Glee will return in-person on 14th – 16th September 2021. Industry leading brands set to appear on the exhibitor line-up. Glee’s theme will be Time to Grow, reflecting the opportunities for garden retail.
After over a year away from in-person events, Hyve Group are delighted to announce that Glee will return to the NEC Birmingham from 14th – 16th September 2021. Following their Time To Grow manifesto, Glee will be designed to support the industry, helping garden retailers and brands to build on the momentum the industry has gathered over the past year.
Working in line with Hyve Group’s Safe and Secure guidelines, Glee will provide a space for Covid-safe trading, networking, inspiration and more, enabling the garden industry to gather once again.
Glee promises to provide a compelling line-up of exhibitors. Already signed up are such names as Hozelock, Ivyline, Beefeater Barbecues, Capi Europe, Woodlodge, Evergreen, Kamado Joe, Westland, Creekwood, Traeger Grills, Kaemingk, Primo Grills and many more.
Matthew Mein, Event Director for Glee commented, “We are delighted to be returning to the NEC Birmingham, doing what we do best; bringing the garden industry together at the UK's leading garden and outdoor living trade show, facilitating trade, collaboration and creativity. We’re working hard to make our in-person shows Covid-safe, in line with our Safe & Secure guidelines. On behalf of the whole Glee team, we can’t wait to welcome the industry back to Glee after such a long time apart.”
The news of Glee’s return has been welcomed by brands within the horticultural community. Mark Portman, Managing Director at Evergreen Garden Care told Glee,“Last year was a year of phenomenal change for the country and the gardening category, so it was more important than ever for us to get together for GLEE in September. Although the event was virtual for the first time in its history, it was a huge success for Evergreen Garden Care – allowing us to meet with over 250 customers, showcase our NPD for the 2021 season and catch up with the rest of the gardening industry. More than 2.7 million new households entered the gardening category last year and the industry itself went through such transformation. When garden centres were forced to close, we saw some fantastic entrepreneurial spirit allowing business’ to meet consumer needs whatever the lockdown situation. As the 2021 season begins, we are focusing on how we can encourage people to continue gardening, while supporting our customers as much as we can. We are already looking forward to GLEE 2021, where it will be exciting to once again have the opportunity to meet and engage with our customers face to face as we prepare for the 2022 season.”
Similarly, Sarah Dixon, UK and International Marketing Manager for Hozelock said, “Hozelock are delighted to be attending Glee in 2021, after a turbulent year of unprecedented circumstances, it will be exciting to return to the NEC for some long overdue face to face meetings with our customers and new contacts alike. The gardening industry has been extremely resilient over this challenging period and we look forward to celebrating this at Glee.”
Continuing this sentiment, Vicky Nuttall, Director at GIMA told Hyve Group, “GIMA will be delighted to see the return of Glee to the NEC this September. The show is absolutely essential for facilitating trade and networking within the garden industry, as well as offering a key point of inspiration and discovery every buying season. We look forward to reconnecting with the industry this year as we all continue to rebuild and adapt following the pandemic.”
For the UK’s garden centres and retailers, the show’s return is a welcome relief, reinstating the ability to touch and feel products and discover the most exciting new brands as well as reconnect with their existing suppliers. John Bottomley at Newbank Garden Centres said, “We cannot wait to get trade shows up and running again. The return of Glee is massive for us, our business model is different to a lot of groups as between my mother Frances, my uncle Chris and myself, we do the majority of the buying for the business and we simply cannot afford to be out of the company travelling to the individual suppliers for days on end.”
Justin Williams of Fron Goch added, “I am very much looking forward to the safe return of trade shows. I believe trade shows are a crucial part in the sourcing of new suppliers and new products and with such a buoyant market at the moment, hopefully our sector is ripe for product development and investment to deliver new products.”
Derek Bunker of Alton Garden Centre also told Glee, “We definitely will be going to Glee in September. I’m looking forward to seeing the trade there and all the people that we have missed swapping stories about the amazing business that we’ve all done in the last 12 to 18 months, bragging about what we sold the most of and as usual looking for hopefully a lot of new products which have been missed out for a year and a half now.”
Glee Event Director Matthew Mein would like you to tell him how his team can improve Glee: "As we prepare for the return of Glee on 14th – 16th September, I look forward to welcoming you back to the show and hope you will join us as we reunite the community for 2021.
"Ahead of the show, we would like to find out a bit more about you and your business. We recognise that many members of the garden industry will have made significant changes to their retail operations this year, with both restrictions and opportunities arising from the pandemic. That’s why we’d like to know how we can help support you through this change. Below is a link to a short survey that gives you the opportunity to have your say on the future and how we can create the right event to suit your needs.
"It should take 10 minutes to complete and your feedback will help us shape future Glee events. As a thank you for your time, you can also enter a prize draw with the chance of winning a £100 retail voucher of your choice.*
Take the survey
"The survey will be open until 26th April 2021 and in the meantime, I look forward to reading your feedback and I hope you will join us at the NEC Birmingham for the return of Glee."
Many thanks,
Matt Mein
Glee Event Director
* Terms and Conditions apply
Here's a chance to win £100 in retail vouchers by taking part in the Glee Visitors Survey. Click here to take part.
It is with great anticipation that Hyve Group prepares for the return of Glee. Reconnecting and supporting the horticultural community is the show’s top priority moving forward, with collaboration at its heart.
Glee will return to the NEC Birmingham on 14th – 16th September 2021. Visitors and exhibitors can visit the Glee website to find out how to register their interest or apply for a stand.
