International and UK retailers who want to expand their knowledge of the garden market, experience retail best practice and gather product inspiration and innovation are urged to secure their place on Glee’s new educational feature – the Pre-Event Study Tour.
This new initiative has been designed to demonstrate retail best practice showcasing products throughout the heart of central England.
Taking place from Friday until Monday, September 12-15, and including unrivalled access to i2i Event’s annual Glee exhibition (September 14-16, NEC Birmingham), the study tour will be a must-attend event for a wide range of retailers, from the traditional to mail order and online businesses.
Combining trips to market leading garden retail outlets including multiple chain operators, ‘shed’ outlets such as DIY and garden retailers, plus the award-winning Planters Garden Centre and the independent, family run Pacific Nurseries, delegates will also have money-can’t-buy access to a leading business development expert.
Neil Gow, Glee’s special project manager, said: “Delegates taking part in the pre-Glee tour will gain valuable insights into a cross section of UK garden retailers and the products and services they offer from catering to composts. Spaces are limited so we urge interested parties from both the UK and abroad to book their place now to avoid missing out.”
In addition to the programme of tours and educational workshops, delegates will also be able to access over 500 exhibitors, launching thousands of new products and innovations at Glee. Access to the show will be available to all those taking part, including a hosted tour on day one (Sunday, September 14), which will help delegates get to grips with Glee’s new-for-2014 layout as well as optimise its educational and inspirational content. A second day of access to Glee will round off the tour.
i2i’s Matthew Mein, Glee event manager, said: “This is the first year that we have run the Pre-Event Study Tour and we’ve no doubt it’ll pay dividends for those that attend. The programme has been designed to pack in as much as possible, combining visits to top local retailers with evening workshops and networking opportunities, and even more excitingly, access to Glee.
"Together this will arm all delegates with a wealth of valuable information – from market insight and retail best practice, to product inspiration, innovative thinking and profit boosting opportunities – all things that will help them to develop their business ahead of the 2015 season. I look forward to welcoming the tour to Glee later this year.”
The Glee pre-event Study Tour schedule:
Day 1: Friday 12th Sept 2014
- Meet at Birmingham International Airport
- Hosted tour of a variety of British garden retail outlets
- Overnight accommodation within the 4* The Manor at Meriden hotel
- After-dinner presentation from UK Garden Retail Market
Day 2: Saturday 13th Sept 2014
- After a hearty English breakfast depart for a full day tour of a variety of garden retail outlets in the region
- Return to hotel for dinner and evening presentation entitled ‘How to buy and from whom’
Day 3: Sunday 14th Sept 2014
- Travel to day one of Glee 2014, including a hosted tour of the show, and later free time to enjoy the show
- Enjoy an evening of networking with industry colleagues at the Glee Garden Party
- Return to hotel for evening of relaxation, review and further networking
Day 4: Monday 15th Sept 2014
- Enjoy another day at Glee 2014
Delegates have the opportunity to book further nights’ accommodation at the preferential rate at the hotel for those who want to spend longer at Glee and have further meetings with potential suppliers.
Each place on the Pre-Event Study Tour costs just £480 (+VAT) including accommodation. To book your place please contact Neil Gow directly, either by emailing neil.gow@i2ieventsgroup.com or by telephone on +44 (0) 7812 031281.
Find out more
Glee - organised by i2i Events Group - is the UK’s leading garden trade buying event, and the only one to bring the whole industry together under one roof. Built on the themes of ‘Discover, Network, Grow’, Glee 2014 will be the 40th successful year for the show. In 2014 Glee enters a new era as it moves to a new location within the NEC’s Halls 17 – 20; creating a host of fresh indoor and outdoor exhibiting, feature and visitor opportunities that meet the buying and selling needs of the modern garden retail industry.
Further details about Glee 2014, including a wealth of additional brands confirming their support for the show, will be announced soon. For exhibiting information, call 0203 033 2160, and to find out the latest show news log onto www.gleebirmingham.com.
