What's new at IPM ESSEN 2025

World's leading trade fair for horticulture, IPM ESSEN will provide a preview of what the green sector can expect in the coming year

Scheduled to take place from 28-31 January 2025, exhibitors from around 50 countries will present their innovative products and services in the fields of plants, technology, floristry and garden features at Messe Essen. The event will put together a cutting-edge supporting programme with many new events and services for the next edition – including in the young plant and tree nursery sectors.

Most of the exhibitors belong to the plant sector, as no other trade fair has such a large and extensive range as IPM ESSEN. A new feature is the Gardeners Forum in Hall 2 as the central point of contact for horticultural producers. Experts from the industry will give specialist presentations, hold panel discussions on current topics relating to young plants and exchange ideas with trade visitors on best practices, sustainability, biodiversity, trends and plant innovations. Meet & Greets with personalities from the industry and politics are also planned every morning. A fixed starting point for guided tours to participating exhibitors is from the young plant sector. 

IPM ESSEN 2025 is expanding its visitor services with the 'IPM Express' so that gardeners in particular can take advantage of the extensive range of offers at IPM ESSEN. From 2025, the Green Cities Award will be presented annually at IPM ESSEN. The award, which has been presented by the European Nurserystock Association (ENA) for the past four years, recognises outstanding projects that promote green and sustainable cities in Europe. 

The nominees from the participating ENA member countries will be presented opposite the stand of Bund deutscher Baumschulen – BdB (Association of German Nurseries) in Hall 7. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday of the trade fair. Other established formats will be presented on a larger scale – in some cases at other locations. 

Trade visitors will be able to experience elaborate floral design both in the Fachverband Deutscher Floristen (FDF) World showrooms and live on the large revolving stage, where international florists will be demonstrating their creative craftsmanship. The motto of the 2025 Trade Fair Cup is: 'Boundless blooming community'. From POS concepts to marketing stories, the green stylist will be passing on his expertise for a successful customer approach.

Getting young people interested in horticulture has always been the goal of the green associations at IPM ESSEN. In 2025, the Training Day will be replaced by a new event format for secondary school follow-up classes. Instead of being bundled on one day, IPM ESSEN will now welcome groups of schoolchildren every day to introduce them to the many different green professions.