International communication expert Frank van Suchtelen received the Premio Massimo Matteini Award at Italy’s home and garden show, Coniolo Fiori on 18 May for his exceptional contributions to promoting ornamental horticulture in his home country the Netherlands and abroad.

Picture above: The son of Massimo Matteini alongside Arturo Croci presented Van Suchtelen with the award.

In 2023, the Italian garden event Coniolo Fiori, established in 2001, introduced the Massimo Matteini award, in memory of the well-known passionate rose grower from Pistoia, who became an honorary citizen of Coniolo. The coveted award is presented annually to an individual who has distinguished himself by puttnig ornamental horticulture on the map. 

Italian publicist and writer Arturo Croci scooped up the inaugural award last year. Because the organisation wanted to make this award international, it was decided in consultation with experts who would receive the award in 2024.

In the motivation, the organisers tout Frank van Suchtelen, active in the floriculture sector since the late 1970s, as one of the important communication experts in floriculture at an international level, always alert to the growth of the sector, skilful communicator, co-initiator of Plant Publicity Holland’s(PPH) ‘Plant of the Month’ . And through his work for PPH he was also closely involved in the international Green City campaign.

Van Suchtelen is currently  communications manager  for horticultural trade exhibitions in the Netherlands and abroad. With his PR agency (now All-Round Communications), he soon became the reference point for the international trade press for green and ornamental horticulture.