The Garden Centre Association is inviting businesses across the horticultural and retail sectors to explore sponsorship opportunities for its 2027 annual conference, taking place from January 24–27.
The prestigious event at the Crowne Plaza, Stratford-upon-Avon will once again bring together key decision makers from leading garden centres across the UK, offering sponsors valuable exposure within the industry.
Peter Burks, Chief Executive of the GCA, says: “Following continued strong interest in our annual conference, we are pleased to offer a broad variety of sponsorship opportunities for 2027. These range from headline and day sponsorships through to supporting elements such as refreshments, delegate materials, guest speakers and our popular awards and competitions.
“More than 400 delegates are expected to join us across the two days and our conference provides an ideal platform for sponsors to engage directly with owners, directors and senior managers, all key decision-makers, from garden centres nationwide. It’s also a fantastic environment to build relationships and showcase products and services to a highly relevant audience.”
Available sponsorship options include secondary sponsorship packages, day sponsorship, tea and coffee break sponsorship, delegate materials such as pens, speaker sponsorship, as well as awards and competition sponsorship.
A key highlight of the conference is the GCA awards programme, which celebrates excellence across the sector, with businesses able to align their brand with categories including the Customer Service Award, Ruxley Rose – Best Plant Area, Best Garden Products Retailer, Best Outdoor Living Retailer, Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer, Catering Excellence Award – Best Garden Centre Restaurant, The Paul Cooling Award for the Environment and Sustainability, The Ian Boardman Award for Best Indoor Plants Retailer, Best Food Hall/Farm Shop, Best Clothing Retailer, Best Hard Landscaping Retailer and new for 2027, the Social Media Award.
Peter continues: “Sponsorship of our awards offers a unique opportunity to associate your brand with excellence and innovation in the garden centre industry. These accolades are highly regarded, featured heavily in national trade and consumer press and widely celebrated by our members.”
The GCA has published a full sponsorship brochure outlining the available packages and benefits. Companies interested in getting involved are encouraged to review the brochure and reserve opportunities as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
The brochure can be accessed here: https://gca.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2027_SponsorshipBrochureA5.pdf
