This year’s GIMA Awards judging panel reached their verdicts earlier this week. The results stay securely under wraps until the GIMA Awards Presentation Evening and Gala Dinner on Thursday 18 July at The Queen’s hotel in Leeds, when all will be revealed by host Gyles Brandreth, well known for his wit and humour on many TV and radio programmes including the One Show.
The judging was carried out in 8 product and 3 marketing categories with the best of the best being awarded the ultimate accolade of the GIMA Sword of Excellence.
GIMA Awards Director Neil Gow said: “The judges were very complimentary about the number and quality of entries this year, and having been involved myself with the Awards over many years I think they had perhaps the hardest job ever as there were many very credible entries. Every category was well represented and there were a number of potential winners in each that the judges had to sort through. However, the Sword this year is going to go to perhaps what some will regard as a predictable winner. The product does tick all the boxes, setting a new benchmark in innovation.”
The Awards evening, for which there are still some tickets available, is regarded by many as ‘the party of the year’. There is good food, enough to drink, some great entertainment and of course that all important revelation of the finalists and winners in each of the categories. Because of the sheer numbers that attend, the whole garden retail industry is represented and therefore it is also the networking opportunity of the year. In addition, the Export Achievement award is announced on the evening and the much coveted Supplier of the Year as voted for by GCA Members. Members who have not yet voted can email the name of the supplier they want to nominate to neilgow@gima.org.uk. Closing date for this is Friday 12th July, so please do it today.
You will find full details on the GIMA website by clicking http://www.gima.org.uk/awards_2013.asp?Page_ID=28 where you can also book you places at the dinner, or email Awards Director Neil Gow at neilgow@gima.org.uk
