The garden industry was reunited in remarkable style as suppliers and buyers gathered for a memorable three days of business and networking during Glee 2021 at the NEC Birmingham. And as the door closed on a spectacular event, show organiser Matthew Mein told GTN Xtra: “It's been a fantastic three days. We've been in anticipation for this show nearly two years, after the last Glee in person, and to be back here over these three days has been really special.
“To get the industry back together, I think everyone that's attended, whether it's exhibitors or visitors, have been really pleased to be here with a smile on their face.
“I think the fact that they can engage with each other again, it's a great friendly industry, linked in with actually being able to see product and compare and contrast with all the other aspects of seeing newness, it's been it's been fabulous seeing it all take place.
“This Glee has been bursting with so much newness! I think there's more enthusiasm than ever and after 18 really good months for the gardening industry, there's a real appetite for product and ideas to continue the really good retailing that's been going on in this sector.”
Matthews Glee 2021 highlights?
“The first was the first day of the show, that throng that noise around about midday, just the aisles being busy and just seeing lots of smiling faces and people picking up product talking about ideas. I think also the 125 new companies that were at the show as well.
“And then the other highlight, was the New Product Awards on day two. The volume of new products entered, the theatre that we've had doing the pitches, it's been fun and presenting the winners in The Stage for the first time in front of a packed audience. Great fun!
“And that's the whole thing that you've seen over these three days is how sociable it's been as well.”
On the move to June next year:
“it's a decision that's taken a while to form. We were looking at some of the trends that were happening pre-pandemic and really understanding those in a bit more detail going back into early in the year. This spring, we spoke to the industry, the retailers, both independent and multiple, to get their viewpoint of where their businesses are going to really get a better understanding.
“From that we can see the lead times are longer lead now for new products to get them supplied, manufactured and into the supply chain. And I think by changing that dateline, we make sure that the show is at its optimum time for transacting. There will be an access shift by doing this. But we've been led by the garden retailer feedback and they are really backing it. Linked into that, the exhibitors are really backing it as well. We've seen that with a really strong re-book already."
Thank you to all exhibitors and visitors:
“I want to say thank you to the efforts of all the exhibitors who have come to Glee 2021 and for putting on a great show. And thanks to all the visitors who came.
“The exhibitors that have supported this show have really got behind it. In terms of their efforts, the look and feel of the show, it's amazing the level of quality of exhibitors stands here. Some of the merchandising ideas that they're creating should look fantastic in store next season. I think consumers are in for a really good time and they can really shop off those point of sale stands.”
"See you all in June 2022."
