The 35th edition of GrootGroenPlus took place this year from 1 to 3 October in the municipality of Zundert. With nearly 300 participants from both the Netherlands and abroad, this edition was larger than ever before. Covering over 10,000 m², the trade floor offered a lot of space for tree nurseries, breeders, suppliers, mechanisation companies, educational institutions, and platforms from across the industry.

Participants and visitors
The number of participants once again increased compared to the previous year, including a notable rise in international participants. Of these, 77% were active within the green industry; 33% were suppliers, including several educational institutions, tree nursery collectives, and service providers. What stood out was the presence of young entrepreneurs, both among participants and visitors.

Visitor numbers also grew, with a broader international reach. Some 37% of attendees came from abroad – a significant increase – representing 35 different countries. Particularly notable was the increase in visitors from Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Italy, Germany, and France. Moreover, intercontinental attendance was higher than in previous years.

Set-up, visitor stream, and atmosphere
The trade fair was once again divided into three routes (grey, red, and blue), each comprising approximately 100 stands. Both the indoor and outdoor areas were fully utilised, and requests for stand space were still being received right up to the final day of the event. The addition of extra tents proved necessary due to the long waiting list for participation; despite this expansion, part of the list could not be accommodated.

Visitor traffic was well spread across the days, with Wednesday and Friday noted as the busiest days. Friday also attracted a substantial number of international visitors. The overall atmosphere was described as very positive: many stands received high-quality visitors throughout the three days, which was immediately reflected on social media and in the initial feedback from participants.

Both visitors and participants were once again able to make use of the trade fair app, which was available in four languages.

A lot of attention for promotion and press 
In 2025, there was a strong focus on visibility. Social media activity was high, the trade fair catalogue was also published in English, and the digital supply bank via Varb attracted considerable attention. In addition, the event welcomed press visits, (inter)national buyers, and international speakers. Both internal and external press tours were organised, attended by a large number of (inter)national trade journalists. The PR budget was increased, with a particular focus on international promotion. The dedicated news platform GGP.news played an active role in maintaining year-round visibility for participants.

Awards and recognition
Several awards were presented during the trade fair, including the GreenGrandPrix. The plants competing for this award were prominently displayed in the restaurant area, with additional columns and medals placed at the respective stands. In addition to various medals for new plant introductions, awards were also given to participants who best represented their region (Zunderts Groen Imago Prijs), as well as to the best stands among green industry participants (Jac Lodders Award) and suppliers (Jan van Dongen Award).

Square of Tomorrow
For three consecutive days, the Square of Tomorrow was showcased, highlighting a range of innovative plants and concepts. On the Friday, a dedicated event featuring (inter)national speakers on future resilience marked the conclusion of this presentation. Garden centres and DIY retailers have already expressed interest in hosting the Square of Tomorrow themselves.

Looking ahead to the 2026 edition
The preparations for the 36th edition of GrootGroenPlus, which will be held from 30 September – 2 October 2026, have already started. Registration is open and the trade fair will take place at the same location.