+ + + A varied supporting program attracts visitors

Forum for gardeners: Focus on knowledge and exchangeThe new Gardeners' Forum in Hall 2 will focus on practice-oriented presentations, discussions and tours on current horticultural topics. Experts from the industry will share their insights into innovative production solutions, sustainable concepts and future strategies. The meeting point not only offers valuable inspiration for everyday work, but also an ideal platform for exchanging experiences and networking within the green community. Click here for the program and to register: Gärtnerforum.https://www.ipm-essen.de/weltleitmesse/rahmenprogramm/forum-fuer-gaertner-innen/Horticultural Technology Innovation Center: future technologies you can touchIn Hall 4, the Horticultural Technology Innovation Center will give short presentations on the future of the industry with sustainable and efficient technologies. Topics such as sustainability, peat reduction, automation and energy are the focus here. The cultivation of cannabis and vertical planting systems will also be discussed. The North Rhine-Westphalia Horticultural Association will kick things off on stage with the panel discussion “Garden shows in NRW: driving force for sustainable urban development”. The entire program at a glance: Horticultural Technology Innovation Center. In addition, the Horticultural Technology Innovation Center is also the starting point for guided tours of highlights in Technology Halls 3 and 4: Technology Trend Tourhttps://www.ipm-essen.de/weltleitmesse/rahmenprogramm/innovationscenter-gartenbautechnik/FDF World: Floristry in perfectionIn Hall 5, trade visitors can look forward to the FDF World of the German Florists' Association (FDF). Here, floral craftsmanship and spectacular live shows will be presented on the popular revolving stage and in elaborately designed showrooms. Germany's master florists and other international stars of the scene will be there, for example. Wedding floristry will be one of this year's focal points. Click here for the stage program: FDF-Worldhttps://www.ipm-essen.de/weltleitmesse/rahmenprogramm/fdf-world/

IPM Trade Fair Cup: Florists demonstrate their creativity

A celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and lots of creative flair awaits visitors and participants at the IPM Trade Fair Cup. Under the motto “Boundless blooming community”, the competition participants will showcase their skills and workpieces in the categories “Bouquet”, “Green Hero in a Pot” and “Container Planting”. The winner will be announced on the last day of the fair in Hall 5.

IPM Discovery Center: innovative POS concepts

Under the direction of Creative Director Romeo Sommers, the IPM Discovery Center in Hall 5 will showcase the latest sustainable retail and POS concepts for green products. Guided tours offer in-depth insights into current trends and successful sales strategies that create real added value for green retailers. Click here to register: Trend tours at the IPM Discovery Centerhttps://www.ipm-essen.de/weltleitmesse/rahmenprogramm/ipm-discovery-center/

Plant innovations in the spotlight: IPM novelty showcase

The best plant novelties will be honored on the first day of the trade fair. All exhibitors were invited to submit their novelties. This year, a total of 55 plants from 33 exhibitors from eleven countries are competing for the title of “IPM Novelty 2025” in the categories of flowering and green houseplants, spring-flowering plants, bedding and balcony plants, cut flowers, perennials, shrubs and potted plants. All innovations will be on display in the Horticulture Info Center in Hall 4.

Show Your Colours Award: Storytelling for plants

The Show Your Colours Award 2025 is all about the best story that expresses the added value of a plant. Both plants and plant concepts can be submitted. A total of ten companies will compete against each other in the race for the most creative storytelling. The award ceremony will take place on the Thursday of the fair at the BIZZ Holland stand in Hall 8. Click here for the nominations: Show Your Colors Awardhttps://www.ipm-essen.de/media/neue-medien/messen/ipm/essen/2025/nominaties-show-your-colours-2025.pdf

International Grower of the Year Awards

The IGOTY Awards, organized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) and FloraCulture International (FCI), recognize the world's best in ornamental plant production. The awards cover four categories: finished plants and trees, young plants, cut flowers and bulbs, and sustainability. The reception and presentation of the IGOTY 2025 will take place on Tuesday, January 28.

Premiere at IPM ESSEN: Green Cities Europe Award

Lyon, Wroclaw, Viacenza: greening projects in these three cities are in the final of the Green Cities Europe Award. Ten of the 13 European countries participating in the initiative of the European Nurserystock Association (ENA) had each put forward a national project in advance. From these, the jury used a points system to select projects from France, Poland and Italy as the top finalists. The finalists will be revealed at a ceremony on the Thursday of the trade fair opposite the stand of the Association of German Nurseries in Hall 7. There, interested visitors can also take a look at all ten projects that took part in the competition.

BdB seminar: first-hand specialist knowledge

On Wednesday, January 29, the Association of German Nurseries (BdB) invites you to the specialist seminar “Woody plants in the water-sensitive city”, which is dedicated to current challenges and future topics in the industry. The focus will be on climate-resistant woody plants, new requirements for gardening and landscaping and sustainable approaches to urban greening. The seminar offers practical presentations and in-depth insights that provide trade visitors with valuable inspiration for their day-to-day work.

Outlook for gardening and landscaping

“Circular economy in landscaping: shaping the future - occupying markets innovatively” is the title of the Future Congress of the North Rhine-Westphalia Garden, Landscape and Sports Field Construction Association on the Thursday of the trade fair. Climate change, scarcity of resources and social transformations require innovative solutions. The circular economy is a future-proof economic system that combines sustainability and business success. In their presentations, four renowned experts will shed light on the circular economy from different angles and establish a link to landscaping.

Promoting green talent

The supporting program of IPM ESSEN 2025 will place a special focus on promoting young talent and career prospects in horticulture. On Thursday, January 30, the “Career + Future Forum” in cooperation with Eugen Ulmer Verlag will offer practical presentations and discussions on training, studies and further education. Young professionals and career changers can find out about career opportunities here. The program at a glance: Career + Future Forum. Interested parties can find job offers and applications at the “Green Career Wall” in the Galeria. On January 29 and 30, the green associations invite school classes 9 to 12 to the career information event “We love Green - Experience green professions live!” to find out about the wide range of training opportunities in horticulture.

Speed Learning Tour: knowledge in 100 seconds

A special highlight is the “Speed Learning Tour”, which runs through the entire trade fair. In just 100 seconds, participants will receive exciting brief information on innovative horticultural topics from the participating exhibitors. After visiting at least ten stands, participants can fill out a route card with stamps and hand it in at the Young Gardeners stand in Hall 2. The route cards are available at the trade fair entrances. As an incentive, 21 breakfast vouchers worth 100 euros each will be up for grabs in the prize draw on the last day of the fair.

Discover trade fair highlights

Guided tours of the trade fair highlights will be offered from Tuesday to Thursday. Industry influencer Michael Perry, also known as Mr. Plant Geek, will guide participants to selected exhibitors and innovative products to provide a comprehensive overview of current trends and developments. Click here to register: Trade fair highlights

Meeting Point Climate Trees and Perennials: experience sustainable plant solutions

The Meeting Point in Hall 6 offers information and exchange on climate-resistant trees and insect-friendly perennials. Guided trade fair tours to exhibitors offering ranges that can withstand the changed climatic conditions take place twice a day. Registration is possible here: Meetingpoint climatic trees and perennials

FROM THE GREENHOUSE: Industry knowledge to listen to

In the official IPM podcast “FROM THE GREENHOUSE”, experts and innovative minds from the green sector have their say in exciting interviews and discussion rounds. The podcast highlights current trends, challenges and forward-looking developments. Visitors will have the opportunity to attend the recording in the Glashaus Studio in Hall 5 in the IPM Discovery Center and gain insights behind the scenes of the format. The presenter is Fenia Hirsch, known from the Gartenzeit podcast “GrünGerede”.

Always up-to-date: trade fair app and IPM daily

The free IPM trade fair app helps you plan your visit. The hall plan, including the locations of the exhibitors, makes it easier to find your way around the trade fair. The list of exhibitors makes it easy to put together a personal visit plan.

In cooperation with Eugen Ulmer Verlag, the “IPMdaily” is published daily in the form of a newsletter. It provides information about the daily program and trade fair highlights. Click here to register. IPM daily registration

Further information is available on the website www.ipm-essen.de and in the e-book.Creative Director Romeo Sommers will guide visitors through the IPM Discovery Center in Hall 5 and showcase the latest sustainable retail and POS concepts for green products. Guided tours offer in-depth insights into current trends and successful sales strategies that create real added value for green retailers. Click here to register: Trend tours at the IPM Discovery Center