By Gerry Ginsberg
Canada Blooms general manager

In the past 12 years, over one million visitors have celebrated the first breath of spring each March at Canada Blooms.

Founded by Landscape Ontario and the Garden Club of Toronto, Canada Blooms has grown to become the largest annual celebration of of this country’s internationally acclaimed floral and horticultural industry. Canada Blooms promotes and celebrates horticulture in all of its innovative forms. The feature gardens showcase the latest trends in design and landscaping excellence and our Garden Hall presents floral competitions that inspire participants from across North America with the latest designs from around the world.

We are pleased to announce that in 2009, Canada Blooms will honour Ontario and Canada’s commitment to horticultural excellence. From March 18 to 22, 2009, the Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s South Building will be transformed into a celebration of innovation that honours the exceptional work of our industry partners.

Many in our industry ask the question, “How can I get involved with Canada Blooms?”

Please consider the following opportunities for your participation:

• Members from Landscape Ontario and the Canadian landscape industry design and build Canada Blooms feature gardens, which are the signature of the event. Please think about participating in our 2009 celebrations by contacting Charlie Dobbin, our horticultural director, at charliedobbin@canadablooms.com. Feature garden spaces are available in sizes that range from 500-square foot balcony gardens to ‘wow’ gardens up to 3,000 square feet.
• Industry partners participate in the Canada Blooms Marketplace by presenting their exceptional products to over 100,000 attendees, who spend over $1 million annually at Canada Blooms. For further information on how to participate in the Canada Blooms Marketplace, contact Gilles Bouchard at gillesbouchard@canadablooms.com.
• Many of our industry partners would like to profile their outstanding products and services by reaching out to both industry members and the upper demographic audience that attends Canada Blooms each year. With this in mind, Canada Blooms has developed a range of exceptional sponsorship opportunities which will provide numerous benefits to any corporation. For further information, contact our sponsorship manager, Marthe Robertson at martherobertson@canadablooms.com.
• For details on other opportunities to participate in Canada Blooms 2008-’09, including our exceptional consignment ticket program, which allows you to bring your best clients to view the innovation of our industry, contact me at 416-447-8655, ext. 24, or by email at gerry.ginsberg@canadablooms.com.

Over the past decade Canada Blooms has donated over $1 million to support Ontario community-based horticultural projects. We are proud of commitment to the beautification and responsible stewardship of our environment and hope that you will join us from March 18 to 22, 2009 during our celebrations of the horticulture industry, with the theme,‘Canada Blooms’.
 

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Gerry Ginsberg is the General Manager of Canada Blooms: The Toronto Flower and Garden Festival. He may be reached at 416-447-8655, ext. 24, or gerry.ginsberg@canadablooms.com. The website address is www.canadablooms.com

Caption: Canada Blooms is an opportunity to show all the great things being done in horticulture and landscaping.