Glee 2015 to take place in Birmingham, UK, Sept.14 to 16

 

“In many ways 2014 could be considered the perfect storm. The sun shone, consumers spent money and we made the decision to look at ways to create a brighter, more vitalised annual Glee exhibition. Together all these elements came together to create one of the strongest showcases for the UK garden retail market in several years," said Matthew Mein, event director at Glee. 

 

“The changes that were made to revitalise Glee were incredibly well received and have stood us in good stead for the 2015 show. The move to the new location within NEC Halls 17 to 20 has not only created a vibrant layout, which is helping buyers to walk the show and ultimately source new suppliers, but it is also inspiring exhibitors to think differently about their stands. As a result, we’re seeing more and more exhibitors book bigger stand spaces, as well as talking to us about how they can maximize their presence at the show. It’s fantastic to work with so many focussed and passionate companies, and have no doubt that this enthusiasm will pay dividends when the show opens in September," he added. “We are well on track to see in excess of 530 exhibitors, including a phenomenal 350 new exhibitors and over 75 international brands." 

 

 

 

Glee Garden Care is Glee’s most busiest area, and represents the biggest area of growth within the show. Glee’s Garden Care sector will feature growing media, compost, fertilisers, and GYO products to garden machinery, garden tools and accessories.  

 

Key exhibitors for Glee Garden Care include Westland, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Gardman, Smart Garden, Bord Na Mona, Burgon & Ball, Briers, Town & Country, Kaemingk, Elho, Agralan, Scheurich, Barenburg, Belstane, Black Country Metal Works, Artevasi, Bosmere, Malton Plastics, Maingate Ltd, Mr Fothergills Seeds, PotMagic, Oakthrift Corporation, Rollins Bulldog Tools, Sinclair Horticulture, Spear & Jackson, Stax, Taylors Bulbs, Copely Developments, DLF Trifolium, Doff Portland, Elho, Fallen Fruits, Garden On A Roll, Garland Products, Haws Watering Cans, Vitax, Vegtrug, Neudorff, Westwood Global, Whitefurze and Wildlife World.  

 

Lapsed companies making their return to Glee in 2015 include Stewart Plastics, Fiskars, Draper Tools and Parasene.   

 

Hozelock has also confirmed its return to Glee following a break of several years. “Hozelock’s return comes at a time of growth for Glee, so it’s great to see that the changes we’re making are appealing to those brands that may not have seen value in exhibiting at Glee in recent years. Being able to welcome so many of them back is testament to the hard work and ongoing commitment to change that underpins all our development plans for the show," Mein said. 

 

Garden Design & Landscaping provides an unrivalled showcase of influential brands and leaders in garden and landscaping design, and represents an area of significant growth at Glee during 2015. This area will feature best-practice examples of how to cross-sell products. From hard landscaping and aggregates to fencing, garden buildings and decorative accents such as pots, structures, soft landscaping, statuary, water features and timber supplies, Glee Garden Design will provide resources to help garden retailers, builders’ merchants and landscapers to maximise those products that create the framework of every garden.  

 

Exhibitors confirmed so far for the 2015 show include Woodlodge, Deco-Pak, Lafarge Tarmac, Apta, Kelkay, Global Stone, Grange Fencing, Zest 4 Leisure, Albany Shed Company, Artform (UK), Blakeway Stone, Cadix, Hedge UK, Ivyline, Deroma UK, Luxform, Meadow View Stone, Melcourt Industries, Powys & Marches Stone, Vivid Arts, Fitrite Fencing & Decking and HamacTrading.  

 

New and lapsed companies will include Eden Halls Greenhouses, Elite Greenhouses, RockinColour and UK Garden Buildings.

 

Glee Garden Leisure will feature the best from the industry’s leading companies, creating an opportunity for buyers looking to source next year’s ranges to tap into growing leisure demand. Garden furniture, barbeques and parasols to chimeneas, conservatory and indoor furniture, play equipment and camping essentials will be showcased from companies including Premier Decorations, CPL Distribution, Minster Stylish Living Ltd, Maze Rattan, Suntime, Aspire Outdoors, and John Adams Leisure. New and returning brands such as Ascalon, PKL Leisure, Masters Outdoor Leisure Limited and Rosker UK will also be showcasing. 

 

Glee Plants is where buyers can shop for the best in nursery stock, bedding plants, house plants, cut flowers, trees and shrubs, herbs and florist sundries from both UK and international growers; as well as seeing the latest plant trends and merchandising techniques.  

 

The Glee Green Heart will also be returning in 2015. Located at the entrance to Glee within the atrium area of the NEC, this new area will see 60 growers come together to create a leading showcase for both British and internationally grown plants, and will put ‘green’ right back into the center of the show. This year, the area will be supported by a new program of activities led by The Garden Works’ independent garden center consultant, Kevin Waters. Throughout the show, Kevin will lead a number of guided tours around the Green Heart and wider sections of Glee, to demonstrate how cross merchandising and clever displays can highlight a continual year-round association with the plant offer, thereby making plants accessible – and loved –  by all who visit centers year-round. 

 

Key exhibitors confirmed for Glee Nursery & Planteria, and Glee Green Heart include Wyevale Nurseries, Darby Nursery Stock, SeedCell, Bristol Tropical Centre, Javado, Laurica Plants, Morleys Nurseries, Northumberland Nurseries, Plantworks, SP Trading (Scotland) Ltd, The Christmas Cabin Company and Wharton Nurseries.

 

Glee Home, Gift & Clothing is a key place to explore additional profit-making opportunities, something that many forward thinking retailers have already maximised.  As the garden retail gift market continues to grow as many garden centres become ‘destination centres’, Glee Home, Gift & Clothing brings together a huge selection of product ideas to help your gift offering stand out.  Added to this, the section also features additional, added value product lines such as clothing ranges, picnicware, seasonal decorations plus games, toys and books.  

 

Exhibitors confirmed for Glee Home Gift & Clothing in 2015 include Premier Decorations, Aigle, Brakeburn, Boodywear, Creekwood, Klass, Fairgoodies, Fordville, Fountasia, Home & Garden UK, Opal London, Italian Bag Company, Kaemingk, Luxa, RJB Stone, Moonshine Drinks, Noel Tatt Group, QMT Windchimes, Ravensburger, Regatta, Heavenly Feet, Sincere UK, Stewart’s Gift Tins, The Great British Card Company, The Original Metal Sign Co. and Woodstock Chimes.  

 

Glee Garden Retail Services will be full of the latest innovations, technologies and equipment for tomorrow’s retailers – including EPoS, shop fitting and display stands, structures, software solutions and garden center design – Retail Services is an essential part of Glee.  

 

Exhibitors confirmed for the 2015 show include Clearview Greenhouses, Creative Products, CSY Retail Systems, Davidson-Richards, DC Payments, Fargo, Garden Connect, Gilbert Evans, Malcolm Scott Consultants, MP Buildings, NedFox B.V, National Structures, Pleydell Smithyman, Quinton Edwards, Salepoint, Smiemens Projectan, Stagecraft, Thermoflor and G7 Swan.

 

Manufacturers of pet products and accessories will also have a stronger presence at Glee 2015 thanks to the introduction of the PetQuip Business Village.  PetQuip is a  leading trade association for suppliers of pet products, accessories and services in the UK. The Village is expected to be home to more than 20 companies, with additional PetQuip members such as Gardman and Westland also featuring throughout the wider show, coming together to launch and showcase their 2016 ranges to garden retail buyers and key decision makers.

 

The New Product Display is the place to head to see the most innovative, unique and commercial products from the hundreds of suppliers at Glee. The competition sees new designs and products displayed  with the best of each category receiving the accolade of a ‘Glee Award.’ Show visitors can also cast their vote for their favourite, awarding one \ entrant with the title of ‘Retailers Choice Award’.

 

Focused on one of the fastest growing profit opportunities for garden retailers, the Glee Food & Catering Zone - now in its fourth year - is designed to give garden retailers an opportunity to gather best practice examples, advice, contacts and products to help them initiate or improve their catering offering.  

 

This year The Food & Catering Zone seminar content will focus on key themes such as ’How to grow your restaurant successfully’, 'How to take inspiration from and compete with the high street,' and 'How to increase revenue and profit.' There will also be a special session on ‘How to use your café as your USP, and a way to generate loyalty, PR and differentiation.'

 

Business guidance is the center of the show’s education and learning center, ‘The Knowledge Hub,' with a raft of seminars designed to help you improve and grow your business for the year ahead. 

 

The Garden Industry Marketing Board will be showcasing unique garden leisure designs for small spaces that will appeal to 30 to 45 year-olds whowant to do more in their gardens, and outline ideas for a 2016 industry-wide campaign.Through seminars in the Hub, there will also be the opportunity to hear about the latest consumer research which highlights the wants and needs of these younger gardeners and the key hooks for getting them into their gardens and garden centers.

 

Launched in 2009, the Glee Innovators Zone has already helped more than 150 companies break into the garden retail market. This area is designed to help nurture valuable grass-roots product development and one-off design ideas, while also bridging the gap between market-ready new product launches from established companies and pre-commercial product ideas. This year Glee’s Innovators Zone will be home to more than 30 brand new companies.

 

The GIMA Business Village is home to a great selection of up and coming companies exhibiting with the support of GIMA. Glee will also present the GIMA Business Lounge, a place to take a break, arrange meetings and catch up with key suppliers. It is also home to the “Buyers Connect” speed networking sessions which will see selected exhibitors meet with show visitors for 10-minute slots for a power-networking session.

 

The UKTI International Buyers Centre (IBC) in partnership with Gardenex will be located in Hall 18. The IBC will be led by the team at Gardenex, who will be on hand to provide support and advice as well as translation services. The International Buyers Centre will also be home to “International Buyers Connect," a special speed-networking event.  

 

To really find out how you can export to build your business just head for the UKTI stand, where International Trade Advisers (ITAs) will be on hand to discuss every aspect of what it means to export, where and how. There will also be case studies from businesses that have already succeeded, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and discover more about the options available. A range of seminars from UKTI and UK businesses will also be hosted on the stand, and by joining these you can learn about the support available to you and advice from those who have already successfully started exporting overseas.

 

Entry to Glee is free of charge to all pre-registered visitors. Register via the Glee website www.gleebirmingham.com/register.