As Glee celebrates 50 years, members of the industry and GTN readers over the past four months have been nominating their suggestions for Glee's 50 Year Hero's. Now, the nomination lists are closed and open for voting by GTN and Glee Daily News readers until midnight on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 with the results being announced at 5:00pm on The Stage at Glee on Tuesday 10th September, just before the Glee New Product Awards.
The nominations are, in alphabetical order:
Most Influential Person of the past 50 years
- John Ashley
- Edward Conroy
- Brian Evans
- Warren Haskins
- Nigel Long
- Nicholas Marshall
- Paris Natar
- Caroline Owen
- John Ravenscroft
- Alan Roper
- Norman Sellers
- Glen Sheldrake
- John Stanley
- Guy Topping
The Character of Glee's 50 years
- Sue Allen
- Derek Bunker
- Nick Davies
- Michelle de Lavis-Trafford
- Boyd Douglas-Davies
- Jackie Eades
- Simon Fox
- Anthony Harker
- Stuart Kitchen
- George Mold
- Nick Page
- Nigel Poyner
- Peter Seabrook
- Geoff Wooldridge
Hero Product of the past 50 years
- Drip Feeders
- Garden Solar Lights
- Gardman Wild Bird Care
- Harmony Gardens MP Compost
- Hozelock Connector System
- Kelkay bagged aggregates and POS
- Lotus Pebble Pool
- Miracle Gro
- Slug Gone – Wool slug pellets
- The first Gro-Bag launched by Fisons
- VegTrug
- Wildlife World Solitary Bee Hotel
- Wood Pellet BBQ grills
Hero Plant of the past 50 years
- Astrantia
- Choisya 'Sundance'
- Hebes
- Hydrangeas
- Kinder Plants
- Pre-Packed Flower bulbs
- Scabious Butterfly Blue
- Spirea Walbertons Magic Carpet
- Surfinia Petunias
Voting closes at midnight on Tuesday 3rd September and the results will be announced at Glee 2024, on The Stage at 5:00pm, Tuesday 10th September.
Glee takes place at the NEC in Birmingham, Tuesday 10th to Thursday 12th September 2024. www.gleebirmingham.com
As the Glee exhibition gets set to celebrate half a century at the heart of the garden retail sector, the organising team is looking for your input. In the past 50 years, Glee has seen thousands of exhibitors and visitors pass through its doors, with hundreds of thousands of new products launched since the show’s humble beginnings in 1974. To celebrate the newness and passion that have shaped Glee and the broader garden centre market during this time, the hunt is now on to find the people and product that have driven the most change over the past five decades.
Whether advocating for sustainability or using their influence to increase the reach of horticulture, many diverse people have left their mark on the world of garden retail. They might be suppliers, retailers, industry pundits, or those who have undertaken roles across the full spectrum. Whatever their role, all of them have been integral to Glee's growth, and their work has helped maintain gardening as one of the nation's best-loved pastimes.
Or perhaps the best memories of Glee involve a larger-than-life character. This person may play a starring role in Glee’s memoirs, providing endless smiles, friendly advice and happy recollections from those that knew them pacing the aisles of shows gone by.
Like the people who create them, gardening products have also generated pivotal moments of change. From finally tackling an age-old problem, formulating an innovative bestseller opportunity, opening a meaningful dialogue about gardening's impact on the planet, or simply using technology to make gardening more accessible for the modern consumer, there have been many hero products over the past half century.
Now is the time for Glee's audience to vote for their own heroes and celebrate the people and product they think have had the most impact on Glee's future and that of the garden retail sector.
Matthew Mein, Event Director at Glee, said: "The gardening world has changed so much from the early 70s, with each decade ringing in exciting new trends and innovation. Throughout all of this, Glee has maintained a constant presence, year-after-year providing a place where the garden retail sector can come together to inspire, network and educate. Now, we want to celebrate those who have left a mark in a fun and reflective look back on Glee's half-century. We're excited to see the nominations, find out the eventual winners, and are prepared for a tidal wave of nostalgia and questionable haircuts!"
How to vote:
Working in partnership with Glee's media partner, Garden Trade News, voting starts on Tuesday 20th August via GTN Xtra and Glee Daily News and closes at midnight on Tuesday 3rd September 2024.
Glee connects the garden industry to inspire change, drive growth, and promote innovation. To find out more or to register your interest in exhibiting, please visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call +44 (0)203 3545 9752.
