As we start to consider who might be crowned a GIMA award winner this year, the judging panel with the hard job of choosing the deserving brands has now been confirmed.

Once again, GIMA has secured an impressive line-up of judges, with garden centre and multiple retailer representatives, trend experts, leading buyers, plus trade and consumer editors bringing their experience to the role. Confirmed judges are Gary Carvosso, Coolings Garden Centre; Shelley Bou Chrouch, Scarlet Opus; Mairi Devlin, B&Q; Ian Hodgson, Garden News; Trevor Pfeiffer, Garden Trade News; Michelle de Lavis-Trafford, Choice Marketing; Nicola Pugh, Pugh’s Garden Centre; Nicola Seagar, Primrose; and Tristan Sissons, Hillier Garden Centres.

This year’s judging will take place on July 12th at Warwick Racecourse, with entrants invited to set-up their products on July 11th. The event itself – set to be another sell-out evening – will take place on Thursday 19th October at the five-star Celtic Manor Resort.

Time is running out to enter!

Of course, judges need things to judge! This year the deadline for entry into the GIMA Awards is June 2nd. With 13 product and marketing categories, plus an HTA sponsored Sustainability Award (including a Sustainability Champion for each product category), the Gardenex Export Achievement Award, plus the GCA sponsored Supplier of the Year and, the one that all entrants hope to win, the GIMA Sword of Excellence, there is plenty of opportunities for suppliers to get involved in the event that has helped put a lot of brands on the map.

To enter this year’s GIMA Awards, please visit www.gima.org.uk/events/gima-awards-gala-evening/

Book your place now

Following on from two sell out events, GIMA is urging interested parties to secure their tickets for the 2023 event now to avoid disappointment.

Prices for GIMA members: £339 + VAT per person, or £3,199 + VAT for a table of 10, whilst non-member costs are: Non-Members:  £409 + VAT per person, or £3,899 + VAT for a table of 10 (all costs include dinner and accommodation).

There are also several sponsorship opportunities available, including category sponsorship, table and drinks sponsors, table centres plus many more. To find out more, please contact the GIMA team directly for more information.

Find out more

For further information about GIMA and its wide range of member benefits, please contact the GIMA Press Office on (01959) 564947 or info@gima.org.uk