Here’s How MANTS Will Convene Growers and Suppliers in 2021
October 6, 2020 
So many greenhouse industry events have gone virtual this year thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, and it looks like that trend will continue into 2021. Organizers of the Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show (MANTS) have announced a shift in direction for the conference, which typically takes place in Baltimore, MD, during early January.
Unlike other gatherings such as Cultivate that are heavy on both tradeshow activity and educational presentation, the focus of MANTS has always been on the exhibitor-buyer connection. This focus will remain the same in 2021, thanks to the new MANTS.com Business Hub, developed to connect exhibitors and buyers during these changing and challenging times. Despite not being able to meet in person, the intelligent, searchable business directory will provide opportunities for exhibitors and buying companies to engage in commerce during this year’s show, scheduled for Jan. 6-8, 2021.
The MANTS.com Business Hub encourages exhibitors and buying companies to network, explore, and discuss new products, and, most importantly, engage in commerce over MANTS’ original show dates to help buyers gear up for the upcoming year. The hub utilizes intelligent matching to connect exhibitors and buyers based on selected categories of interest. Participants can then easily engage in real-time in the ways that work best (Zoom, GoTo Meetings, Webex, etc.) from the location of their convenience. Exhibitor profiles will feature product images, videos, and company news and information to help inform and educate buyers while also providing opportunities to participate in one-on-one meetings, group sales presentations, live product demonstrations, and hosted drop-in hours.
“MANTS is committed to providing a meaningful platform through which exhibitors and buyers can search, shop, learn, connect, and buy during this year’s show,” says MANTS Executive Vice President Vanessa Finney. “With the MANTS.com Business Hub, we’re providing one centralized location for buying companies to find plants and nursery stock, landscape and garden items, heavy and light duty equipment, tools, outdoor furniture, and an extensive selection of allied industry products.”
All registered attendees will have access to the Business Hub January 6-8, 2021, leading up to the show, and for 90 days post-show. Attendee registration is $10 per person and opens in mid-October and runs through Jan. 8, 2021.
“MANTS in January has meant business to the green industry for the last 50 years, and we plan to continue this tradition into 2021,” Finney says. “We invite our exhibitors and buying companies to join us in partnership to fulfill their business needs.”
Plans for MANTS 2021 also include print and digital versions of the annual Buyer’s Guide, the creation of an online calendar of public virtual exhibitor events, and a virtual edition of the yearly new product showcase for green industry media.
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