Editor’s notebook: Martha mania

If you’ve ever left the Greater Columbus Convention Center to head to the North Market for lunch during Cultivate, you’ve probably seen the iconic Arnold Schwarzenegger statue. But maybe you’ve wondered why it exists.

It’s a fair question. The 78-year-old actor is the former governor of California, not Ohio. Although his Mr. Universe bodybuilding title technically includes Ohio, not every state pays respect to the Austrian Oak with an 8-foot-tall bronze statue.

Photo © Matt McClellan

Well, the Greater Columbus Convention Center has hosted the Arnold Sports Festival since 1989. It’s grown since then to encompass more sports, but the pillar is the Arnold Classic, one of the most prestigious bodybuilding events in the world. The event typically takes place in late February or early March at the same hall where we all ooh and ahh over the latest and greatest plants.

Cultivate is a bigger event by total attendees, but one thing the Arnold Classic typically has over Cultivate is star power. By virtue of Schwarzenegger’s movie star status, he’s usually the biggest deal in Columbus.

However, that changed this year when Martha Stewart arrived at Cultivate. The home and garden legend toured the trade show on Monday, July 13, riding through the aisles on a golf cart, flanked by her head gardener, Ryan McCallister, and with security personnel keeping her path clear.

She made several stops, notably at Star Roses and Plants, where she observed the Martha Stewart Rose, a hybrid tea rose in the Bloomables collection, and Miracle-Gro, a company in which she serves as chief gardening officer.

Of course, Martha Stewart is one of the absolute biggest names in the industry. She’s built a home and garden empire, from publishing to television and retail, and she’s partnered with many of the companies exhibiting at Cultivate.

When word started to spread that she was on the show floor, the buzz picked up. Attendees were planning routes through the show hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrity. Social media was flooded with pictures and videos of Martha on the move.

The GIE Media Horticulture Group’s Katie McDaniel and Emily Mills captured some of the frenzy in the video below, in which you can see Martha visiting with Anna Ball and Bradd Yoder at the Star Roses and Plants booth.

Will we be able to top this celebrity encounter next year? We'll see.

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