The combination of the ambassador of Thailand to Canada, Toronto Botanical Garden and an exciting major announcement made for an impressive event on June 11th.

The big news of the evening was the proposal from LO and CNLA for a world class international garden exhibition, sanctioned by the Association of International Producers of Horticulture (AIPH) and the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), to take place at Ontario Place during the summer of 2011.

Thai ambassador Snanchart Devahastin outlined his country’s experience hosting such an event. The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 was a major undertaking for his country. He explained that it brought in millions of tourist dollars over the course of the two-month exhibition.

Michel Gauthier, who MC’d the event, told those present that the proposed Canadian version would celebrate Ontario Place’s 40th anniversary with a world class garden event. “The Toronto International Garden Rendezvous would energize the sustainable development of Ontario Place while branding Toronto as a green capital,” said Gauthier.

Canadian and international garden and landscape designers would create an exciting, cutting edge and innovative horticulture experience featuring the latest trends in gardening and sustainable environmental practices.  

The Toronto International Garden Rendezvous would operate from the long weekend in May until the long weekend in October, 2011. It would be open seven days a week.

“The wow factor of this event would be unparalleled in Canada,” said LO executive director Tony DiGiovanni.

It was noted throughout the evening that the proposal was still in discussion stage. Time is of the essence in order to hold the event for 2011, as a great deal of planning and organization is required to make an exhibition of this magnitude a success.

Caption: LO president Bob Adams (left) and executive director Tony DiGiovanni (right), welcome Thai ambassador Snanchart Devahastin.