May 2023 - 10

HEADLINES/CALENDAR
Suntory Flowers Announces
Leadership Changes
Suntory Flowers has named
Yasunori Yomo president. He
succeeds Taizo Chinju, who has been
promoted to chairman.
Yomo began his career as a
breeder when he was assigned to
Suntory's flower business division
in 1995. Prior to that, he was a wine
engineer at Suntory's Yamanashi
Winery. He graduated from Kyoto University with a
master's degree in agricultural science and was part of
the pomology faculty, focused on fruit. More recently, he
directed research, development and production and then
transferred over to the business side, managing Suntory
Flowers' domestic business and business strategy.
" Yasunori has deep and extensive knowledge and
Yasunori Yomo
experience in our industry, not only in business, but in
science, " Chinju says. " Starting his career as a breeder,
he has experienced sales, marketing and planning for
bedding plants and cut flowers. I believe that Yasunori
will bring us to the next stage. "
Suntory Flowers also announced changes in its North
American leadership team. Executive general manager
Masashi Matsumura will move to the beverage side of
Suntory Holdings. Toshio Matsuyama will join Suntory
Flowers from Suntory Holdings, and Kentaro Suka will
support him as manager.
" Masa has done a lot to expand our Suntory Flowers
business, especially in North America, " Chinju says. " He
has set up a strong team and tight relationships with our
customers. Toshio is a newcomer to Suntory Flowers, but
he has a broad career as part of the management team
of a joint venture in liquor and as director of another
Suntory group company. Kentaro has worked for Suntory
Flowers for 20 years in sales, marketing and planning.
Both will bring a new wave to our international business. "
Both Matsuyama and Suka will work closely with
the U.S.-based team of general manager T. Jay Higgins,
marketing director Delilah Onofrey, and sales and product
representative Lorentina McKoy. Yukina Tani continues in
her supporting role.
AAS, NGB, Home Garden Seed
Association Announce Summer
Summit Details
National Garden Bureau (NGB), Home Garden Seed
Association and All-America Selections (AAS) have
announced details for the 2023 Summer Summit in
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The dates are
Sept. 5-8 and the host hotel is the Westin Wall Centre,
Vancouver Airport.
The event begins with a welcome reception at the host
hotel on Tuesday, Sept. 5. On Wednesday, Sept. 6, attendees
10 | LAWN & GARDEN RETAILER | MAY 2023
will travel to the Chilliwack area to visit growers (VanBelle
Nursery and Qualitree to name two) and retailers
(including Minter Gardens) in that region.
Thursday, Sept. 7 will be tours of West Coast Seeds and
other horticulture businesses in the flat and fertile Delta area.
Friday, Sept. 8 will be the grand finale, touring in and
around the wonderfully multi-cultural city of Vancouver.
This event is open to anyone (growers, breeders,
retailers, brokers, industry reps, educators, media, garden
communicators, etc.) interested in any or all of these
three organizations, the trials and other local sites.
Hotel information and the schedule of events can be found
at www.all-americaselections.org/aas-meetings-events.
CALENDAR
May 31-June 2
Floriexpo
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
www.floriexpo.com
June 13-14
National Lawn & Garden Show
Rosemont, Illinois
www.nlgshow.com
July 11-17
Atlanta Market
Atlanta, Georgia
www.atlantamarket.com
July 15-18
Cultivate'23
Columbus, Ohio
www.cultivateevent.org
Aug. 8-10
The Garden Center Show
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
www.gardencentershow.com
Sept. 5-8
AAS-HGSA-NGB Summer Summit
Vancouver, British Columbia
www.all-americaselections.org/aas-meetings-events
Sept. 10-12
Arett Open House
Atlantic City, New Jersey
www.arettopenhouse.com
Sept. 25-28
The Garden Center Group Fall Event
Cincinnati, Ohio
www.thegardencentergroup.com
Sept. 27-28
BFG Marketplace Expo East
Cleveland, Ohio
www.bfgsupply.com/bfg-events
Oct. 11-12
BFG Marketplace Expo West
Reno, Nevada
www.bfgsupply.com/bfg-events

http://www.all-americaselections.org/aas-meetings-events http://www.floriexpo.com http://www.nlgshow.com http://www.atlantamarket.com http://www.cultivateevent.org http://www.gardencentershow.com http://www.all-americaselections.org/aas-meetings-events http://www.arettopenhouse.com http://www.thegardencentergroup.com http://www.bfgsupply.com/bfg-events http://www.bfgsupply.com/bfg-events

May 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2023