The GIMA Awards are set to return on July 12 at Celtic Manor with another glittering night of celebrations. Entry to this year’s awards is now open – with suppliers being urged to not miss out on their chance to win one of the industry’s highest accolades.

Recognising excellence and innovation across new products, marketing support and export achievements, the GIMA Awards have grown into the largest industry gathering, welcoming both retailers and suppliers from the UK garden retail sector.

This year the event will be no different, with 15 worthy winners set to be rewarded. It has also been confirmed that Glee – the leading annual trade garden and outdoor leisure exhibition – will be the headline sponsors of the 2018 GIMA Awards.

Previous winners have including Smart Garden Products, Hozelock, Westland Horticulture, Briers, Elho, Gardman, Forest Garden, Hawkesmill Nurseries and Hutton Garden Products to name but a few. Each has benefitted from the wealth of exposure that comes from being named a GIMA Award winner, including gaining access to a panel of influential industry judges, recognition in front of hundreds of industry peers, and coverage within both key trade and consumer media.

Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director said: “The GIMA Awards are very much the pinnacle of the annual event calendar and we expect the 2018 awards to continue this trend. Each year the calibre of entries continues to increase, and we are confident that those products, services and marketing support put forward for consideration in 2018 will set the benchmark even higher. Best of luck to all those that enter, and I look forward to welcoming you at the awards ceremony later this year.”

Those brands wanting to enter the 2018 GIMA Awards can do so by visiting http://gima.org.uk/gima-awards/. The closing date for entries is Friday 25th May. The same web page can also be used to book your place at the 2018 awards ceremony.

Pictured: Westland Horticulture winning the 2017 Sword of Excellence with SafeLawn.