General FAQs

What is Glee?

Glee is the most important event of the year for the gardening community, presenting the most exciting brands, innovative products and inspiring garden retail insights. As the International Festival of Garden, Leisure and Pet, we bring the whole gardening industry under one roof, creating a central hub for face-to-face trading, networking and new ideas. 

Our 10 sectors include DIY, Food & Catering, Garden Care, Home, Gift & Clothing, Landscaping & Garden Decoration, Outdoor Entertaining, PAW, Plants, Retail Experience, and Sourcing.

What is a trade show?

At a trade show, exhibitors showcase their products and services, offering these at wholesale cost to visitors. This means that products are sold in bulk, and at a lower price than the RRP. Visitors (retailers) are then able to sell these products on in their stores. As a trade show, Glee is a hub for face-to-face trading and networking. Find out more about visiting or exhibiting at Glee.

What are show dates & opening times?

Tuesday 10 September 2024 | 9:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 11 September 2024 | 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 12 September 2024 | 09:00 - 16:00

Where does the show take place?

NEC Birmingham
North Ave, Marston Green
Birmingham
B40 1NT

To start planning your visit, click here.

Can I apply to speak at the event?

If you're interested in becoming a speaker at Glee, you can find the benefits of becoming a speaker, and application form here. Our content team will then be in touch.

Visitor FAQs

Who can attend?

Glee is a trade fair; and therefore is open to traders. Our ticket types include retailers, landscape designers, interior designers & architects, pet services, wholesales & distributors, manufacturers, media, and general attendees for those outside of these categories. 

Is the show free to attend?

Yes, Glee is free to attend. Register your interest to attend Glee 2024 and you'll be first to hear when visitor registration opens.

Are seminars free to attend?

Yes, all of our seminars are free to attend, and you can attend as many as you'd like. Our full seminar schedule for 2024 will be available closer to the event, or to see our seminar schedule from 2023, click here.

Can I watch the seminar sessions after the show?

Our content will be available on-demand after the show finishes. More information on this will be available closer to the show.

Can I bring children?

We welcome children of any age as long as they are accompanied by somebody over the age of 18. Please note that all visitors will need to register via the normal registration process, however children under the age of 18 can only register on-site.

Can I register upon arrival to the show?

We recommend registering in advance to ensure you have the smoothest possible start to the show and avoid queuing, but you can register at one of our registration desks should you need to. Register as soon as you can to receive all the latest updates on Glee.

When will I receive my entry badge?

You will receive your entry badge approximately 2 weeks before the show begins. Please ensure you check your junk folders if you haven't received your badge within this time.

Can I edit my registration details?

Yes, once you have received your confirmation email, you'll be able to access your account and update your information. Your email will provide your username and confirmation number. Once you are logged in, simply go to the 'My Info' section, to make any updates.

Is my registration for the show date specific?

Registration for Glee is non-date specific. Your entry badge allows you to attend the show on any of the open days, as many times as you'd like. To register your interest and get all of the latest show updates, click here.

How can I find my way around the show?

We will have a digital show guide with the floor plan included, which will be available closer to the event. On arrival at the show, there will also be a limited amount of show guides available, along with 'you are here' boards at each entrance to help direct you around the event.

What if I have forgotten my entry badge when I arrive to the show?

Please do make every effort to print your badge prior to your arrival at Glee. If you have forgotten or lost your entry badge, you will be able to scan your digital badge on site to reprint this, however please note that there will likely be queues.

Do we provide visitor invitation letters for visa applications?

I’m afraid it is against our company policy to issue visa request letters for visitors to our trade shows. Once you have registered via the website, you will receive a confirmation email which may be sufficient for visa application.

Exhibitor FAQs

How can I find out more about exhibiting?

If you'd like to exhibit at Glee, or find out more information about exhibiting, complete our form here, and our team will be in touch with you shortly.

Who attends Glee?

At Glee, we want to make sure you meet the buyers you want to do business with. Glee provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with highly transactional and quality buyers, attracting visitors from multiple and independent garden centres, high street and department stores, builder’s merchants, online retailers and industry professionals. To find out more about the companies you'll meet, click here.

Will I require a visa to visit the UK?

You can find out more information on whether you require a visa to visit the UK on the UK Border Agency information page here.

Venue FAQs

How do I get to the event?

We have a dedicated travel page to help you find the easiest way to get to Glee. View here.

Can I park at the venue?

Yes, all confirmed visitors and exhibitors can enjoy free parking at the NEC. Regular shuttle buses can take you from the car park to the NEC entrance. To find more information on arriving to the NEC by car, click here.

What are the accommodation options?

We've partnered with specialist accommodation agency, Event Express, to offer discounted hotel accommodation and flexible cancellation terms that you can benefit from by being a Glee attendee. To view these options, visit our accommodation page.

Is there free Wi-Fi at the venue?

Yes, the is free Wi-Fi available throughout the NEC. To connect, select 'NEC Free Wi-Fi', and complete the form, you'll then be able to access this while you're at Glee.

Can I get refreshments?

There are plenty of food and drink options available at the NEC, to find out more click here.

Is there a cloakroom?

Yes, there are cloakrooms available in the main Piazza and Atrium, close to the hall entrances. Please note that there will be a £1 charge per item, and items are left at your own risk.

Is there an ATM?

Yes, there are ATMs located within the Piazza and Atrium, however there is a usage fee to use these. You can find free ATMs at Birmingham International train station, and within Resorts World.

Are there accessible facilities at the venue?

Yes, the NEC has accessible facilities, to find out more click here to access the NEC website. 

Disabled access

Disabled parking is available by the Atrium, by Hall 16. Those drivers with an official blue badge should report to Gate 3 (for the Atrium) where they will be given the code number needed to raise the barrier.

Disabled parking is not permitted at the rear of the halls.

The NEC offers a fleet of mobility equipment available to hire on a first-come, first-serve basis. We, therefore, recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. You can email your enquiry to info@necgroup.co.uk, and a member of the team will contact you within three working days. All pre-bookings will be held until 11:00 on the day they've been booked for unless otherwise advised. For any visitors who have not pre-booked equipment and arrive on the day, any remaining stock will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wheelchairs are available free of charge for blue badge holders and £5 for all other visitors. The number of wheelchairs the NEC has available is limited, so if you’ve got your own, please bring it with you.

Scooters are available for £15 per hire for all visitors.

Equipment collection will be at the top of the stairs/ramp near Hall 5 for the Piazza, and inside Atrium 2 main entrance for the Atrium.

Please note: Mobility equipment hire is only available during show open times and the NEC only accepts payment by card for any equipment hired.