The Farwest Show will rest at the Oregon Convention Center for 2024 and into the foreseeable future tense , OAN leaders and staff have determined .
“ Over the preceding year , we felt the business concern that some have raised about COVID - era stipulation in Portland , and we knew it was important to explore various alternate placement in visible radiation of the ongoing pauperism of the show , ” OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone said . “ Ultimately , we see that the Oregon Convention Center is the only issue venue in the state of Oregon with the adequate size , scale , and services to accommodate the pauperism of Farwest operate forward . ”
The 2023 Farwest Show expects to serve more than 4,000 guests when it opens this calendar week ( August 23 ) , and nearly 350 exhibitioner will be there .
“ We bet at other locale , ” OAN Director of Events Allan Niemi said . “ None of them have the elbow room to admit all the booths and people that occur to Farwest , countenance alone the educational seminars and other show feature that we tender . We even look at going to a smaller venue . That would require putting some exhibitor alfresco in tent , and even then , it ’s questionable who all would jibe . The Oregon Convention Center easily handles all our needs and offers us the space that lets us grow again . ”
The OAN did hear fear from some about the DoS of Portland .
“ We all have watched with sadness what has happened with Portland over the pandemic , with the body politic of houselessness , ” OAN President Todd Nelson said . “ It ’s a job that takes time to handle , and it ’s affect more than Portland but smaller communities as well . That said , we have seen improvement in stipulation business district . Although Portland is not out of the woods , the Convention Center and Lloyd District neighborhood are in better shape , and the city overall is on a more positive flight back to pre - COVID conditions . ”
The post - COVID retrieval and the industriousness ’s strong outgrowth are positive augury for the nursery industry and for Farwest .
“ For 50 years , Farwest has been a grand showcase for Oregon growers , who are the good in the state at what they grow , ” Stone said . “ The industriousness is growing , and the show should grow along with it . visitant to Farwest will find a celebratory humor , more exhibitors to visit , a compelling batting order of seminars , cracking networking opportunities , and a whole host of ideas and products to serve them spring up their business . ”
“ Farwest truly ingest off when it move to the then - new Oregon Convention Center in the early nineties , ” Niemi said . “ It generated a gumption of excitement and allowed new room for outgrowth and fundamental interaction . It ’s still the good convention and result quickness in the DoS and realm , making it a worthy home plate for Oregon ’s large segment of agribusiness and the talented growers who drive the industry forward . ”
Oregon Association of Nurseries ( OAN)www.oan.org
