For Immediate Release

OFA SHORT COURSE – ONE OF NATION’S TOP 200 TRADE SHOWS – TO ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF HORTICULTURALISTS FROM JULY 10-13

More than 9,000 horticulturalists from more than 20 countries are expected to “Be at the Heart of Horticulture” at the OFA Short Course at the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center from July 10-13.

“The seven-acre trade show floor is sold out,” said OFA Membership & Communications Director Laura Kunkle, “and we have a new chief executive officer, Michael V. Geary, CAE.”

The OFA Short Course, presented by OFA - an Association of Floriculture Professionals, was named #142 of the Top 200 trade shows in the United States by Tradeshow Week earlier this year. Trade shows are ranked by the net square footage of space sold and the OFA Short Course first was included in the prestigious list in 2005.

The event, which includes about 540 companies in a 1,450-booth trade show, appeals to growers, garden centers, florists, interior plantscapers, managers and aspiring horticultural professionals. The colorful trade show is augmented by education sessions featuring experts from a variety of segments of the industry.

“Garden Center Live!” is a new event featuring a merchandising contest, merchandising concepts and an interactive area for retailers.

Throughout the OFA Short Course, new varieties and new products will be showcased, along with hands-on workshops, eco-friendly products and more.

The American Nursery & Landscape Association Annual Meeting and affiliated events will be held in conjunction with the OFA Short Course.

Four fund-raising events will raise money for America in Bloom, a national program promoting beautification programs through utilization of trees, plants and flowers. In addition, the plant material remaining upon conclusion of the trade show will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and the Columbus Housing Partnership.

Trade show hours are July 11 and July 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 13.

OFA, formed in 1929 as the Ohio State Florist Association, is the leading horticulture educational association in the country.

“We welcome the return of the OFA Short Course to the facility and are extremely pleased that the group has signed contracts to retain this annual event in Columbus through 2016,” said SMG Regional General Manager Craig M. Liston.

The Greater Columbus Convention Center, located in downtown Columbus, hosted an estimated 2.5 million visitors in 2009. The facility is owned by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and is managed by Philadelphia-based SMG.

Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities and convention, congress and exhibition centers. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 11 million square feet of exhibition space. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides construction and design consulting,
pre-opening services, venue management, sales, marketing, event booking and programming. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through an in-house catering company, Savor, currently servicing more than 100 accounts worldwide.

Visit www.columbusconventions.com and www.smgworld.com for more information.
Contact:
Jennifer B. Davis
Marketing & Communications Manager
Greater Columbus Convention Center
(614) 827-2538