ABOUT

About MANTS

MANTS ® The Masterpiece of Trade Shows™ is one of the largest private trade shows serving the horticulture industry. The event has a strong track record of attracting highly qualified attendees, with over 85 percent being decision-makers or influencers within their companies. With a sold-out trade show floor featuring everything from plants, nursery stock, and garden items to equipment, tools and outdoor living essentials, MANTS consistently offers a great range of opportunities for learning and partnership-building. MANTS is held annually at the Baltimore Convention Center and welcomes approximately 11,000 attendees and more than 900 exhibitors.

• 1970: Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show, Inc. (MANTS ®) was established by the Maryland and Virginia Nurserymen’s Associations. The West Virginia Nurserymen’s Association became the third partner in 1972. All three State Nursery and Landscape Associations are equal sponsors of the show.
• MANTS ® is the primary source of funding for the VNLA.
• 1971: MANTS ® was first held in Williamsburg, VA with 64 exhibitors. In 1972, MANTS ® was held in Cockeysville, Maryland with 79 exhibitors. Through the following years the show continued to grow with several more in Maryland and three at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
• 1978: VNLA’s Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH) program began.
• 1980: MANTS ® was held in Norfolk, Virginia. All subsequent winter shows have been held at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland.
• MANTS ® is widely known as The Masterpiece of Trade Shows and the place where industry members come every January because MANTS ® means business. The show covers over 300,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space. Today the show has a waiting list and it strives to accommodate as many space requests from current and prospective exhibitors. MANTS ® draws exhibiting companies and attendees from throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan and Asia.
• 1998: Virginia Nurseryman’s Association (VNA) became Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association (VNLA). Reflecting the diversity of membership to include production nurseries, landscape contractors and designers, retailer garden centers, educators and others.
• 2018: VNLA’s Virginia Certified Horticulturist (VCH) program celebrated 40 years!
• 2020: MANTS ® celebrated its 50th year anniversary!

If you have questions about MANTS ®  or any information provided on this page, please call or email the VNLA.

To learn more about MANTS ® visit: www.mants.com