Today, the jury for the Jan van Dongen Prize and the Jac. Lodders Prize met to prepare for the 36th edition of the GrootGroenPlus trade fair. This year, the trade fair will take place from 30 September to 2 October. On Wednesday, the jury members will visit the stands to select the best entries in two categories: the Jan van Dongen Prize for the best supplier and the Jac. Lodders Prize for the best green participant.

A ten-member jury

Once again this year, the jury consists of a mix of experienced members who have been involved for many years and several new faces who bring a fresh perspective. This year's chairman is Corné de Vooght of main sponsor Rabobank. The other jury members are Marc Lodders, Loïs Lodders, Diantha Slingerland, Jac. van Nijnatten, Cas Broeren, Corné Oostvogels, Marjolein Kloek, Annemieke Schoone and Martijn Bastiaansen.

What does the jury look for?

The jury members reviewed the score sheets together to ensure that everyone assesses the stands in the same way. Each stand receives a score ranging from ordinary to exceptional in three areas:

• Theme: how has Growing Together been incorporated into the stand?
• Presentation: design, creativity, arrangement, banners and other communication materials.
• Communication and assortment: what message does the stand convey, and are its USPs clearly communicated? For the green participants, the jury also considers how specialised, interesting and broad the assortment is, as well as the quality of the products and the cultivation performance.

A call to all participants: show us how you grow!

This year’s theme is Growing Together. The jury is curious to see how this is reflected in your stand. Perhaps by collaborating with customers, fellow companies or the next generation. Or by showing how your company or product is growing alongside the industry. The theme is part of the assessment, so a little creativity can make all the difference.

Turn your stand into a place where your story becomes visible. Who knows, you might be taking home the Jan van Dongen Prize or the Jac. Lodders Prize this year! The awards ceremony will take place on 30 September from 2:30 p.m. in the central restaurant.