Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show Moves to Pennsylvania CC from Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

September 16, 2012

The Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (PANTS) will make a big move in 2013 from its current home at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa., to the newly expanded Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia.

The move is part of an effort to give PANTS more visibility, according to show officials.

“We want to put the sizzle back in this show and make it an event that no one in the green trades will want to miss,” said MAC Events partner Kevin McLaughlin.

He added, “Attendees who come to PANTS will not only find new ideas, products and educational programs on the show floor, but also will be able to plug into resources that have made the city a hot spot for horticultural innovation for more than 250 years.”

Earlier this summer, MAC Events struck a partnership agreement with the show’s founder, the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association (PLNA), and took over production of the event.

“The PLNA is excited about the move to Philadelphia,” said Jim McKenzie, chairman of PLNA’s board of directors.

He added, “All other successful and nationally important green industry shows are located in major metropolitan cities and Philadelphia has always been a great historical and cultural hub. In recent years, the local scene has just exploded around the convention center with opportunities for socializing and networking beyond the show.”

This isn’t the first time PANTS has moved venues in order to keep up with the show’s growth; it has moved a half-dozen times since 1973 in order “to put the show in the top tier of industry events nationwide,” company representatives said.  

PANTS, which caters to businesses responsible for designing, constructing and maintaining outdoor spaces, is on tap July 31-Aug. 1 at the Pennsylvania CC.

“We are thoroughly delighted to welcome PANTS to Philadelphia in 2013,” said Jack Ferguson, CEO and president, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau.

He added. “As a city committed to green initiatives, Philadelphia and our LEED-certified convention center is an ideal choice for PANTS as the show’s attendance continues to grow.”

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact