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Garden Centers of America, the only national trade association exclusively for independent garden centers, will hold its 2011 Annual Meeting at 12:15 p.m. Aug. 18 at the IGC Show in Chicago. The highlight of the annual meeting will be the presentation of GCA’s new Bathroom Awards.
The meeting will also feature an update on association member programs and a town hall style discussion of garden center best practices led by GCA President David Williams.
The Annual Meeting will kickoff with a report to the membership on GCA’s activities and membership programs in 2010-11. This will include a highlights on the recent summer tour, access to American Horticultural Society (AHS) gardening articles, educational webinars, networking opportunities, GCA’s energy audit service, and other member services.
GCA’s new Bathroom Awards presentations will honor those garden centers that have recognized the importance of restrooms in their garden center and have done an outstanding job in making their restrooms a positive factor in the customer’s shopping experience.
Award categories to be presented include the ‘Best of the Best Award,’ a Gold Award, a Silver Award and Awards of Merit.
The meeting will conclude with a town hall style discussion moderated by Williams, GCA President. The session format will focus on the real value of a GCA membership, providing opportunities for members to network with other members and share their best management practices. The GCA Annual Meeting will be held in true Chicago style with a complimentary beer and pizza lunch.
For more information, contact Shanan Molnar, vice president of operations, Garden Centers of America at (888) 648-6463 or e-mail smolnar@asginfo.net.