There's only one day left for you to add your name to the guest list for the SOLEX Awards Ceremony & Afterparty on 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.

Full details can be seen here.  Bookings close at midnight on Friday 21st June! Add your name to the guest list using this link: SOLEX Awards Ceremony & Afterparty

Plus, the SOLEX Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening is on Wednesday 10th July, incorporating the Chicken Euros BBQ Competition, which is set to light up the evening with charm and flavour.

Full details can be seen here.  And you can add your name to that guest list using this link: SOLEX Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening

GTN’s SOLEX 2024 preview.  In this issue:

• Exhibition plan and exhibitor list
• SOLEX Euros Afterparty and Awards
• SOLEX BBQ Hero’s competition - The Chicken Euros
• Bramblecrest for the good times
• Exhibitor news from: Ascalon, BBQ Gourmet, Bizzotto, Celtic Leisure, Charles Taylor, Charlie Ovens, Dansons Pit Boss, Eco Fuego, Firepits UK, Firmans Direct, Glatz, Hartman, LeisureGrow, LifestyleGarden, Maze, Norfolk Leisure, Outback, Quest Leisure, Supremo, The Old Basket Supply Ltd, Tom Chambers, Woodlodge, Zest
• SOLEX A Brighter Shade

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...

Mark your calendar for Wednesday,10 July because the Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening, in partnership with BBQ magazine, makes its highly anticipated return for the second year running from 6 to 8 pm in the Loving Outdoor Living Zone at SOLEX 24.

This year, six teams will go head-to-head in the Chicken Euros competition, paying homage to the UEFA Euros tournament, in hopes of securing the prestigious BBQ Hero Trophy. With a thrilling cooking showdown and fantastic prizes, this event is not to be missed.

Joining us for the evening is renowned TV personality and Horticulturalist David Domoney. With his extensive knowledge and experience working on popular shows like ITV’s Love Your Garden and ITV’s This Morning , David will not only be your host for the evening but he will enlighten us on the nutritional value of herbs, how to grow them, and how best to use them in flavouring food. He will also share his expertise on growing your own fruit and the health benefits that come with it. Alongside him, BBQ Magazine's esteemed chef, farmer, and events guru Ian Jones (BEM) will be sure to keep you entertained.

The Fire Food and Outdoor Living Evening promises to be an unforgettable experience complete with friendly competition, delectable food, refreshing drinks, and lively entertainment. It's the perfect opportunity to expand your network and mingle with colleagues while enjoying all that the industry has to offer. Don't miss out on this spectacular event and secure your spot on the guest list today. 

BOOK NOW  to join us for an evening of excitement, delicious food, and good company. 

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

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 - Bookings close at midnight on Friday 21st June! Add your name to the guest list today BOOK NOW 

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.

GTN June/July 2024 – SOLEX Preview.  In this issue: Bring on the plants – GTN talks to Hannah Cook, Welcome to NOVA’s new Experience Centre, A Bridgerton Chelsea Flower Show, More showrooms to visit , Outdoor adventures with Fandango Fire Tools, SOLEX 2024 – GTN’s 26-page show preview, SOLEX show floor plan, Welcome to the SOLEX Afterparty and Awards, Celebrating BBQ Hero’s at SOLEX, Bramblecrest on a mission, News and latest products from SOLEX exhibitors, SOLEX green initiatives, Greenfingers opens new garden, NOVA brand and business model revamp, GIMA golf day, Glee’s 50 Year Hero’s, Chelsea’s plant winners- GTN’s Planteria, Promoting the industry - HTA Viewpoint, Innovation driving retail – GIMA Viewpoint.

The draw for the 10 lucky candidates for the 2024-25 LOFA Sales Academy took place at Gates Garden Centre on Friday 10 May. 

Under a beautiful blue sky GTN's Trevor Pfeiffer drew the names out of the bag to allow 10 individuals from LOFA member brands to take part in the academy delivered by Metamorphose. The Sales Training and Personal Coaching program initiated by LOFA earlier this year to nurture sales talent within our industry is now officially underway. 

The 10 candidates are: 

• Ben Depla – Ascalon Design Ltd
• Bradon Lewis – Bramblecrest
• Charlie Butt – Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle Ltd
• Clement Harris – Gardeco Ltd
• Harry Willis - 4 Seasons Outdoor UK
• Luke Badland – Rotospa
• Mateusz Kamanski – Maze Outdoor
• Poppy Mcgibbon – Beefeater Europe
• Zac Windsor – Supremo Leisure
• Zac Morris  - Firestorm Heaters 

These candidates will be enrolled in the training academy commencing on June 24th at the Metamorphose office in Cheltenham. The program comprises of three modules: Foundation Skills, Buyer Behaviour and Inspirational Presentations, and Business Negotiation. The candidate with the highest overall score throughout the program will be honoured at SOLEX 2025, along with the announcement of the next 10 candidates chosen for 2025-26 Academy. 

This is a fantastic initiative for LOFA and a wonderful opportunity for those new to our industry who can benefit from this tailored training. 

LOFA Chairman Steve Millington said: "This is fantastic for our industry as it will empower a whole new generation of salespeople, equipping them with the necessary skills to excel in their roles within today’s marketplace. It is also a valuable additional benefit for LOFA members."

www.lofa.co.uk

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