farms of Indiana, Brehob Nurseries, Schuetz Insurance Services/ proud to offer Frankenmuth Insurance and Townsend Arborcare.
Lanyard Sponsor: Syngenta
IGE 2023 Tote Sponsor: Greendell/Musselman Landscape Supplies
Lounge Furnishing Sponsor: The Engledow Group
Lounge Break Sponsor: Midwest Groundcovers
Session Sponsor: PW – Proven Winners Color Choice
Landscape Challenge Sponsors: Belgard, Brickworks – Edgewood Landscape Supply, Brehob Nurseries, Greendell/Musselman Landscape Supplies and Perennials Plus
First Day – January 30, 2023
The fist day was full of very well attended morning and afternoon sessions of workshops, as well as the first day of the 2-day initial training for ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Paver Installation) class. While the various workshops were going on, ranging from Developing the most Robust Crabgrass Program: Using science to Prevent Failures, Interactive Plant Problem Diagnosis, Pollinator and Monarch Conservation in Green Spaces, Getting to the root of the problem: Biology and Management of Soilborne Diseases, Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH) Review and Exam, which is the only state approved certification program, to TURF 101: an overview of Turf Management; some 100+ exhibitors began filling up Hall F to exhibit their wares.
Day 2 – First day of Trade Show and Full Education Tracks
The education tracks on Day 1 included the following sessions with most having Continuing Credit Hours (CCH) for applicator/RT licensing from the Office of the Indiana State Chemist (OISC), as well as Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH -INLA) Continuing Educational Units (CEU) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSA). Tuesday’s Educational Tracks included the following as well as joint opening session; Lawn Care (full-day), Golf (full day), Landscape Installation and Maintenance (full day), Vegetation Management (half-day), Sports Turf (half-day), Plant Material (half-day), Spanish Track (full day) and Tree Care (3/4 day). Also, Tuesday was the second day of the ICPI Initial Installer Certification with the afternoon part of the day included the Certification Test. While this was all transpiring, educationally speaking, the Trade Show full over varying exhibiting company’s was open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, one hour longer by opening at 9:00 am instead of the usual 10:00 am. New for 2023 was also talks on the trade show floor from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm following the Landscape Challenge from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The abbreviated version of the popular landscape challenge lessened by 1 hour and 80 square feet, could only be accomplished by 4 Central 9 students, which were split into 2 teams, due to Prosser Career Center unable to make the trip from New Albany because of ice storm. Also new for 2023 was the implementation of opening the concession stand inside Exhibit Hall F from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. There were several companies also exhibiting new products in the New Product Showcase designated area. We also handed out some Best of Show Awards for certain categories to our exhibitors. The winners are as follows: Hardgoods – Techo-bloc, Green Goods – Walters Garden/National Nursery Products, Equipment – United Label, and Most interactive – Millcreek Gardens. Congrats to all the winners, your displays and enthusiasm were over the top!
Day 3 – Final Trade Show (half day) and Educational Tracks (full day)
While the trade show was open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm to allow exhibitors to teardown and load up after 1:15 pm, the concessions were open from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm and educational talks on the trade show floor were available from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. Exhibitors generally prefer to leave when there is less traffic in the Indianapolis Metro area. The educational tracks for Wednesday included the following tracks; Workshop – Core Pesticide Training, Lawn Care (full day), Golf (full day), Sports Turf (3/4 day), Women at Indiana Green Expo (half day), Equipment Managers (half day), Landscape Installation and Maintenance (full day), Nursery Production (half day), Plant Material (half day), Invasive Species (half day), Design (1/4 day), and Business and Marketing (half day).
We trust and hope that with this much diversification of topics as well as the various expertise in the speakers that we assemble will create the need to attend the 2024 IGE, which takes place January 16-19, 2024 at the Indiana Convention Center.
On behalf of the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF) and the Indiana Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA), partners for the Indiana Green Expo, we wish everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2023.
See you in person at the Indiana Green Expo 2024!!!!