Luxflora, GIE Media and AmericanHort announce 5K race

Luxflora has a simple, direct goal: to create a network for women leaders in floriculture to build relationships, create and flourish. At Cultivate’16, Luxflora, in partnership with GIE Media and AmericanHort, is putting on an event that aims to do just that.

The organization is hosting a 5K run in downtown Columbus, Ohio, during Cultivate’16. The 5K, dubbed The Flower Run because runners will be showered in flowers as they cross the finish line, takes place on Sunday, July 10 at 6:30 a.m. The run is located in Scioto Audubon Park, a 120-acre green space located about 10 minutes away from the Greater Columbus Convention Center, home to Cultivate’16. Transportation will be provided to the race from the convention center. Participants can register here. 

“It’s an opportunity for males and females to join together and celebrate horticulture and the Luxflora initiative,” says Rebecca Lusk, one of the organization’s founders who is also a regional sales manager at Dümmen Orange. “It’s a time for men to support women and women to support other women in the initiative. And it’s a fun, healthy experience to kick off Cultivate.”

The race is designed not only to be a healthy stress reliever during a packed weekend, but also a chance for professionals of both genders to network in a more relaxed environment. Those who aren’t interested in running are also encouraged to come cheer on other runners and toss congratulatory dried flowers on runners as they finish.  

“Our day-to-day is always business-to-business. When you break away and have these adjunct type of forums, it allows you to loosen up and have fun and experience a different side of an individual that you may not have encountered when doing business with them,” says Lusk.

“One of the best things about the horticulture industry is the comradery and sense of joy that’s found in its people and at industry events,” says Jim Gilbride, Group Publisher of GIE Media’s Horticulture Group. “We are thrilled to partner with Luxflora and AmericanHort to launch this new event that is really a celebration of the industry spirit, at Cultivate 2016.”

Registration:
Early bird, ends June 12: $25
June 13-July 8:  $30
Race weekend:  $35

Sign up for the race here.

Groups of 10 or more get discounted pricing. For more information on group rates, call Kyle Jepson at 614-826-3314.

Packet pick-up:
Saturday, July 9, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center

Sunday, July 10, 5:30-6:30 a.m. at Scioto Audubon Park

Each participant will receive a free Flower Run T-shirt. For more information and to register, visit flowerrun.itsyourrace.com.
 

Luxflora was founded in 2015 by Lusk and Kate Santos, two executives looking to bring together female floriculture leaders with the hope of promoting the use of flowers in everyday life. They aim to create and inspire while embracing ideas from around the world.

AmericanHort is an association of businesses and professionals from across the spectrum of the industry. Its mission is to unite, promote and advance the industry through advocacy, collaboration, connectivity, education, market development and research.

GIE Media Inc. is a leading marketing and communications business media company. The goal of GIE Media is to publish the highest-quality business magazines, multimedia, e-newsletters, conferences, reference books and other forms of business media in growth industries with a quality standard based upon editorial value and market leadership. The GIE Media Horticulture Group includes publications Cannabis Business Times, Garden Center, Greenhouse Management, Nursery Management, Ornamental Breeder and Produce Grower.