Singapore Garden Festival

The Singapore Garden Festival (SGF) (zh-sp|s=新加坡花园节|p=XīnJiāPō HuāYuán Jié) is an international garden and flower show event held once every two years in Singapore. It is jointly organised by the National Parks Board of Singapore, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), the Orchid Society of South East Asia (Singapore), the Singapore Gardening Society and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).SGF is a unique event featuring international landscape and garden designers, florists and horticulturists convening in a single location. This contrasts other international horticultural events which featured mainly domestic and regional designers and market vendors.

The inaugural show, held at the Suntec City Convention Centre from December 16 to 25, 2006, attracted more than 200,000 visitors over a 10-day period. The 2nd Garden Show re-opened at Suntec City on July 25, 2008, and featured 18 show gardens, 14 floral displays by 35 local and foreign award-winning landscape and garden designers, florists and horticulturists from 17 countries. It also showcased an array of 40 orchid displays. In addition to this year's Festival, a three-day expo invited 300 delegates and 3,000 trade visitors attending the trade event included in the programme. By the end of the Show on Friday August 1, 2008 an estimate of 300,000 people attended the eight-day event, with 30 per cent visitorship by overseas visitors. At the closing ceremony Minister for National Development Mr Mah Bow Tan announced the Festival is key in the strategy to boost Singapore's transformation into "a city in a garden" and raising the bar the landscaping and horiculture industry. In making its mark in history, a lucky Caslin Goo picked from 6,000 entries in a lucky draw at the Festival, won her a naming right to a new pitcher plant (Nepenthes cultivar variety). The new "Nepenthes Caslin Goo" will be registered with the International Carnivorous Plant Society. The Festival will be relocated to Singapore's Gardens by the Bay when it opens in phases from 2010. [cite news|last=Suan Chiang|first=Tay|title=A blooming success for the Singapore Garden Festival|publisher=Straits Times|date=2008-08-01]

Concept

The SGF promises a unique experience for everyone – from the serious gardener and hobbyist to home owners on the lookout for décor tips and families out to bond over activities. The festival’s wide range of attractions include:

*Landscape Gardens
*Fantasy Gardens
*Floral Windows to the World
*Singapore Orchid Show
*Garden Fiesta
*Marketplace
*Singapore Garden Festival Expo (for Trade Visitors) - New addition of the 2008 show.

Landscape and Fantasy Gardens

Featuring creations by local designers and top award-winning garden designers from around the world.

Floral Windows to the World

Featuring colourful and vibrant cut-flower displays and floral masterpieces with stunning set design and lighting by international and local floral designers.

ingapore Orchid Show

Showcasing Southeast Asia’s rich and diverse heritage of orchids, the most diverse botanical family and the most important plant group in the international floriculture industry. Step into this floral wonderland and you will understand why it has inspired such passion from enthusiasts around the world. The Singapore Orchid Show at the SGF will also build up publicity for Singapore, who has won the rights to host the 2011 World Orchid Conference (WOC).

Garden Fiesta

Offering educational, recreational and entertainment activities. From performances, culinary art and floral arrangement demonstrations to gardening activities for children and workshops for the serious gardener, Garden Fiesta’s wide range of activities offers something for everyone!

Marketplace

Offering a wide array of plants, gardening, landscape products and services, and arts & craft – all under one roof. This is THE place to be if you need the lowdown on the latest in garden décor or to pick up the accessories and plants you have been meaning to buy but never had the time.

GF Expo (for Trade Visitors)

A not-to-be missed event for all horticulture and landscapeprofessionals. Featuring a power-packed programme with keynotesand breakout sessions by leading international experts, the SGF ExpoConference is an all encompassing platform for:
*Experience Sharing with Industry Experts and Peers
*Learning Experience for the Next Generation of Leaders
*Broadening Horizons & Perspectives
*Networking with Counterparts and Peers from All Over the World

References

External links

* [http://www.singaporegardenfestival.com/ Singapore Garden Festival]
* [http://www.singaporegardenfestival.com/pdfs/StarDesignersfor2008Show-NewsRelease-30October2007.pdf NParks' media release on Singapore Garden Festival 2008]
* [http://www.nparks.gov.sg/ National Parks Board, Singapore]
* [http://www.gardensbythebay.org.sg/ Gardens by the Bay]
* [http://shouldibescared.blogspot.com/2007/11/home-from-singapore-today.html/ Kelvin Chua's Blog - One of our 2008 Designers from New Zealand]