SHERIDAN, WYOMING -- June 2, 2026 -- The Industrieverband Garten (IVG) has opened registration for its annual Forum Gartenmarkt, scheduled for November 5 at the Maritim Hotel in Düsseldorf. The event runs under the theme "Fit for Change - Those Who Adapt, Flourish" and is expected to draw around 250 attendees from industry, retail, and media. Delegates who register before July 31 receive a 10 percent early-bird discount. A get-together the evening before is included in the congress fee.
Forum Positions Adaptability as the Central Business Challenge for 2026
The IVG is framing this year's forum around the pressures currently reshaping the garden market. Subdued consumer sentiment, declining purchasing power, and geopolitical tensions - including trade conflicts and supply chain risks - are affecting the green industry alongside other sectors. The event's theme directly addresses these conditions, positioning adaptability and willingness to change as the core competencies businesses need to generate opportunity even in difficult operating environments.
IVG Managing Director Anna Hackstein has articulated this framing publicly, pointing to a business environment where external disruptions are now a structural reality rather than a temporary condition. The forum aims to give attendees concrete points of reflection for navigating that environment.
High-Profile Speakers to Address Garden Market and Cross-Sector Trends
The congress program will feature senior speakers examining key developments in the garden market as well as relevant dynamics from adjacent industries. The IVG has not yet published the full program, which will be released separately ahead of the event.
The format combines structured content sessions with dedicated networking time. For buyers, category managers, and brand leaders in the garden sector, the combination of market analysis and cross-industry perspective is a consistent draw of the annual forum.
Get-Together on November 4 Brings Retail and Industry Together Informally
The evening before the main congress - November 4 - industry and retail representatives will meet at the Maritim Hotel for a pre-event get-together. The informal session is designed to allow participants to exchange views on current sector topics outside of the structured congress format. Attendance at the get-together is included in the standard congress fee, with no separate registration required.
BHB, VDG, and BVE Co-Organize the Event Alongside IVG
The forum is organized in cooperation with three partner associations: the Verband deutscher Gartencenter (VDG), the Handelsverband Heimwerken, Bauen und Garten (BHB), and the Bundesverband Einzelhandelsgärtner (BVE) within the Zentralverband Gartenbau. The multi-association structure reflects the forum's positioning as a cross-sector gathering for the broader garden trade rather than a single-constituency event.
This cooperative format also connects the IVG Forum Gartenmarkt to a wider institutional network, giving the event reach across garden center operators, DIY retailers, and specialist garden retailers simultaneously.
Early-Bird Registration Closes July 31 - Full Program to Follow
Registrations are open now at www.ivg.org/forum-gartenmarkt. The 10 percent early-bird rate applies to all registrations completed by July 31, 2026. The IVG will publish the full speaker program in the coming weeks.
For garden industry professionals planning their autumn conference calendar, the November 4-5 dates in Düsseldorf represent one of the sector's main annual gathering points. The Maritim Hotel venue and the city's central location make it accessible for delegates traveling from across Germany and neighboring markets.
Further details on program, speakers, and registration are available at Forum Gartenmarkt