Organization/Event Description
On Jan. 1, 2014, AmericanHort was born out of the consolidation of the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) and The Association of Horticultural Professionals (OFA). With a combined more than 220 years of experience with the whole of the plant and horticulture services industry, AmericanHort was formed to unify the industry, improve collaboration, increase organizational efficiencies and expand the support for the industry’s business. What is now Cultivate, in 2014 was known as the OFA Short Course, and since 1930 it has been recognized as the premier educational and trade show event for horticultural professionals in North America. To reflect the consolidation of OFA and ANLA into AmericanHort, the association changed the name of Short Course to Cultivate in 2014. In 2014, Cultivate welcomed more than 10,000 attendees to Columbus, setting the event’s best attendance in more than a decade. Participants came from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and more than 22 other countries representing Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania and South America. The event gathered professionals from all aspects of the horticulture industry, including garden and floral retailing, greenhouse and nursery production, plant breeding, landscaping, interior plantscaping, research and education, and manufacturers and providers of products and services. In 2012, the OFA Short Course was recognized by Trade Show News Network as one of the 200 largest trade shows in the country (among all industries), making it the largest all-encompassing horticulture event in North America.
Cultivate and Columbus
Cultivate, formerly Short Course, has been held in Columbus for the majority of its 86 years since its inaugural event in 1930. Bringing thousands of attendees to Columbus every July, Cultivate is contracted to be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center through 2018. As Ohio’s capital and largest, fastest growing city, Columbus offers a diverse, cultural and progressive destination for Cultivate attendees. With Cultivate held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the event is easy to navigate. Located in the heart of downtown, the convention center is home to 1.7 million square-feet of space and the 74,000-square-foot Battelle Grand Ballroom, among additional amenities. For lodging, there are more than 4,000 hotel rooms within downtown Columbus and 2,100 hotel rooms connected to or adjacent to the convention center.
Why Columbus?
Columbus and AmericanHort are proud to project a sense of stability envied by similar cities, working with AmericanHort and, formerly OFA, for more than 80 years. In 2013, over the five-day event, the city generated about $7.16 million in visitor spending, and more than 9,400 hotel room nights reserved for the event. Beyond the economic impact, the relationship between Columbus and AmerianHort serves as an example of collaboration and loyalty. With Cultivate attendees packing in full days of professional leadership and learning, most impressive is Columbus’ High Five –five districts walkable within five miles –accessible from the convention center. Stressing walkability as a key to success, there are more than 150 places to “wine and dine,” 200 stores and boutiques, 40 art galleries and 50 venues throughout the five-mile stretch along Columbus’ renowned High Street.