A member of the leadership team at Google’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) HQ in Dublin will be speaking at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Conference at Carden Park Chester (January 26, 2026).

Edoardo Bortolato, who heads Google’s Large Customer Sales Team for Italy, Spain and Portugal, is speaking at the GCA’s 60th anniversary year event in a personal capacity about AI.

GCA Chairman Elect and Operations Director of Haskins Garden Centres, Ben Harrison explains: “We’re delighted that Edoardo has taken time out of his busy schedule to be able to join us on Monday, January 26 to give delegates some useful pointers. He will be speaking on how AI could help improve the efficiency of our businesses and/or improve the customer journey.

“I would like to stress that Edoardo is joining us outside of his work remit and will not be representing Google’s point of view on this topic but will be bringing his personal opinions and vast experience to the podium for his talk.”

Prior to joining Google in 2018, he collected extensive international experience from roles at BCG in Italy and the Middle East, as well as Tesco in the UK and STMicroelectronics in Italy and Japan, spanning sales, business development and strategy.

Beyond his corporate career, Edoardo is also the founder of the footwear and accessories fashion brand Bote A Mano.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO adds: “It’s a coup for us to have an internationally renown customer sales expert, who is able to speak about AI, on our roster of speakers for our 2026 Annual Conference. We’re sure Edoardo will offer lots of interesting insights and hints and tips for our members to take away and use back at their garden centres after the event.

“To find out more and to book tickets, please visit the conference pages in the members’ section of our website or go directly to https://gca.digitickets.co.uk/. For any further queries, please contact the dedicated conference email: conference@gca.org.uk. If non-members are interested in joining us to attend the event, please email info@gca.org.uk.”

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

The 2026 GCA Conference takes place at Carden Park Chester from January 25 until 28.

For further information and to book tickets for the 2026 GCA Conference, please visit www.gca.org.uk.