13 June 2014

In 2012, GrootGroenPlus and Tree Centre Opheusden joined forces, and this will happen again in 2014. This shows for example in the set-up of the 24th edition of GrootGroenPlus and the third edition of Expo TCO. The cooperation will benefit both national and international trade press and visitors.

Combined press tour
One of the main aspects of the cooperation is a combined press tour. During this joined press tour, the national and international press are welcomed at Expo TCO, which will present - among other things - an extensive assortment of avenue trees that are grown in the region, and the professional methods that are used for doing this. The Research station in Randwijk will also be visited. Here, the latest developments regarding growing avenue trees will be presented. After that, on Tuesday night, the press is invited for the opening and award ceremonies. On Wednesday morning, GrootGroenPlus will be visited. An internal press tour, the opening, and the award ceremonies will be attended there.
 
On Thursday, a major external press tour will take place. During this tour, four companies, a garden centre, and an interesting public green project in Brabant will be visited. On Friday, the press will have full access to trade fair GrootGroenPlus.
 
Themes
Another similarity between both trade fairs is that they both have a theme. The third edition of Expo TCO will take place on 1 and 2 October and its focus for this year will be Tree Energy. This theme will be presented in 45 different stands. GrootGroenPlus will take place on 1, 2, and 3 October. GrootGroenPlus 2014's theme is #365green. This theme will also be presented in a number of stands. Participants of GrootGroenPlus that succeed most in presenting this theme will have a chance at winning the coveted Jac Lodders or Jan van Dongen prizes.
 
Joint advertising
The intensified cooperation between GrootGroenPlus and Expo TCO also shows in the joint advertisements in national and international trade magazines, which emphasise similarities by using for example one slogan, but also show the own identity of both trade fairs. A clear sign to the (international) trade visitors that says that it is possible to experience both trade fairs during one visit.
 
Complement
The winners of the regular novelties inspection of 2014 will be presented both on Expo TCO and GrootGroenPlus.  This cooperation goes both ways. Both trade fairs complement each other. Expo TCO will focus mainly on technique and the extensive assortment of avenue trees, part of which can be seen at the assortment square, whereas GrootGroenPlus will mainly focus on the developments within the tree nursery industry, the total assortment, including visually attractive products, which for example shows in the garden that is created, and table sessions. This way, all international visitors will get the opportunity to see everything during just one visit to the Netherlands.