In collaboration with Meta-Morphose, LOFA have tailored an exclusive, top-tier sales and coaching program for LOFA members, tackling the challenges of the evolving garden leisure industry head-on.

Through engaging modules and personal coaching, this programme is designed not just to teach, but to integrate essential sales and negotiation skills into your work force.

What's even better? It's free for LOFA members! Open exclusively to all their employees under 30, this is a stellar opportunity to not just grow professionally but shine within the outdoor leisure industry.

There are ten spaces available each year, put your name forward, and you could be one of the first selected in the draw by GTN Editor, Trevor Pfeiffer on Friday 10th May, embarking on a journey of sales mastery, culminating at SOLEX 2025 with a trophy for the top performer. 

Unlock the sales potential within your business with the launch of the LOFA Sales academy. Transform your sales approach and take on the business world like never before.

The LOFA Sales Academy is your golden ticket!

Ready set, grow with LOFA! 

Applications need to be submitted to gina@lofa.com by Friday April 26 

N.B One candidate application per member only per year.

Based in Cheltenham, Meta-morphose have been established for 30 years training sales agents from leading blue chip corporations including Westland & Fiskars. 

Are you a member of the outdoor leisure industry seeking to stay on top of the latest trends in outdoor living products? If so, then you simply cannot afford to miss out on SOLEX 2024, a "Celebration of Summer." This three-day event brings together the most renowned luxury outdoor brands, offering both quality buyers and visitors an opportunity to explore what's new in both the retail and contract markets. From eco-friendly designs to forging new connections within the industry, SOLEX has everything you need!

What can you expect from this premier event? SOLEX 2024 provides key industry buyers with a unique opportunity to discover new products, witness innovations in design, and explore retail and contract market solutions, all under one roof. In addition, the relaxed and friendly atmosphere fosters a professional focus on both retail and contract markets, giving business professionals and buyers alike a chance to establish new relationships within this vibrant industry. Finally, it enables buyers to preview the hottest trends for shop floors in Spring/Summer 2025.

SOLEX 2024 showcases some of the finest luxury outdoor brands from across the country, highlighting the sustainable initiatives these prestigious companies are taking as they strive to provide better products for the marketplace while also caring for the environment. With so much innovation on display at this event, attendees are sure to be blown away by the experience!

The SOLEX team understands the needs of retailers who are passionate about outdoor living, offering nine distinct product lines to discover. From Garden Furniture and Shading for that perfect aesthetic touch to Barbecues that will enable you to entertain with confidence, and from clever Garden Decoration ideas for creative flair outside your home to delightful Leisure Buildings that can add extra space in those special spots around your garden. SOLEX 2024 has something for everyone! Additionally, Outdoor Spa & Heating products ensure you stay cozy outdoors on cooler evenings, and Outside Entertainment solutions guarantee lasting fun.

Whether you're looking for trendsetting designs or sustainable initiatives in outdoor living products, make sure you visit SOLEX 2024—the place where outdoor leisure buyers come together! Immerse yourself in beauty and innovation as you explore what's new in both the retail and contract markets. With its relaxed atmosphere and professional focus on attendees from multiple and independent garden centres, high street and department stores, online retailers, DIY stores, and other industry professionals, this premier event offers boundless opportunities for everyone involved. Don't miss out – register today!

REGISTER TODAY FOR SOLEX 2024 

…and be in with a chance of winning a £200 voucher for Virgin Experience Days. You can take your pick from over 1,000 fantastic experiences that are £100 or less. From getting behind the wheel of an Aston Martin, relaxing in style with your partner or friend in a luxury spa, or enjoying a Japanese whisky masterclass, it’s up to you!

PLUS, there are two £75 Virgin vouchers for the runners up! 

What are you waiting for? Register today to be part of the only outdoor living exhibition organised by the industry for the industry! 

To get you in the mood for SOLEX 2024, here's our gallery of photos from SOLEX 2023 taken just before the show opened...

SOLEX Exhibition, the premier event that gathers the best and brightest of the outdoor leisure industry, has announced an Awards Ceremony & Afterparty to kick off the excitement of the summer event on the Tuesday 9 July. Marking its 16th year, SOLEX Exhibition has curated a night of celebration, networking, and a thrilling football-themed evening to coincide with the highly anticipated UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals.

With a captivating football-themed setting, the stage will be set with tv screens and hot food, as industry players gather, attendees can look forward to not only the prestigious SOLEX Awards but also to the electric atmosphere as the evening blends business recognition with the shared love for the beautiful game.

Adding to the excitement, former Ex - England footballer Dion Dublin will be joining us for the event to share insights and predictions ahead of the semi-final clash, (which we hope will feature England) as well as taking part in a Q&A session. The evening begins with a Welcome Drink and Hot Buffet, leading into the hotly awaited match on the big screen. The SOLEX Awards will be presented by Dion at half time. The afterparty, will be a chance to mingle outside the usual professional environment and promises to be as thrilling as the game itself.

The evening won't just be about football. We will have delicious food and drink, exciting entertainment, and a chance to unwind and socialize with exhibitors and visitors. So even if you're not a fan of the beautiful game, we've got you covered.

Don't miss out! Add your name to the guest list today BOOK NOW

Ready your grills, sharpen your knives, and stoke the fires! SOLEX Exhibition 2024 is about to welcome back the crowd-pleasing, taste-bud-teasing Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening incorporating our BBQ Competition, which is set to light up the evening with charm and flavour.

Scheduled for Wednesday 10 July, the evening now in its second year, is the event that celebrates not only the mastery of the grill but the communal joy of al fresco dining.

Attendees eagerly anticipate the BBQ showdown, where teams of both exhibitors and visitors will vie for the prestigious BBQ Trophy. The stakes are high.  Each team aims to impress the judges, including industry experts with a signature dish.

Competition is set to heat up under the open skies outside Hall 5, be it under a radiant sun or cheering each other on beneath the shelter of gazebos, all competitors and spectators are poised to make beautiful bites of every challenge.

The essence of the evening is more than just the BBQ prize it embodies the thrill of the grill and the unifying spirit of good food shared.

Don't miss out! Add your name to the guest list today BOOK NOW

In order to ensure that everyone can fully immerse themselves in the Exhibition and exciting SOLEX Evening Events, we have secured Special Hotel Rates For Visitors who wish to attend these events and stay overnight on Tuesday 9th or Wednesday 10th July.

For the exclusive price of £100 per room, per night, SOLEX visitors can take advantage of this offer and enjoy a comfortable stay while attending the exhibition and events. This offer is not to be missed!

Don't miss out! Follow the link to book your stay BOOK NOW

or scan this QR Code:

N.B. Hotel rooms are subject to availability. Offer ends 30 April 2024.

In 2022, we made the bold decision to transform Solex into a carbon neutral event, a big challenge!

We knew that it would be a difficult task, but we were determined to make it happen. So, in collaboration with Planet Mark, we took the first steps towards making our event a better shade of green.

Thanks to the guidelines provided by Planet Mark, we were able to measure our carbon footprint. We realized that data gathering is key to achieving our goal. To that end, we started asking all visitors to let us know their mode of transport at registration. Although the first year (2022) was a bit of a challenge, with some attendees neglecting to include their details or postcode, last year, nearly everyone got on board.

We also measured the electricity, gas, water, waste, and courier freight usage.

We were thrilled to see that our travel carbon footprint dropped from 97.9 to 95.5, thanks to the efforts of our exhibitors, and visitors alike. While our waste emissions stayed the same, our water usage went up slightly. However, our courier freight dropped significantly from 20.3 to 17.5.

The result? A total score of 19 out of 20, which we're extremely proud of.

We couldn't have achieved this without you.

We're grateful to all exhibitors and visitors who attended SOLEX and helped us to monitor our carbon footprint. We want to say A BIG THANK YOU to everyone, you’ve made a real difference.

So, when you register this year for SOLEX 24, please remember that your feedback counts. It might take an extra minute to key in your postcode or let us know how you're travelling to visit us, but we promise you it'll be worth it in the end.

Planet Mark has given us some top tips for attendees and exhibitors to keep in mind. For those who can, we encourage you to visit SOLEX by train, as the NEC has its very own train station that drops you right in the centre of the venue.

If you're coming by car, why not car share with your colleagues? Turn up the tunes and get some car karaoke on the go!  And, for exhibitors, have you considered using transport route optimization software to find the most efficient routes and reduce your mileage? And last top tip, when you're loading your vehicles, ensure you reduce empty truck space and optimize product density.

Let's continue working together to make SOLEX an even greener event, and we hope to see you all there!

Register today https://www.solexexhibition.com/

SOLEX Exhibition | 9-11 July 2024 | Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham.

Spring has sprung, and we're thrilled to reveal a fresh new look to the SOLEX website.

As part of our SOLEX 2024 makeover, we've completely redesigned our website to embody the vibrant and summery atmosphere of the event. The user-friendly layout ensures a seamless browsing experience, providing easy access to all the information you need about SOLEX. Not only does the website's refresh make it visually appealing, but it also enhances user interaction, making it effortless for everyone to find the information they're looking for.

NEW EXHIBITOR PAGE

Check out our exciting new exhibitor page. This revamped section creates an immersive and user-friendly experience. The updated page will serve as a comprehensive hub of information for each visitor. As the clock starts ticking down towards SOLEX this new A-Z listing will start to reveal all you need to know about our exhibitors, and their innovative new products for the 2025 season. From ground-breaking advancements by established industry leaders to cutting-edge designs from emerging talents, this resourceful page helps visitors plan their itinerary and maximise their time at the exhibition. Watch this space!

REGISTER TODAY

As part of our efforts to streamline the SOLEX experience, we have updated our registration process for this year. Simply navigate to the dedicated 'Registration' page and secure your place at this year's SOLEX with just a few clicks.

Log on today and you can ensure your presence at this important industry event. Prompt registration not only guarantees your attendance but also allows you to fully utilise the features of our new website in advance, offering you the opportunity to plan your visit effectively. You can familiarise yourself with the exhibitor list, plan your itinerary, stay updated with our news section, and soak in the atmosphere of previous events through our gallery.

With this digital transformation, we aim to bring the essence of SOLEX right to your screens, allowing you to experience the excitement and energy of the exhibition even before setting foot inside.

Visit our newly designed website and get a taste of what SOLEX 2024 has in store for you!

https://www.solexexhibition.com/

SOLEX Exhibition | 9-11 July 2024 | Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham.

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GTN March 2024. In this issue:

• Gift Packaging from Woodmansterne
• Group Commitment – GTN Interview with Caroline Owen, Chair of the Tillington Group
• New retail solutions from Artevesi
• What’s Hot in 2024 – New products launched at the Garden Press Event
• Maximising seed sales at Mr Fothergills
• 25 years of Greenfingers FUNdraising
• Garden Re-Leaf Day 2024
• Strictly Blue Diamond – Exclusive Awards coverage
• New at Solex for 2024
• Products to delight from Spring Fair
• Be the best plant specialists – GTN Planteria special report
• A brighter shade of green – LOFA Column
• Three days of PATS in September 2024
• Celebrating 125 years – HTA Column
• The start is everything – GIMA Column