The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) has granted its exhibition approval to International Horticulture Goyang Korea 2024.

The Goyang International Flower Foundation (GIFF), an AIPH Affiliate Member, has been organising the International Horticulture Korea (IHK) and other flower-related events annually since 1997. These events take place in Goyang, a satellite city of Seoul located in the Gyeonggi Province in the north of South Korea.

Through GIFF’s support of the farmers and the floriculture export industry, Goyang is known as ‘the best flower city in Korea’. The IHK and various flower-related events attract approximately 8.4 million domestic and foreign tourists annually.

The IHK is not just a cultural phenomenon but also a significant economic driver. With a cumulative import and export contract amount of approximately 300 million dollars, the event has generated an economic effect of over 1 trillion won, demonstrating its potential for businesses in the floricultural industry.

GIFF’s application for AIPH recognition of the IHK was supported by AIPH Member the Korean Association for the Advancement of the Flora Culture (KAFC), underlining the collective spirit of this event.

So, this year, the International Horticulture Goyang Korea 2024 (IHK) is an AIPH-approved International Horticultural Show (Category C) and Trade Expo (Category D) that will bring together horticulturists and flower enthusiasts from around the world. It will take place from April 26 to May 12, 2024, at Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang, South Korea.

The exhibition’s captivating theme, “Flora of the Earth: Flowers of the Earth”, will showcase a diverse array of flowers and plants, highlighting the earth’s vitality.

The outdoor horticultural show will cover an area of 240,000 square metres and feature many garden landscapes for visitors to enjoy, including the Welcoming Garden, Themed Garden, Nature Education Centre, Ecological Garden, Flower Explosion, Rose Garden, and Smart Garden. These gardens will showcase the beauty of flowers and plants from different regions and their importance in promoting well-being.

Three prominent international garden designers have designed and created the World Writer’s Gardens. The trio have each won Gold at past RHS Chelsea Flower Shows: 2023 winner Jihae Hwnag (South Korea), 2023 Winner Paul Hervey Brooks (UK), and double winner Leon Kluge (South Africa) in 2010 and 2012.

The outdoor and indoor garden displays include international gardens from the following participating countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Colombia, Ecuador, Chinese Taipei, the United States, Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, and Singapore. These gardens will feature flowers and plants produced from their regions. In particular, Thailand’s garden will feature exotic and rare plants, including a hundred new breeds and novelties.

The event will feature a few public art projects by famous installation artist Choi Jeong Hwa. Also, in the Singing-Fountain Square, a flower wall art project entitled “Flower-wall of Hope”.

After the garden show ends, many outdoor gardens, installations and artworks will remain for the locals to educate and improve the local greenery.

The indoor horticultural show will feature more than 300 participants from 25 countries to showcase the latest trends in horticulture. You will also get to witness new breeds of flowers and plants from ten domestic corporations, including the National Institute of Horticultural and Herbal Science, Korea Seed & Variety Service, Agricultural Research & Extension Services from each city, Goyang Agricultural Technology Center, and individual breeders.

The International Horticulture Goyang Korea 2024 (IHK2024) promises its visitors a host of unique experiences. It will feature the first international flower design contest in Korea, showcasing the talents of ten designers from eight countries, with international judges from five countries. The event will also host flower arrangement competitions, botanical gardens, and hands-on programs, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the world of flowers and plants. These unique experiences will make the event memorable for all attendees, sparking a sense of excitement and anticipation.

Professional ornamental horticulturists and suppliers can find new partnerships and network at the Flower Business Centre, which will host a five-day Global Business Day. The goal is to provide 180 consulting meetings during the event. There will also be a chance to conduct 1:1 business matching meetings in the Flower Business Centre or via Zoom. There will also be guided tours to local farms and logistics centres.

For further information, visit www.flower.or.kr