Why this conference

For thousands of years, the tulip has captivated the minds and hearts of people across the globe. Originating from the East, this emblem of spring has journeyed far and wide, splashing landscapes with vibrant colors and joy. Each year, millions are drawn to parks, gardens, festivals, and farms globally—all united by their admiration for this exquisite flower. In fact, the tulip’s universal appeal transcends cultural barriers, forging connections among people worldwide.

Join us at the 9th World Tulip Summit in October 2024, a premier event dedicated to enhancing the tulip visitor experience and developing innovative promotion strategies. Here, you’ll gain invaluable insights, fresh ideas, and new contacts, empowering you to elevate your tulip attractions and visitor engagement.

Who Should Attend?

The World Tulip Summit is designed for executive directors and managers at gardens, parks, festivals, and farms, particularly those focusing on horticulture and marketing.

Tourism Boards keen on exploring the positive impacts of tulip tourism on local communities and economies will find this summit particularly beneficial.

Schedule

  • 09:00 - 10:30

    Key-notes on Destination Development

    Industry experts from tourism boards, travel operators, online platforms, and media share the latest trends and developments in (tulip) tourism and consumer preferences and behavior

  • 10:30 - 11:00

    Break

    Coffee break

  • 11:00 - 12:30

    Keynotes on Destination Promotion

    Industry experts from tourism boards, travel operators, online platforms and media, share the latest trends and developments in (tulip) tourism and consumer preferences and behavior.

  • 12:30 - 13:30

    Lunch

    A lunch buffet will be served next to the main conference room

  • 13:30 - 17:00

    Break-out sessions

    - Horticulture: variety selection and plant designs, timing of blooms, pest, weed and disease control - Marketing & Sales: expectation management, visitor engagement and activation, and sales channel strategy - Visitor Experience: planning and designing ‘emotional souvenirs’, photo moments, and storytelling

  • 16:30 - 17:00

    Global PR project launch

    During this session, we kick off a unique publicity and media project with world-renowned landscape photographer Albert Dros about how the tulip connects with people worldwide — and your tulip garden or festival can be part of it! The series will be part of a global publicity campaign. We will share more about this during the summit. Albert has photographed three tulip shows in the USA, the Netherlands, and China; there is more to come!

  • 19.00 - 21.00

    Awards Gala Dinner

    an evening to celebrate our accomplishments with the famous World Tulip Society Awards and experience the ‘Journey of the Tulip’ through tulip diplomacy in media, art and international relations

Speakers

Wang Hua

Dafeng Holland Flower Park, China

Kang Hang-sik

Korea Flower Park, South Korea

Scott Stenstrom

Fifth Third Bank, USA

Kate Onos-Gilbert

Harrison Tulip Festival, Canada

Jo Riding

Canadian Tulip Festival, Canada

Giuseppe Sigurtà

CEO and Co-Owner, Parco Sigurtà, Italy

Henk Looijesteijn

Historian and author of 'Tulip Fever'

Sam Beare

Tulleys Tulip Fest, United Kingdom

Partners