The recognised leading product and marketing awards for the garden retail product supply sector organised by trade association GIMA, were launched last month with eight product, four marketing and two special award categories including export achievement.
Last week a further three, members of the elite judging panel were announced. Andy Smith the new garden plant buyer at emerging garden product retailer Waitrose, Tristan Sissons Gardencare buyer for the Garden Centre Group and Gareth Evans from Burston Garden Centre in Hertfordshire.
They are join the existing line up of:
- Conna Powles, Buying Director, Haskins Garden centres
- Simon Moore, Head of Garden Buying, Wilkinson Stores
- Tim Rumbold, Editor Amateur Gardening magazine
- Mike Wyatt, Editor Garden Trade News
- Peter Burks, Chairman of the Garden Centre Association
- Jo Wood, Garden, DIY and Security Buyer at QVC
They will be tasked with judging products in the following categories:
- Garden Care Products
- Growing and Planting Equipment and Sundries
- Tools, Machinery and Implements
- Outdoor Leisure, Garden Structures and Features
- Plants Seeds and Bulbs
- Garden Landscaping
- Garden Retail Related Products
- Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care
- Point of Sale Material
- Consumer Product Packaging
- Marketing Communication
Entry to the Awards is open to all suppliers of new product or marketing launched between June 2012 and may 2013.
Closing date for entries to this years GIMA awards is the 21st June and the winners will be announced at the glittering Gala Dinner and Presentation Evening at the Queens Hotel Leeds on the 18th July.
Further details are available on the special section of the GIMA website at http://www.gima.org.uk/awards_2013.asp?Page_ID=28
