The Gardeners Forum in Hall 2 will once again be one of the central knowledge platforms at IPM ESSEN in 2026. Industry experts, exhibiting companies and institutions will address the topics that are driving the market: The information programme offers space for keynote speeches, panel discussions, innovations and best practices.
Simultaneous translation will be provided for non-German-speaking trade fair visitors.
Programme overview:
Tuesday, 27.01.
Wednesday, 28.01.
Thursday, 29.01.
Friday, 30.01.
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10:30 - 11:00 am Anthura |
Powering the Future of Horticulture Anthura shares practical insights on energy-saving measures (LED lighting, dehumidifiers, shading screens) and alternative sources like wind energy, data centre heat recovery and even possibility producing our own H₂O₂. The key message? Don’t bet on a single source. The era of relying on one solution is over. Flexibility and diversification are essential for a sustainable future in horticulture. Fred Kruisselbrink |
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| 11:00 - 11:30 am | |
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11:30 - 12:00 am Brandkamp |
Customers of the future: How We as Breeders Prepare Our Partners for Generation Z This presentation highlights how Generation Z is reshaping the plant market and what this means for future assortments and marketing strategies. It explains how digital trends and the values of young consumers influence purchasing behavior and outlines the role breeders and young plant suppliers play in supporting growers and garden centers in responding to these changes. Leon Hünting |
| 12:00 am - 01:00 pm | BREAK |
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01:00 - 13:30 pm Bailey Nurseries |
Bridging the Gap: How Brands and Innovations Shape Tomorrow’s Horticulture A presentation by Bailey Nurseries exploring how strong plant brands and continuous innovation are shaping the future of horticulture, and how these developments help bridge the gap between growers, retailers, and consumers. Alec Charais (Chief Marketing + Product Development Officer) |
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01:30 - 02:00 pm Hans Brainfood GmbH |
Market opportunities with cannabis seeds: Legally compliant and profitable additional sales The growing demand for legal cannabis seeds is opening up a new, highly attractive market segment for horticultural businesses, specialist retailers, and nurseries. In this presentation, Matthias Coufal (Hans Brainfood / BudVoyage) shows how companies can take advantage of the new sales opportunities – legally compliant, transparent, and without the typical pitfalls. Topics covered include variety selection, legal framework, quality criteria, price points, and successful marketing strategies. Ideal for companies that want to expand their portfolio and tap into additional sales potential in the legal cannabis seed sector in 2026. Matthias Coufal (Managing Director, HANS Brainfood GmbH and BudVoyage) |
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02:30 - 03:00 pm Pflanzenschule |
Green Learning - the learning app for all subjects, with completely new features Green Learning is the green learning app for trainees, career changers, and anyone to learn in the horticulture. Users can expand their knowledge through quizzes. Plant knowledge, fertilization, plant protection, construction techniques, general business knowledge – the questions cover all relevant topics in these fields. Multiple choice, matching, or spelling; knowledge is tested in various question types to ensure learning progress. More than 5,000 questions with numerous images are available. What makes Green Learning special is that the content was developed by motivated experts from the horticulture. Green Learning offers a choice between different difficulty levels and subject areas. The new "Your Learning Path" feature allows trainers to send and review assignments for their trainees. There is also a new question type and company-specific leaderboards. Die Pflanzenschule: Nicole Klattenhoff und Finn Schachtschneider |
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03:00 - 03:30 pm |
Market development in specialist retail: Networked value chains as a response to tighter margins The flowers and plants market stagnates and falling volumes and tighter margins pose challenges for producers and traders alike. One way to counter this development is to achieve closer integration between production and sales and a more fluid connection of different sales channels. Dr. Henning Krause (Head of Producer Management at Landgard) |
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10:30 - 11:00 am SEO Agentur Essen |
AI & online visibility – How companies can improve their B2C & B2B marketing In this compact, hands-on presentation, nurseries and landscaping companies will learn how to strategically use AI tools to improve their online visibility and reach more business and retail customers. The talk demonstrates specifically how artificial intelligence can support website content creation, search engine optimization, and targeted outreach to the right audiences. With practical examples and actionable tips, participants will gain a realistic overview of how to strengthen their digital presence with manageable effort – without needing to become IT specialists. The speaker, Dr. Jonas Polfuß, is a Professor of Marketing at IU International University of Applied Sciences and ranks among the leading experts in AI-powered search engine optimization and PR. Prof. Dr. Polfuß |
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11:30 - 12:00 am Kekkilä-BVB |
Climate smart growing, for healthier food and greener living Climate destabilisation is affecting the whole horticulture value chain. Extreme weather, droughts and flooding need to be taken into account. As a growing media producer we are aware of our responsibility to support climate smart growing. Our most important job? Bring performance to life. We do this by lowering our growing media footprint, while optimizing the cultivation fit. Ultimately, climate smart growing is a sector wide responsibility and a unique strength that we contribute to everyday. |
| 12:00 am - 01:00 pm | BREAK |
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01:00 - 02:00 pm WIR SIND GARTEN |
Don't be afraid of neophytes!!! The lecture deals with the importance of biodiversity in gardens, on balconies and terraces, as well as with natural gardening. Horst Mager, Thorsten Brämer |
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02:00 - 02:30 pm Anthura |
Powering the Future of Horticulture Anthura shares practical insights on energy-saving measures (LED lighting, dehumidifiers, shading screens) and alternative sources like wind energy, data centre heat recovery and even possibility producing our own H₂O₂. The key message? Don’t bet on a single source. The era of relying on one solution is over. Flexibility and diversification are essential for a sustainable future in horticulture. Fred Kruisselbrink |
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02:30 - 03:30 pm WIR SIND GARTEN |
Gardens in Transition – Insights for the Green Industry Our new study “Gardening in Transition” is here! Together with our partners SBM Lifescience and the Zentralverband Gartenbau (ZVG), we have once again researched the latest gardening trends in German hobby gardens – and taken a closer look at the topics of peat-free gardening and plant protection products. Thorsten Brämer |
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03:30 - 04:00 pm Haymarket / Hortweek |
Marketing Questions the Plant Industry Should Be Asking Michael Perry chairs a HortWeek debate on plant marketing, following 2025's successful seminar on why we need new plants. The 2026 event will explore: • Understanding Today’s Plant Consumer: Are purchasing patterns shifting toward different types of plants? Is the customer journey moving online, or does it remain rooted in bricks-and-mortar stores? • Sustainability & Performance: Is consumer knowledge regarding sustainability and peat-free options increasing? Are we still promoting plants that fail to deliver results for the end consumer? • Digital Marketing & Online Presence: Navigating the digital landscape. • In-Store, Experiential & Real-World Marketing: Creating impact at the point of sale. • Industry Strategy & Communication: Cohesive approaches for future growth. Michael Perry and a panel of Experts |
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10:30 - 11:00 am 04:00 - 04:30 pmSEO Agentur Essen Ulmer Verlag |
Between fact and fiction – finding your way in the digital age News and information reach us through numerous channels. This also applies to specialist information in the green sector. Every manager faces challenging questions: How do I cope with the ever-increasing flood of information? And how do I recognise which information I can trust? The keynote speech takes us on a search for clues, even if there are no easy answers. Christoph Killgus |
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10:30 - 11:00 am 04:30 - 05:00 pmSEO Agentur Essen Staudenring |
The Beetplaner Pro – the new, digital garden planning tool With the Beetplaner Pro, you can easily and digitally plan your garden with perennials and grasses. New features enhance the user-friendly and intuitive application: the new graphic integration allows you to insert trees, shrubs, and other design elements directly into the plan – including a labeling function for a clear and concise presentation. Check current availability: you can see which plants are currently available directly during the planning process. This provides an overview of the available range at any time. Smart substitution function: no more planning interruptions; thanks to automatic suggestions for suitable alternatives to unavailable varieties, you can continue planning seamlessly. Tim Becker |
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10:30 - 11:00 am Haymarket |
What Stays, What Goes, What Comes: The Key Insights from 2025 A new year is beginning, but the challenges persist. Instead of just looking back, we analyze: Which headlines from the past year will continue to define your business in 2026? We filter the key themes from 52 weeks of reporting that you absolutely must have on your radar to ensure a strong start to the new season. This is an annual review that looks forward. Thilo Conrad (Strategic Marketing Manager) |
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11:00 - 12:00 am Fair Trade Deutschland |
empowers women in global cut flower supply chains The majority of workers on flower farms in Kenya and Ethiopia are women. Fairtrade supports certified flower farms in actively addressing the unequal power relations that disadvantage women in the workplace and in society. Through strong standards and projects such as the Blooming Flowers Project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Kenya, Fairtrade specifically empowers women. Employees of Fairtrade Africa and a project participant from a Fairtrade-certified flower farm report on what this looks like in practice. Katharina Schwab (Fairtrade Germany), Loise Mukami (Fairtrade Africa), Joan Odondi (Fairtrade Africa), Gonzaga Mungai (Fairtrade International), Anne Muthoni (Florensis Ltd.) |
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12:00 am - 01:00 pm |
BREAK |
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01:00 - 01:30 pm Selecta One |
RCS 2.0 - the substrate free rooting system that makes sustainabilty profitable RCS 2.0 (Rooted Cuttings System) is an innovative method for producing rooted cuttings without substrate, using biodegradable cellulose sleeves. This new approach offers compact, lightweight young plants that are easier to handle and transport, reducing costs and packaging needs. As a peat-free, substrate-free system made from biodegradable materials, RCS 2.0 combines sustainability with efficiency - cutting carbon emissions and waste while improving logistics and environmental performance. Floris Tas explains the benefits for producers and licensees and is available to answer questions. Floris Tas (Director of Sales) |
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01:30 - 02:00 pm Florensis |
Non Stop Blooms - an abundant source of flowers Non Stop Blooms stands for colourful perennials that flower reliably throughout the entire summer while being easy to produce and maintain. A well-designed concept that brings together breeding expertise, the needs of growers and end consumers and clear guidance for retail. Tobias Dittrich |
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02:00 - 02:30 pm Hans Brainfood GmbH |
Variety stability, genetic transparency, and quality control: How to produce competitive cannabis varieties in 2026 The legalization and rapidly growing market for cannabis seeds present new opportunities for horticulture - but also high demands. In this presentation, Matthias Coufal (Hans Brainfood / BudVoyage) shows how modern breeding processes, stable genetics, valid quality control, and transparent origin information make the decisive difference between average and marketable strains. Using practical examples, he will explain how producers can achieve strain stability, avoid THC fluctuations, ensure germination rates, and clearly differentiate themselves from pure resellers. The presentation is aimed at horticultural professionals, seed companies, and distributors who want to operate successfully in the new cannabis market in 2026. Matthias Coufal (Managing Director, HANS Brainfood GmbH and BudVoyage) |
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02:30 - 03:00 pm Anthura |
Powering the Future of Horticulture We will share practical insights on energy-saving measures (LED lighting, dehumidifiers, shading screens) and alternative sources like wind energy, data centre heat recovery and even possibility producing our own H₂O₂. The key message? Fred Kruisselbrink |
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03:00 - 03:30 Uhr pm Pflanzentheke |
Where to go with horticulture? - A contribution to a reliable, climate-resilient food supply Local horticulture and agriculture are under pressure; it is becoming increasingly difficult to produce in an economically and ecologically sensible way, especially in the area of special crops. At the same time, more and more people are living in urban centers. How can we achieve a year-round, mass-market, climate-resilient food supply with fresh, locally produced food? This presentation will showcase scalable, practical options for making vegetable cultivation more productive and efficient and bringing it closer to the people. Dr. Michael Müller |
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10:30 - 11:00 am 03:30 - 04:30 pmHaymarket Alexander Hildebrand |
Interior Landscaping Discover how plants are transforming our work and living spaces! Interior Landscaping combines design, sustainability, and technology – a creative profession with a bright future. In this broadcast, we’ll show why green spaces are not only beautiful but also healthy and innovative, and how you can become part of this growing industry. With exciting career opportunities in planning, design, and maintenance, you’ll find many paths to a greener future. Broadcaster Gerhard Zemp APLANTIS AG / Alexander Hildebrand PFLANZEN_FORUM GMBH |
| 10:30 - 11:00 am | |
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11:00 - 11:30 am Oboya |
The Future of Horticulture: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming the Global Supply Chain. Artificial Intelligence is already reshaping how we grow, package, and deliver plants and produce. In this keynote, Oboya’s President Robert Wu will talk about how AI-driven cultivation, smart packaging, and predictive logistics reduce waste, improve quality and enable scalable, sustainable horticulture. Bridging growers, breeders, retailers and supply partners. Robert Wu (CEO) |
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11:30 - 12:00 am Anthura |
Powering the Future of Horticulture We will share practical insights on energy-saving measures (LED lighting, dehumidifiers, shading screens) and alternative sources like wind energy, data centre heat recovery and even possibility producing our own H₂O₂. The key message? Fred Kruisselbrink |
Plan your visit to the trade fair!
