With just a few weeks to go until the doors open on a refreshed and revitalised Glee (September 14-16, NEC Birmingham), the show organisers i2i Events are urging interested parties to book their space now within the show's newest feature – The Green Heart – as available exhibition space is filling up fast.
‘The Green Heart of Glee’ will be home to over 40 UK growers, each exhibiting their latest 2015 ranges, as well as offering exclusive, show-only deals. Housed in the Atrium area, directly outside the entrances to Glee’s new home with NEC halls 17-20 and incorporating the event's registration desks, ‘The Green Heart’ will fill what is thought to be the biggest greenhouse within the UK. It is within this space that growers and UK nurseries can create displays of everything from herbs and bedding plants, to trees, shrubs, alpines and even houseplants.
Neil Gow, Glee’s special project manager, said: “The response to the Green Heart of Glee has far exceeded our expectations, and now we are down to our last few remaining benches. I urge any interested parties to get in touch as soon as possible to ensure that they secure their presence within what is set to be an exciting showcase of plants at Glee.”
One UK grower that has already signed up for the show is Newleaf Plants. David Higginson Sales Manager said: “When Neil first talked to me about the idea of The Green Heart it seemed a bit of a no-brainer to be able to get our plants in front of so many key buyers and at minimal cost, so we booked our plot straight away.”
David’s comments were echoed by Helen Boers, Sales Director at Gardeners Kitchen Nurseries. She added: “We have always found Glee one of the most successful shows we do because we can get to speak to the business owners and senior managers as well as the plant buyers from right across the country. The Green Heart concept seems just brilliant to us and being able to show off our production in good light conditions to so many key retailers means we did not need to do too much thinking before we booked up. The low cost, with so much done for us by way of benches and signage, will make this a very cost effective event for us.”
Other names confirmed for the Green Heart include Gardeners Kitchen, New Leaf Plants, Kilworth Conifers, Gedney Bulbs, Golden Grove Nurseries, John Woods Nurseries, Lovania Nurseries, Hawkesmill Nurseries, Garden Centre Fresh, Chapel Cottage Plants, Chamberlin Nurseries, Viking Nurseries, Morley Nurseries, Beaver Plants, Whartons Roses and Darby Nurseries.
Peter Burks, general manager of Trelawney Garden Leisure commented: “I am a big fan of Glee and I think it is essential the industry has one big trade show that attracts as many businesses from all areas of the industry as possible. To do this it needs to have significant representation from all key areas of business, and plants is the number one. Whilst I also believe it is quite right that each sector has its own show, e.g. plants, furniture, pets etc, the overriding need for all is one major show covering everything. So I think pulling a good selection of growers back to Glee is a great move and it will certainly make it a much more enjoyable show for me as a result.”
i2i’s Matthew Mein, Glee event manager, added: “It’s great news that the Green Heart has already proven so popular. Plants are the cornerstone of the garden retail industry, and we want to recognise this by creating an area where UK growers and nurseries can showcase their 2015 ranges, whilst also giving plants unrivalled visibility at the heart of the show. I, for one, am very much looking forward to seeing the area come to life later this year.”
For Green Heart of Glee enquires contact Neil Gow direct by calling 0203 033 2497 or by emailing Neil.Gow@i2ieventsgroup.com before August 8 to avoid missing out on the full exhibition package, including a complete listing within the Glee catalogue.
