THE Garden Centre Association has secured Evergreen Garden Care as its first headline sponsor for its 60th anniversary year annual conference taking place in January (January 25-28, 2026).
Evergreen Garden Care has also pledged to sponsor one of the main keynote speakers for the event – retail guru, businesswoman, broadcaster, author and activist Mary Portas OBE.
GCA Chief Executive Peter Burks says: “Evergreen Garden Care is a major and well-respected supplier to many of our member garden centres and is trusted by our industry to deliver products that work for gardeners, so we’re delighted the team has agreed to play such a central role in our event again this year.
“If any other companies from the sector would still like to get involved, please get in touch with me via Peter@gca.org.uk. We have so far had a great take up for sponsorship for our 2026 annual conference, which promises to be an extra special event, as we’re celebrating our 60th anniversary as an organisation next year too.
“So far, and it is still very early days for bookings, we’ve had more early bird delegates than normal and anticipate seeing more than 400 members, who are key decision makers in their businesses, across the three days.”
The conference also includes the body’s annual award presentations and feedback from its inspectors, as well as a plethora of industry relevant guest speakers.
The 2026 GCA Conference has ‘Growing a Better Future’, with a focus on profitability, sustainability and innovation in the industry, as its main theme.
GCA Chairman Elect and Operations Director of Haskins Garden Centres, Ben Harrison, who is organising the conference with Peter and will take over the Chairman role from Will Blake in 2026, explains: “We’ve some brilliant speakers booked for 2026, which we’ll be revealing this autumn and in up run to Christmas. So far, we’ve unveiled Mary Portas as one of our keynote speakers and are looking forward to hearing her from her with regards retail trends from across the whole retail sector. We’re delighted Evergreen Garden Care has agreed to sponsor her too.
“All of the elements we’re bringing together will help create an excellent event with some great opportunities for everyone to get together to share best practice and to socialise as well.”
The GCA’s 2026 annual conference is at the Carden Park Chester and Mary Portas will take to the stage on Tuesday, January 27 (January 25-28, 2026).
Colin Stephens, Managing Director, Evergreen Garden Care UK says: “Mary Portas is an iconic and visionary voice in how to build sustainable growth with brilliant retail experiences – aligning brilliantly with Evergreen’s 2030 Category Vision to unlock long term growth in garden care. She is a powerful, inspiring speaker not to be missed.
“The GCA’s ambition and commitment to foster growth, progress and set the bar for exceptional retail experiences across garden centres nationwide is both inspiring and impactful.
“Evergreen is delighted to support the Annual Conference where the highest industry standards are set and celebrated, and thought leaders bring thought provoking insight to members. We look forward to what is going to be a brilliant line up across the conference in 2026.”
