The Garden Centre Association will have a lounge area at Glee where existing members and those interested in finding out more about the organisation can drop in.

The GCA will be in the Source Area, stand 6E10-F11, at the 50th anniversary show, which takes place at the NEC)in Birmingham from September 10 until 12.

Chief Executive at the GCA, Peter Burks, says: “Glee is one of the most important trading events in our gardening industry’s annual calendar. Nearly all our members attend it, so it’s a great place to meet and catch-up and we’d like to invite them over to our stand during the event.

“Plus, any garden centres and suppliers that are going, or exhibiting, that would like to find out about becoming a member are also very welcome to pop by for an informal, friendly chat too.

“We’ve a lounge area with tables and chairs and our Associate Member Costa Coffee will be there too, so it’s ideal for anyone keen to come and have a chat with us, and a sit down, during their visit to the event.

“Glee is not only the perfect place for garden centres to find out all the horticultural news, see the latest products on offer, meet suppliers old and new and source exciting new supply partners, but it also represents a great opportunity for us all to network.

“I will be attending, along with our Garden Retail Online Workshops (GROW) e-Learning platform Instructional Designer, Antony Snow and GCA Executive Assistant, Laura Smith, and we look forward to catching up with as many members as possible and meeting those who might be keen to join us too.”

Hundreds of brands will be at Glee this year including new suppliers and some never seen before at the show.

Thousands of new products launch exclusively there every year, from new compost compositions to decorative aggregates, the latest plant varieties, decking, fencing, garden décor, pots, sculptures and statues.

Plus, Glee is THE place to find out about all the latest industry trends.

Peter continues: “We’re also looking forward to seeing the Glee Talent Store finalists’ pop-up store designs, which will be at the show too. This was a joint initiative we hosted with the Glee Talent Store team.

“Well done to everyone from all the garden centres who participated and to those who have been selected to have their designs displayed at Glee. It’s a wonderful achievement. Our Westland Horticulture-sponsored Rising Stars participants will be meeting up at Glee as part of their programme of activities too.”

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.

For further information about the GCA, please visit www.gca.org.uk and for Glee visit www.gleebirmingham.com.