Organizer Announces 2009 as Final Year of NW Flower & Garden

I just recieved this email:

FOR CLIENT REVIEW: FOR MORE INFORMATION:
January 26, 2009 Dan Branley (206) 914-1231


Organizer Announces 2009 as Final Year of Northwest Flower & Garden Show

After 21 Year Run, Founder of Salmon Bay Events to Close Business,
Unable to Find Right Buyer for Nation’s Second-Largest Flower Show


SEATTLE – For more than two decades the Northwest Flower & Garden Show has inspired millions of individuals and families to embrace gardening with its dramatic display gardens and extensive seminar programs. In 2009, the event will make one last spectacular run before closing its doors forever.

“My wife Alice and I have decided that this year’s event will be our last as organizers and we are pulling out all of the stops to make it the best on record. We’ve enjoyed every minute of the past 21 years but are ready to pursue some other passions,” said Duane Kelly, chairman of Salmon Bay Events, the company that founded and owns the event.

Salmon Bay Events also owns and produces the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. The Northwest and San Francisco Flower & Garden Shows are the second- and third-largest flower shows, respectively, in the country; the largest is in Philadelphia. They have earned an international reputation for the quality of the display gardens, seminars, and commercial exhibits.

“We had hoped to sell the shows to buyers that are committed to maintaining their level of quality,” Kelly said. “However, to date, we have been unsuccessful.” Without a buyer emerging he will be closing the business following the 2009 shows.

The last Northwest Flower & Garden Show will be held Feb. 18-22 at the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle. The flower show was the first major event ever produced at the Convention Center. Over a million and a half people have attended the show since its inception. Annual attendance ranges between 60,000 and 80,000.

Kelly invites gardeners from throughout the Pacific Northwest to visit the 2009 show and celebrate over two decades of flower show magic. He wishes to thank the tens of thousands of people in the nursery and landscape industry, the gardening media, and the horticultural community who have supported the Northwest show over the last 21 years.

The theme of this year’s shows is “Sustainable Spaces. Beautiful Places.” The 26 display gardens will be first-rate – many offering inspiring ideas about sustainability in gardens. Sustainability will also be the focus of many of the 120 free seminars presented by speakers from around the world. For details and tickets visit the show’s website at gardenshow.com.

Kelly anticipates that “My Garden Spaces,” an on-line community recently launched as a year-round adjunct to the flower shows, will continue beyond the shows.

The cost of admission, which includes entrance to gardening seminars, is: $20 for adults; $9 for students 25 and under with valid student I.D.; $4 for kids ages 6 – 17; and free for children under 5. The shows run from Wednesday through Sunday. Advance tickets are also available at a discounted price of $16 for adults. Tickets can be purchased via the shows’ website with a special print-at-home option and at many local gardening retailers throughout the Pacific Northwest.


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I personally am very bummed to hear the news. I so look forward to the show every year.
If you have never attended I highly recommend that you go this year. The display gardens are amazing, inspiring and jaw dropping. The amount of vendors, seminars, groups and societies is endless.

Wow. That's weird. I really can't imagine that nobody will end up picking up such a nationally known show.

I received that email Friday morning. I had planned to skip attending this year, but may go since might be the last show.

Can anyone recommend hotels close (block or 2) to the Convention Center? (Or any to shy away from?) I've stayed at Pike Street Suites in the past and was happy, but am wondering about other options since Pike Street won't offer a "Flower Show" special rate. I've done the web research but was looking for opinons from those who may have actually stayed elsewhere.

Thanks for any comments!
Barbara

Oh my, I never have been to the show. I guess this is my last chance.

Sounds like something I need to attend, especially if it's the last.

I have never been, usually due to a work or weather problem. This year, I will attend.

I too, cannot fathom it being dropped in light of it's long success. If it's a worthy investment, someone will pick it up; probably too early for making decisions, especially in this economic climate.

Barbara - welcome to the thread from someone who grew up in Fairbanks!!

There is a shuttle to downtown Seattle from Northgate for the show and you might get better rates on hotels there.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hotels+northgate+seattle&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.426353,78.046875&ie=UTF8&z=11

Hotels in downtown Seattle

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=hotels+downtown+seattle&sll=47.719463,-122.33345&sspn=0.197251,0.609741&ie=UTF8&z=15

Katie, I was told the shuttle is not running this year.

I too received that notice. I guess no one can afford the asking price. He also owns the SF show and that is part of the deal.

I have never been as something comes along every year. This year I already have plans to go on Fri with my gardening club (one of them) and now that I have gotten this notice, I'm thinking about going on Wed or Thurs as well because I think it will take me 2 days to absorb it all.

Oh. Good to know, Gwen. I have relied on the shuttle in years past.

I was not planning to go since I always spend way too much money there. but I'll have to go now. My advice is to try to go during the week because the weekend is REALLY crowded. Also, I always bring my basket on wheels and every year people comment on how much they wish they had one, so I'm giving you all my idea. You can get those old luggage carriers, the kind the airline stewardesses used to use before the invention of suitcases with wheels, for almost nothing at thrift shops. I just attached a big basket with a bungy cord. It has saved me so much trouble. Also, you might want to bring your own lunch and bottled water. Plant shopping is hungry and thirsty work! I get a little overwhelmed with the crowds and like to take a break in a quiet spot. If I can find one.
Last tip, if there is a lecture you wish to attend and the speaker is well known, show up in line for the tickets at least 1/2 hour before they begin giving them out. Then, if you want a good seat, show up at the lecture hall to get in line at least 1/2 hour before the lecture begins.

I'm not much for crowds and standing in lines. I know there are speakers I want to hear but am thinking I will not kill myself trying to get in. I do have the chance to hear most of them at other functions throughout the year since I belong to so many garden groups.

I'd like to find one of those things on wheels that are like wire baskets attached to the wheels. I'll have to keep my eyes open and see if anyone I know has one. I know I won't be able to carry what I buy. I have been really good about saving money so I'll have money to spend at some of the special occasions throughout the year. You notice I have not been on any of the co-op groups! (So proud of myself.)

Gwen, the little wheeled suitcase carrier I use works just as well and you can always find them at Goodwill for about 5$. I already had the basket I put on it. I'm a bit worried about the money part myself, since I'm visiting Heidi's earlier in the week. I'm going to have to discipline myself. You are smart to stay away from the coops. I've been better, but it's a slippery slope!

I agree with Pix that some sort of "wheeled carrying device" is a must. Food and water too. My camera is a must have as well. Here is a picture of my "bag lady" cart from last years show. It was a wonderful "free" find a few years back from a local art studio that was closing.

Thank you for the advice. That will make all the difference in the world. Love the picture!

Looks like a good haul there, Rachel!

There is still hope:

http://www.rainyside.com/articles/NFGS2009.html

NOOOOOOOO. Say its not true. It is such an outstanding show. I used to take my mom every year when I lived in Vancouver BC. I'm very sad.

I'm sure that such a profitable venture will find a buyer eventually. Read the last link from Rainyside - I don't think they've given up.

I think it will really help if there are record numbers this year. Too bad our dollar has crashed or I'd hop on a plane.

Yes, I think you're right. Too bad everything seems to have crashed, eh?

Oooo, that rainyside link showcases the display my friend Vanca did! I went yesterday and will be going back today with my garden club. It's my first, and apparently last, year. I was overwhelmed. When I was looking for the exit to leave yesterday, I came across a room of displays I had missed! LOL I'm heading there first thing today.

Imo, they should not have all the nongardening vendors. Jewelry, clothes (nongardening) etc. Plus, some of the vendors have downright tacky stuff. It would cut down on some of the congestive feeling.

I was amazed at what they can build in only 4 days of setup. Wow. What a load of work. No wonder the guy wants to sell!

I just got back from the F and G show where I talked to one of the vendors who says he heard from "a reliable source" that there are several possible buyers.. no surprise there. It's just little hard to imagine that this show is not a huge money maker.
That garden Gwen's friend worked on is fabulous. The structure is so very cool!

I heard mumblings today that attendance has been down. No surprise there, either. Hope that doesn't affect the potential sale.

Geez! I was there today and if that was 'down' attendance, I don't want to see how many people they need to consider it a good day! I could barely move!

I think that's a good thing!! At least something's up - news we need to hear these days.

I went to the F&G show on Thursday with my daughter. We thought there were less plant vendors than before although many more orchid vendors. The gardens weren't as spectacular as in some years past but I thought it was definitely well attended. We got there about 9:15 AM and were able to see most of the gardens without doing the human shuffle, but by the time we left it was nearly impossible to get up close. Fancy Fronds was definitely neat!
I'm happy to report that I did find a few things to buy to help stimulate the economy.
I thought this was a pretty neat wood pile.

Good for you - helping the economy. Wow, somebody sure took some time to put that wood pile together.

I heard it costs $5000 for a vendor to have a booth there. (Boy, they must make a crapload of money to justify that fee!) A vendor told me he thought there were a group of vendors that may go together and attempt to keep the show going.

Katie that is more than just a woodpile, it's a table with 'chairs'. That was the display subsided by Smith and Hawken.

I have never been before but I felt many of the displays had a 'Sunset Magazine' sort of look. And of course, all very typically PNW style. I loved the quilt one and felt it was really unique. Also the one that had the little shed up toward the back of it with the stream in the front. I took a ton of pics. If I get a chance, I'll upload them to shutterfly and post a link. On the way out the door, I dropped my camera in the bathroom and did serious damage to it, altho it is still working. But major dents and cracks.