Ireland will host over 200 delegates from 22 countries visiting Ireland on a five day itinerary, as part of the ‘International Garden Centre Congress’. The event, supported by Bord Bia, is designed to provide international garden centre owners with an insight into Ireland’s horticulture industry, valued at an estimated €500 million. A programme of activities has been coordinated to showcase the best of Ireland’s garden centres, gardens, horticulture producers and food and drink industry in counties such as Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny.
A snapshot of the ongoing activity can be seen on the congress Facebook page.
Over the coming days, the delegates who have travelled all over Europe and from countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Japan and the United States, will undertake educational study tours and a comprehensive networking programme, meeting horticulture experts and growers and learning about Bord Bia Awarded garden centres and Bord Bia Quality Assured nurseries. The week-long event will commence with a Gala Dinner at the Mansion House in Dublin attended by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, alongside guests comprising of Irish horticulture industry representatives and congress delegates.
About the International Garden Centre Association
The International Garden Centre Association exists to provide a forum for information exchange to benefit independent garden retailers worldwide. The Association is committed to improve the state of the art of the Garden Centre Industry. Rachel Doyle, form the Arboretum Garden Centre in Carlow, is the current President of the International Garden Centre Association. An annual Congress is held for one week each year in a different host country. Previous host countries have included Australia, Germany and Italy.