Event News

GIMA confirms unanimous support for Glee

GIMA (Garden Industry Manufacturers Association) has announced that its members have unanimously voted to confirm their support for Glee and vowed to place their full weight behind the September event both now and long into the future.

Following the GIMA Business Meeting on 7th October, seventy five attending Full Members unanimously confirmed, in a closed session, their preference for one key garden trade exhibition - Glee.  The show’s September timing, size, accessibility and facilities at the NEC, coupled with the its heritage, expertise and focus on developing a profitable, effective and valuable show for the industries it represents has cemented its position as the event for GIMA members.  

Neil Gow, Director of GIMA said: “GIMA has been a supporting trade association of Glee for many years, and having consulted with our members in a democratic process we have reconfirmed our commitment to this event.  Our members have given a clear mandate for one, effective trade exhibition where both supplier budgets and buyer’s time can be put to best effect.  In other words, Glee is the show for us.  It’s Glee that is the right show at the right time to fit production and buying cycles, and it is in the right place.

“Our industry has had a tough few years, primarily thanks to the weather and the economic situation, however as Glee 2009 clearly proved it can adapt to these changes.  But importantly, Glee also has critical mass, great networking opportunities, and a proven track record as the strongest show of its kind and that is what our industry needs. We have talked to many of the suppliers who exhibited at this year’s show, and some of those who didn’t. We have also used our detailed industry knowledge and network to feel the pulse of buyers and exhibitors who are united in their view.”

Glee show director Daniel Thurlow added: “We are delighted to have GIMA’s exclusive support, as well as the positive feedback of so many exhibitors and buyers since September.  There are many common goals between Glee and GIMA and we will continue working together closely to deliver a show that works hard for the industry, as well as ultimately channelling energies towards getting the public gardening.  Brands and buyers alike see the business sense of ‘one show, one industry’ and more people are backing that proposition every day.”

GIMA member Westland Horticulture, who were represented at the Business Meeting by their sales manager Ken Evans, echoes the views of both Neil Gow and Glee show director, Daniel Thurlow. He said:   “Westland believe that Glee should be the premier gardening show in Europe, our main concern with the possibility of having two shows is that the industry should be pulling together not fragmenting, especially in times of difficult trading. Glee in our opinion has the best venue and facilities to put on a show of this calibre. Glee are working harder to make the show more affordable and support exhibitors  to improve the return on their investment in attending and hopefully by doing this, it will entice back the companies that have moved away from the show . The retailers we have spoken to also want a strong Glee but have to do their bit to support the manufacturers that invest in the event.”

GIMA represents suppliers to the garden retail industry from all supply sectors including gifts, compost, plants, indoor and outdoor furniture, machinery and foodstuffs. The membership includes the biggest names and brands of UK and EU based companies, as well as very many smaller businesses, and represents the major share of all the key sectors in the market. The combined total turnover of members' businesses at retail selling level is now in excess of £1.5 billion annually.  For more information visit www.gima.org.uk  or email info@gima.org.uk

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