BouquetMat at IPM ESSEN 2026
Collaboration, flexibility and openness to the global floristry world
IPM ESSEN 2026 once again confirmed its position as the most important international meeting point for the horticultural and floristry industry in Europe. For BouquetMat, this year’s edition was particularly meaningful — not only because of the scale and importance of the fair itself, but also because of the way we participated and the partnerships that emerged during the event.
BouquetMat took part in IPM ESSEN at the invitation of Blumenautomat24, our official partner and representative on the German market. We see this invitation as a strong sign of trust and recognition, confirming that BouquetMat is perceived as a valuable, practical and flexible solution for florists, events and the wider professional market.
IPM ESSEN 2026 – positive signals for the industry
According to the official final report published by the organisers, IPM ESSEN 2026 sent very positive signals to the global horticultural and floristry sector. The fair brought together approximately 1,400 exhibitors from more than 45 countries, welcoming nearly 40,000 professional visitors from around the world.
Organisers highlighted:
- a strong and open atmosphere,
- high-quality, future-oriented business conversations,
- growing interest in innovation, automation and new business models.
IPM ESSEN is no longer just a product showcase. It has become a platform for dialogue, where technology, craftsmanship, aesthetics and real business challenges meet. This is precisely the environment in which BouquetMat naturally fits.
Spirit of Aloha – a global floristry experience
One of the most inspiring and widely discussed highlights of IPM ESSEN 2026 was the Spirit of Aloha show. International floristry media, including Florists’ Review, described it as an experience that went far beyond a traditional trade fair presentation.
The show combined Hawaiian floral heritage, cultural storytelling and top-level floral artistry, offering a deeply emotional and authentic experience for a global professional audience. It was a celebration of floristry as culture, art and connection — not just technique.
The main stage host and curator was Björn Kroner, a renowned German floral expert and television personality. His role went far beyond hosting. Björn Kroner acted as a bridge between Hawaiian floral traditions and European audiences, translating cultural context into a form that resonated with international visitors.
BouquetMat in a completely new role
As part of this collaboration, BouquetMat Aloha was used in a way that perfectly demonstrated the flexibility and universality of our solution.
For several days during IPM ESSEN, BouquetMat was not used as a flower vending machine. Instead, it became:
- professional floral backstage infrastructure,
- an exclusive premium display,
- an integral element of the scenography supporting one of the fair’s most remarkable shows.
Stable temperature, controlled humidity and gentle, continuous ventilation created ideal conditions for highly demanding floral elements — including Hawaiian lei necklaces. Despite having no access to water, these floral creations retained their freshness, form and decorative quality for four full days. This was repeatedly emphasised during live stage presentations.
Additional BouquetMat functionalities played a key role:
- the BOXCO system, allowing temporary shelf connections and the creation of tall, non-standard compartments,
- the rotating shelf, adding movement and visual dynamics to the display,
- remote compartment opening via a smartphone app, essential in the intense traffic around the main stage.
Although BouquetMat remained discreetly in the background, it was a silent but critical element enabling the success of the entire installation.
Technology as a partner to floral art
Our participation in IPM ESSEN 2026 and cooperation with Björn Kroner clearly showed that BouquetMat is more than a sales tool. It is a solution capable of supporting:
- floral art and creativity,
- international industry events,
- premium exhibitions,
- unconventional and previously unplanned use cases.
As floristry increasingly becomes an experience, a story and an emotional connection, technology should act as a partner to creators, not a threat to their work. BouquetMat was designed precisely with this philosophy in mind.
Open to collaboration
Participating in IPM ESSEN 2026 at the invitation of Blumenautomat24 marks an important step in building BouquetMat’s presence on the German market and within the international floristry community. We remain open to new projects, creative collaborations and unconventional applications of our solutions — wherever technology can genuinely support florists, their artistry and their businesses.
IPM ESSEN once again proved that the future of floristry is shaped through dialogue, partnership and openness to new forms of cooperation. We are proud to have been part of this process.
Let’s talk about the right solution for your business
If our presence at IPM ESSEN 2026 and the way BouquetMat was used during the Spirit of Aloha show has inspired you, we invite you to get in touch with us directly. We will be happy to help you choose the best configuration and cooperation model, tailored to your business, location and market needs.
📞 +48 576 375 900
📧 hello@bouquetmat.com
We also encourage you to explore other articles on our blog, where we share insights from different markets, real-life implementations and practical perspectives on the future of modern floristry and flower retail.
Technology only makes sense when it truly supports people and their work — this is the direction in which we continue to develop BouquetMat.
