The Garden Centre Association has launched its 2017 Worrall Cup marketing competition, which is now open for entries.

The garden centre with the best marketing campaign or initiative will be announced during the GCA's annual conference in Stratford-upon-Avon (Crowne Plaza Hotel, 21-24 January 2018).

GCA chief executive Iain Wylie said both flair and commercial success would be rewarded. “We're searching for the garden centre that has developed the most creative marketing campaign in the past 12 months. We want to see creative initiatives that inspire other members to follow suit.”

Entries will be judged by an experienced independent panel. Unlike other GCA awards, the Worrall Cup is not influenced by the annual inspection, so all entries have an equal chance.

Members are asked to complete a short form (which can be downloaded from www.gca.org.uk or requested by email to be returned to the GCA office by 5pm on Monday15 January.

The submission of supporting material, such as photographs, print examples and web-links is encouraged. An additional sheet of written detail is acceptable. Entries can be sent electronically via email or by post.

The winner will be announced at the annual dinner and awards ceremony on the evening of Tuesday 23.

Pictured: (From left to right) The 2016-2017 Worrall Cup winners' were The Gardens Group. Directors Michael and Louise Burks accept their award from Julian Winfield, GCA chairman, and the award evening compere, radio and TV comedian Fred MacAulay, at the 2017 GCA Annual Conference in Scotland.