We haven't heard official attendance figures yet from the NWF&G Show, but by all reports, attendance was up. Merchants were happy with sales, speakers were pleased with crowds in the conference rooms, the whole place felt buzzy and upbeat.
Can we cautiously hope that the show attence might be a barometer of an improving economy? Could it mean that the garden industry is recovering and finding a new, younger audience?
I was encouraged by the age of people who attended my talk on Thursday morning - there were several tattooed and pierced 20'somethings in the front row, and plenty of younger gardeners lined up to buy books. The equally young University Book store clerk told me that my book appealled to his generation because it was non-intimidating DIY.....and of course, that attitude is all over the flower show with its kid's playgarden and DIY Stage.....
For all of you still resting up from the show's overabundance of visual stimulation, here's an image of simplicity and organic beauty to help rest your eyes from all that dazzle. When we were hiking on the beach at Useless Bay Sunday afternoon, we came across this log - makes me wonder if I just see flowers everywhere, or does this look like a pansy to you too? Mostly I just love the contrast of wood to soft sand, distinct edges to seemingly endless beach....
I'm leaving soon for Portland to speak at the Yard, Garden and Patio Show Friday morning at 11 - wish me luck, love to see you there - the Portland show is smaller, sweeter, less commercial than ours...I'll be posting from the Portland Convention Center, so you can have a look at the show...
Looking forward to seeing you, Val!
Posted by: Lauren Hall-Behrens | February 16, 2012 at 08:31 AM