February 2024 - 10

HEADLINES/CALENDAR
developed a love for the horticultural industry early on
and recognized the importance of vertical integration
within this industry's global supply chain. Along with
the team at Express Seed, he was a conduit for longlasting
global business relationships that will continue to
connect growers in North America to best-in-class plant
varieties, genetics and production worldwide.
Van Wingerden began his career in the family
companies in 1997 at Green Circle Growers, eventually
joining Express Seed and then becoming COO in 2006.
More recently, he took on the additional role of CIO.
" The horticultural industry has suffered a great loss
in David's passing, " said Scott Valentine, CEO of Express
Seed. " We will honor his memory and contributions by
continuing to carry on his compelling passion, dedication
and energy to serving the horticultural industry. "
" We've lost a son, brother, friend and fellow business
partner, " said John van Wingerden, CJ van Wingerden,
and Scott Giesbrecht.
" This is a sorrowful time after his courageous battle
against leukemia. We will miss him dearly. We thank
everyone who has supported David and his family during
his 19-month battle with leukemia. "
Proven Winners to offer new bulb
program
Proven Winners and Garden State Bulb are partnering to
create an exclusive new flower bulb program for retailers
and consumers. The collaboration is Proven Winners' first
foray into the flower bulb market, and a step forward for
Garden State Bulb in making bulb combinations accessible
at retail.
The collections will include multi-genus combinations that
include spring and fall assortments, as well as single varieties
aimed to be the focal point of any landscape or home garden.
All packages sold by Garden State Bulb under the
partnership will be branded and packaged as Proven
Winners. Garden State Bulb will continue to sell its
existing bulb programs under the Garden State Bulb brand.
Verbena named
AAS Winner
All-America Selections
(AAS) has announced
another new AAS
Winner available for the
2024 gardening season,
Verbena tenuisecta
'Sweetheart Kisses'.
Bred by Applewood
Seed, this low-growing
plant was praised by AAS
judges for its vibrant red,
10 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | FEBRUARY 2024
rose, pink and hint-of-white blooms. Delicate, airy foliage
forms a soft cushion, setting the stage for an explosion of
color that lasts all season long. 'Sweetheart Kisses' thrives
in sun-drenched days and dry spells.
Casual Market Atlanta expands
outdoor furnishings offerings
ANDMORE and the International Casual Furnishings
Association (ICFA) are expanding the 2024 editions
of Casual Market Atlanta with a new educational
opportunity in July and the addition of temporary
exhibits in September. Summer Casual Market runs
July 15-18 and Fall Casual Market runs Sept. 16-18 at
AmericasMart Atlanta.
The organizations said this is a move intended to
support the needs of outdoor furnishings retailers and
designers with a complete buying experience when it
best suits the demands of their businesses.
This year, ICFA will reinstate its Retail Roundtable and
Think Tank program, a half-day educational program, at
the Summer Casual Market Atlanta.
The new ICFA pre-market programming complements
current Summer Casual Market Atlanta offerings:
more than 165 combined casual furniture and outdoor
accessories permanent showrooms and temporary
exhibits, along with at-market education and networking.
In September, Fall Casual Market will welcome the
return of temporary exhibits to complement permanent
showroom offerings. To align with these changes, the
September trade show will be renamed Fall Casual
Market Atlanta.
CALENDAR
March 20-24
California Spring Trials
Various locations throughout California
March 26-28
National Hardware Show
Las Vegas, Nevada
nationalhardwareshow.com
June 17-19
The National Lawn & Garden Show
St. Louis, Missouri
nlgshow.com
July 13-16
Cultivate'24
Columbus, Ohio
cultivateevent.org
To view the full events calendar, go to lgrmag.com/events
http://www.nationalhardwareshow.com http://www.nlgshow.com http://www.cultivateevent.org http://www.lgrmag.com/events
February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2024
