Do you think your latest innovation has the potential to be the next ‘big thing’? Do you offer something new that has the potential to boost the profits of any garden retailer who stocks it? If any of these descriptions match a product you have introduced to the garden retail market this year, then be sure to enter it into the New Product Showcase at Glee, which takes place at the NEC on September 15-17.
Reintroduced for the 2013 show, the Glee New Products Showcase serves two very important functions. The first being that from the exhibitors' perspective, all participants enjoy the opportunity to have their latest lines displayed in an area of high buyer footfall – and the possibility of winning a prestigious award judged by recognised industry experts. And secondly, time-short buyers can see 'what's new' in a matter of minutes within two central located ‘new products hubs’ within the heart of Halls 4 and 5.
This year the showcase will feature entries from eight product categories, with winners decided by a judging panel made up of a cross-section of industry experts and retailers. Product categories include:
- Best Garden Care Product
- Best Landscaping & Garden Design Product
- Best Nursery & Planteria Product
- Best Garden Leisure Product
- Best Home, Gift & Clothing Product
- Best Retail Support Product
- Best Pet Product
Judging will take place during build-up of the show, and on the opening day the winners of each category will be awarded with the highly coveted titles of ‘best in category’ at a special ceremony on-stand at the Glee New Product Showcase Hubs.
Entry into the Glee New Products Showcase is now open, and is completely free of charge to all exhibitors. To enter, simply download the entry form from the Exhibitor Manual (online at gleebirmingham.com), and ensure that your completed form is submitted by August 30.
i2i’s Matthew Mein, Glee event manager, said: “Following significant industry feedback since the close of Glee 2012, it became apparent that the industry wants and needs a dedicated new product showcase at the show, in order to better source and celebrate the wealth of innovation throughout the industry. The Glee New Products Showcase is always an exciting part of the show, and we have no doubt that reintroducing the original format will once again create a real buzz around the show. I am also particularly excited to see the results of the retailers vote. This is the first time that visitors to the show can cast their own vote, so the results will no doubt generate debate and discussion.”
Entry to Glee is free of charge to all pre-registered visitors. Simply register via the Glee website www.gleebirmingham.com/register. All pre-registered visitors will save £20 on the door, as well as receiving the Glee Buyers Guide before the show to help plan their visit.
