Reader Response: Promise For Industry In St. Louis

Fran Hopkins got the industry talking last week when she offered her two cents on the state of our industry. Bill Ruppert, executive director of the Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis, responds this week in a letter to Fran. Here’s the letter:

Hi Fran,

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I just finished reading your interview.

While I can understand your apparent frustrations, I must tell you that landscape green industry collaboration and visioning for today and the future is alive and well here in the Gateway region.

On behalf of the Hort Co-op of Metro St. Louis, I crafted and pitched the “Power of Plants Tour” to our state’s first lady. The Tour includes representatives from a broad cross section of the horticulture and landscape green industry. The intention of the tour is to share the big picture about plants beyond the landscapes (First Lady Georganne) Nixon has already experienced during tours of our state’s finest botanical institutions.

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Two weeks ago, we received an enthusiastic acceptance by Missouri’s First Lady to come to St. Louis next June to experience the power of plants. I am currently engaging discussion with our region’s finest professional talent in the area of public relations and communications to facilitate a significant mutually beneficial June tour.

Another event that will be coming to our region next September is the 2010 America in Bloom Symposium and Awards Program, which will provide another excellent platform for showcasing the benefits of the products and services offered by the horticulture and landscape green industry. As you shared in your interview, times like we are currently experiencing require expanded creative thinking and action to sell the value (and power) of our products and services.

Bill Ruppert
Executive Director
Horticulture Co-op of Metro St. Louis

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