Page 43 - MNLGA Free State Spring 2024_WEB SPREADS
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MANTS RECAP A Kelly Finney                                               We couldn't do it without our Staff

 MANTS Means Business                                                     Lauren Botcher, Vanessa, and Kelly Finney on the show floor
                                                                          PHOTOS FROM TOP:
                                                                          Michelle Hahn helps an exhibitor renew his booth for 2025
                                                                          Charlie Blocher:  Charlie has been to every MANTS except one (that’s
                                                                          53 of 54) and even predates MANTS to the early meetings held by
                                                                          the Maryland and Virginia Nurserymen’s Associations at the old
                                                                          Washingtonian Hotel in the late 60’s and early 70’s



 The later half of 2023 and 2024 to   companies and 11,200+ attendees   the industry on a national and
 date has seen the reemergence of   (including exhibitors) came together   international level because of the
 strong industry trade shows across   for another successful show. Over   mix of exhibitors, but it is extremely
 the country. All of the fear, trepidation   82% of attendees identify themselves   important to the shows sponsors, the
 and uneasiness that was very evident   as being the final decision maker or   nursery, landscape and greenhouse
 in 2020 – 2021 has dissipated and the   having influence over purchasing   associations of Maryland, Virginia,
 industry signaled its readiness to get   decisions. Those demographics and   and West Virginia. MANTS provides
 back to work in the way to which we   more are all on mants.com.   operating revenue to these
 had been traditionally accustomed.   The feedback from exhibitors and   associations which in turn allows

 From Cultivate in Ohio to Oregon   attendees alike continues to be   them to keep dues at a reasonable
 to Texas, Florida, Alabama, and   overwhelmingly positive. MANTS   level and therefore accessible to
 Indiana, amongst many others, all   traditionally has a 92-94% exhibitor   industry businesses of all types
 reported very strong to near record   retention rate and currently has   and sizes.
 attendance. MANTS celebrated our   over 140 companies on the exhibitor   If you are unfamiliar with
 54th consecutive year and 44th at   waiting list. In an average, post-  the history of MANTS,
 the Baltimore Convention Center.   recession year, we will have room to   visit the ‘SHOW
 The press release is available on   add between 65 – 75 new companies   FACTS’ landing
 the show facts page at mants.com,   to the show floor.  page for a brief
 but in short over 920 exhibiting   MANTS is not only important to   (continued on page 44)


 PHOTOS BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT:  PHOTOS PAGE 43 TOP TO BOTTOM:
 MANTS means smiles for Tim Quillen of    Henk Holtmaat (Netherlands) catches up with friends on the show floor
 Waynesboro Nurseries  MANTS means using technology to check inventory and availability
 Carla Shockley of Monrovia answers questions  John Machen of Mobjack Nurseries – Mobjack is one of six remaining
 charter exhibitors




























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