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The most prestigious awards in the gardening industry
The GIMA Awards are recognised as the most prestigious in the industry. When you enter company reception areas and board rooms across the country you will see GIMA Award certificates proudly displayed, often going back a number of years. That alone is testament to the value manufacturers and suppliers place on winning a GIMA award...
The GIMA Awards are recognised as the most prestigious in the industry. When you enter company reception areas and board rooms across the country you will see GIMA Award certificates proudly displayed, often going back a number of years. That alone is testament to the value manufacturers and suppliers place on winning a GIMA award.
While winning matters, of course it does, the value of entering the GIMA Awards comes from the totally robust but transparent judging system that is used. This has been honed during the period these awards have been running, which is now over 25 years.
Add to this the make-up of the judging panel used each year. Leading retailers and garden writers from a complete cross section of the industry are used and this year they have approaching 200 years of experience between them. How else could you get your product under the noses of such a group of experienced and influential judges all in one place? Many suppliers see this as a benefit in itself and often listings and orders come to those whose products may not even get nominated for a GIMA.
Entering is easy and the rewards can be enormous. The glittering Awards Dinner and Presentation evening is felt by many to be one of the best industry nights of the year. Make sure you are part of the GIMA Awards 2013.
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How to enter the GIMA Awards
Entering is easy and open to all manufacturers and suppliers of product and marketing that they have created for the open market...
Entering is easy and open to all manufacturers and suppliers of product and marketing that they have created for the open market. Private label product is not eligible.
Closing date for entries is the 21st June 2013, with staging day taking place on the 1st July and judging the following day.
All the information you need is on the GIMA website (click here) but here in summary are the 5 easy steps.
1. Refer to the Awards categories and choose which category or categories you wish to enter. See http://www.gima.org.uk/GIMA_Awards_2013/2013_Categories.pdf for more information.
2. Please complete an entry form for each entry made. Please ensure that all sections of the entry form are completed. Retail prices are especially important. Make you make your payment. See http://www.gima.org.uk/GIMA_Awards_2013/2013EntryForm.pdf for more information.
3. Closing date for entries is the 21st June 2013. All entry forms need to be sent to GIMA. Email to info@gima.org.uk, post to The White House, High Street, Brasted, Kent TN16 1JE. Fax to 01959 565885.
4. Attach a copy of your entry form to your product or marketing samples. For larger items, please affix it in an envelope to the outside of the package/pallet. For smaller items, the sample can be included in the envelope with a copy of the entry form.
5. Product or marketing samples need to be sent direct to the judging venue, marked clearly: The GIMA Awards 2013 Stareton Hall, 10th Street, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LZ. For a label please visit www.gima.org.uk. All items whether sent via post or courier must arrive on Monday 1st July 2013. If you are entering larger items which you need to assemble yourself, please bring them to the venue on Monday 1st July 2013.
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Presentation evening is one of the best nights of the year
The glittering GIMA Awards Dinner and Presentation Evening has become one of the most talked about industry events of the year...
The glittering GIMA Awards Dinner and Presentation Evening has become one of the most talked about industry events of the year.
Here are some of the things that industry personalities have said about past events:
"Probably one of the best nights out of the year."
"The event just gets better year on year."
"Not just a great night out but lots of important and influential people to see and talk to."
"Coming at the end of the key spring season it is great to catch up with people."
"As a company MD who does not get out of the office enough, this is the best way I can catch up with many of my key customers all in one go."
"A night you cannot afford to miss."
You can book tickets on line by clicking here or by contacting the GIMA office on 01959 564947.
GIMA supports fund-raising efforts for charities like Greenfingers
GIMA and its members do a lot of work for charities so it was a special moment when it was announced at last year's Awards Evening that £52,341 had been raised for Greenfingers through Garden Re-Leaf Day fund-raising activities...
GIMA and its members do a lot of work for charities so it was a special moment when it was announced at last year's Awards Evening that £52,341 had been raised for Greenfingers through Garden Re-Leaf Day fund-raising activities.
In fact the Garden Re-Leaf Day was actually launched at the GIMA Awards in 2011.
GIMA also supports the efforts of Rugby for Heroes, Sporting Hearts, Gardening Leave and Headley Court.
There are many sponsorship opportunities at the GIMA Awards where companies can get their brands and messages in front of leading industry figures...
If you would like to explore sponsorship further email neilgow@gima.org.uk
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Mr Fothergill's win GIMA Golf Day
A team from Mr Fothergill's beat off the challenge of 16 other industry teams to take the main honours at the GIMA Golf Day at Staverton Park Golf Club near Daventry, presented to them by MP Tim Yeo...
A team from Mr Fothergill's beat off the challenge of 16 other industry teams to take the main honours at the GIMA Golf Day at Staverton Park Golf Club near Daventry.
Richard Keegan, Paul Howard, Kevin Chugg and Chris Owens showed their skills on the course to push a team from Haws (Steve Riley, Graham Blocksidge, Paul Whitnall, Cliff Bowers) into second place and Fiskars (Mark Nicholls, Tom Wiltshire, Henry Corbett, Simons Brookes) into third. The GIMA team of Andy Bestwick, Tim Yeo, Mike Klodzinski and Dave Peters came fourth.
Despite some very serious golf, the 17 teams consisting of suppliers and garden centre guests, completed the course amid much laughter and banter. Team DLF Trilfolium picked up the bogey prize for coming last.
Refreshment stops on the course were sponsored and manned by Sinclair Horticulture and Maryanne Stokes and the Garden Trade News team were on hand to snap shots of unsuspecting golfers taking their swings.
The fun day culminated in a presentation dinner and a charity auction conducted by the only MP with a single figure golf handicap, Tim Yeo.
The charities benefiting from the event are Greenfingers, who create magical gardens for children’s hospices, and Gardening Leave, who work with services personnel that have invisible wounds from conflict.
GIMA would like to thank everyone who came along and supported the event.
Winners were:
Beat The Pro (Sponsored by Whitefoot Forward PR): Spencer Goodall, James Walker, Kevin Howlett, Andy Bunker, Paul Taylor, Robin Walters, James Godber, Richard Newton, Mark Nicholls, Henry Corbett, Simon Brookes, Phil Kimberley, David White, Brian Archibald, Alison Novell, Steve Walker, Andy Bestwick, Paul Facey, Adrian Hillman.
Nearest the pin (Sponsors Gardman, Scotts Flower Magic, Whitefoot Forward and Norfolk Leisure): Alison Novell, Dave Peters, Richard Newton, Richard Keegan.
Longest drive (Sponsors Luxform, Elho): James Coles, Chris Owen.
Straightest drive (Sponsor Sutton Seeds): Kevin Howlett.
View the picture gallery below to see all the teams, the action, the sponsors and the presentations.
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Awards give winners a massive boost
Solus Garden & Leisure won the Supplier of the Year category at the GIMA Awards in 2012. “It gave everyone, from our drivers to the office staff, a massive boost,” said Nick Davies.
Solus Garden & Leisure won the Supplier of the Year category at the GIMA Awards in 2012. “It gave everyone, from our drivers to the office staff, a massive boost,” said Nick Davies.
“Winning the award was a combined team effort, and it is something we’re very proud of. We have used the accolade in a lot of our sales and marketing material because we felt it was important, and we wanted to tell people about it.”
Roundup Gel was a multi-award winner at the GIMA Awards, and capped an amazing year for the bestselling product. Gary Philpotts says: “These Awards are impressive because they are judged by your trade customers and peers – you can’t get a better endorsement than that. The Gel product has just been amazing and the awards it picked up were just amazing. As a result we received tremendous coverage in the media, giving Roundup Gel even more great exposure. It was good to know the trade appreciated and understood what we were trying to do with this product.”
Bosmere won the Garden Related Products category with their Winter Salt Spreader and Steve Millngton said: “We were really pleased to have won the award, especially as it was such a competitive category with a high number of entries. The recognition helped our marketing campaign for Autumn and Winter, and we have seen a marked increase in sales of the product. Mind you, it has also benefitted from such a hard winter. But it was fantastic to receive the accolade from such a recognised body in the industry.”
Thompson & Morgan have won many awards in the past and have always tried to incorporate any accolade in their marketing campaigns. Last year their RHS Superseeds for Greenfingered Kids were a finalist in the Plants, Seeds & Bulbs category. Neil Sharpe said: “To be recognised at the GIMA Awards can have a real benefit to a winning product. It’s such a great event because it recognises something
that’s new, innovative and different. We will definitely be entering this year.”
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Impressive judging panel
GIMA has pulled together an impressive list of judges for this year's awards, including Mike Wyatt, the editor of Garden Trade News...
GIMA has pulled together an impressive list of judges for this year's awards, including Mike Wyatt, the editor of Garden Trade News.
Here is the full list of judges:
Andy Smith
Garden Plant Buyer, Waitrose
New responsibilities for the latest entrant to the garden retail market, Andy is looking forward to using his many years experience built up working for growers and retailers from the independent to the chains. Having a reputation for quality and value and with the Waitrose Way championing British production the opportunities opening up are enormous.
Conna Powles
Buying Director Haskins Garden Centres
Following 6 years with the Hobbycraft, Conna has responsibility for all the buying decisions for the £30million+ turnover across the garden centre group. She has previous experience in buying roles with Sainbury’s based in London and Beales Department Store.
Gareth Evans
Aquatic, Pet and Fisheries Manager, Burston Garden Centre
With many years retail experience in the garden, aquatic and pet industries, Gareth believes that the modern Garden Centre offers a fantastic shopping experience for customers and a great sales channel for a diverse range of quality products.
Jo Wood
Associate Buyer QVC: Garden, DIY, Security and Petcare
Having worked in buying at QVC for over 5 years across different product categories with suppliers in US, Europe and the Far East to source, design and select the best range of products to maximise our sales in everything gardening and leisure. Recently we have expanded into new categories including bird and pet care.
Mike Wyatt
Editor, Garden Trade News
Working in garden publishing for 32 years – 11 years editing a string of consumer gardening magazines and the past 21 years as Editor of Garden Trade News the industries monthly he knows a lot! An enthusiastic gardener, a self-confessed plantaholic, a beekeeper and he retains a fervent belief in the potential of suppliers and retailers to shape the nation’s gardening habits through the products they sell.
Peter Burks
Chairman, The Garden Centre Association
Peter has been in the garden retail sector most of his working life managing centres in both the independent and group sectors. As Chairman Peter is seeing a wide cross section of business and has a great knowledge of what is ‘on trend’.
Phillippa Nickson
Gardening and Season Buyer for British Garden Centres
Experienced in buying across a number of categories including Christmas and Giftware, with more recent experience in Gardening, Birdcare and Pet. 15 years hands on experience in General Management across the growing British Garden Centres group, now numbering 8, Phillippa has a great deal of experience with both the product, pricing and customer requirements.
Simon Moore
Gardening Buyer, Wilkinsons Stores
Responsible for a product category that generates turnover in excess of £130 million a year. With 12 years experience in this role Simon has a great deal of experience in terms of new product development, trends and pricing appeal.
Tim Rumball
Editor, Amateur Gardening Magazine
Tim's been gardening for over thirty years yet his trade is as a journalist, with a background in local and national newspapers including the Daily Star and the Sunday Mirror, and now Amateur Gardening, Britain’s biggest selling weekly gardening title.
Tristan Sissons
Gardencare Buyer, The Garden Centre Group
Responsible for the largest buying category in the group. With experience in out of town, high street and destination retailers he understands the different approaches required for each of these channels and with a keen understanding of product pricing, display, presentation and promotion.
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