This year marks the 25th edition of the Trade Fair Aalsmeer – a milestone for the industry and for exhibitors who have been involved for many years. It’s a great moment to reflect on memories and look ahead to the future. One of the exhibitors is nursery Arie Bouman, who is not only looking back on the fair this year but also celebrating a personal anniversary. Dirk Bouman: “We’re celebrating our 40th anniversary and have recently launched our new name and mission: Arie Bouman Green Outdoor B.V. Our mission? Together we make the outdoors greener.”
 

Years of dedication to the industry
Dirk Bouman, director of Nursery Arie Bouman, has been active in the industry for over 30 years and has attended the Trade Fair Aalsmeer almost every year. “Both personally and with our nursery products, we’ve always been present. We specialize in roses and hydrangeas, but continue to develop in other shrubs and outdoor plants.”
 

Connection at the core
For Dirk, the fair is all about connection. “It’s truly a networking event. You meet people here you wouldn’t normally encounter in daily life. It’s also an important moment to increase our company’s visibility. We want to show that we’re not just growers, but also partners in the marketing of outdoor plants.”
 

Unique timing and diverse audience
What makes the Trade Fair unique, according to him? “The timing is perfect. Everyone is orienting themselves for the new season, so it’s a great moment to connect with customers and suppliers. The audience at Trade Fair Aalsmeer is broader and more international than at other fairs. That creates opportunities for sales, but certainly also for other types of collaborations.”
 

Inspiration and new contacts
Dirk looks forward to discovering new participants and trends on the exhibition floor. “It’s the complete picture that counts: contacts, product groups, innovations. Every year, interesting leads and conversations emerge that prove valuable later on. I’m also very curious to see which new participants have joined this year.”
 

Compliments to the organization
Finally, he has a message for the organizers: “Compliments for the development of this fair. By adapting to the market in terms of both demand and supply, the Trade Fair remains relevant and leading in the industry. That’s exactly what this sector needs.”