No Show in 2015 Saddens Nursery And Garden Industry

Members of Nursery and Garden Industry New Zealand (NGINZ), were disappointed to learn that the 2015 Ellerslie International Flower Show (EIFS), planned for Christchurch has been cancelled.

John Liddle, Chief Executive of NGINZ, explains “Ellerslie has been our industry showcase, pushing gardening into the limelight and providing joy and inspiration to attendees. The show represented many intangible benefits to both our industry members and New Zealand as a whole. These included setting a public benchmark for upcoming designers throughout Australasia and creating an aspirational platform for future generations of gardeners. Feedback from our industry members is of resounding disappointment. We are empathetic with the Christchurch City Council (CCC) and would like to acknowledge their incredible support for our industry over the last six years.

NGINZ and many of its members have been involved with the EIFS since its inception as sponsors, exhibitors, suppliers, judges and enthusiastic supporters.

“We recently suggested to event organizers that they consider alternating the show venue/city every other year so that Christchurch could continue to be involved but with less pressure on their ratepayers to fit the bill every single year for what is a national event.

“What most people don’t appreciate is the incredible amount of work involved in the lead up to this event and that includes thousands of volunteer hours from people such as our own members. Alternating the hosting city would spread the load,” says Mr Liddle.

The NGINZ and its members look forward to welcoming back a new-look EIFS show whenever and wherever that happens to be.

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