Newsletter September 2009

Countdown begins for the 2010 Ellerslie International Flower Show

It’s now less than six months until Christchurch hosts its second Ellerslie International Flower Show. Our first Show was a phenomenal success, as was evident with the record-breaking number of visitors and all the Show’s 2009 sponsors signing up again for 2010.

This is an incredible endorsement of Ellerslie’s success – and a tremendous achievement by the management team, considering the tight economic climate in which we are operating. In addition, two new sponsors have also signed up for 2010 and a number of other companies are considering sponsorship proposals. This is a great position to be in at this time of the year.

Exhibition garden numbers are similar to this year, with a good mix of new exhibitors coming to Christchurch for the first time and exhibitors returning from this year’s Show. 2010 will see the return to Ellerslie of Auckland designers Matt McIsaac and Mat Ransom of Watch This Space Landscapes. This young design duo will be chasing gold, having won bronze and silver at the last two shows in Auckland. They say with no flower show in Auckland, it is important for them to be back exhibiting at New Zealand’s premier garden event. And it will be a challenge for the two 22-year-olds who will next year design their biggest exhibition garden to date.

Tauranga-based Incredible Edibles will also be heading south to exhibit at Ellerslie next year. The company last exhibited at Ellerslie in 2006, winning Gold and the Supreme Award for Design Excellence for their garden. Incredible Edible’s Andrew Boylan says he is excited about returning to Ellerslie and their courtyard garden featuring fruiting plants is sure to provide lots of inspiration for visitors to Ellerslie in 2010.

Christchurch-based People’s Choice Award winners from this year, Texture Plants and Outerspace Landscapes, will be back next year with an exhibition garden that is guaranteed to be another crowd pleaser. Their 2009 garden was the public’s favourite, and also won a bronze for design and a gold National Lighting Award. Hamish Prebble from Texture Plants says Ellerslie is important for Christchurch: “This year’s Show was phenomenal and the customer feedback has far exceeded all our expectations”.

Tickets for the 2010 Show went on sale this month and there have been steady sales during the first three weeks, with particularly strong sales for Diamond Club tickets. Those who purchase their tickets before 15 February 2010 will save 20 per cent on the full ticket price. The Early Bird Special is $28 for a Specific Day ticket or $32 for an Any Day ticket. These prices rise to $35 and $40 respectively, after 15 February 2010. There are special senior and group rates as well.

If you are a Christchurch resident or ratepayer there is now only eight days left to get your tickets for the 2010 show at the special price of $22 each for Specific Day tickets – limit four. Residents have to nominate which day they will attend when they buy. Any Day tickets are available ($32) but are not part of the residents’ special.
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Regards
BOB PARKER
MAYOR OF CHRISTCHURCH