Petindex: Sunday 19 – Tuesday 21 September Glee: Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 September
It’s showtime! Get the scoop on the Glee show with our jam-packed preview.
What would September be without a good dose of the Glee show?
All eyes will be on the 2010 edition to see how it will follow on from 2009, which saw economic difficulty (like we need reminding!) and a much smaller show. Daniel Thurlow’s surprise departure as show director, to the position of Emap Connect’s sponsorship director, only a few months before the launch certainly raised a few eyebrows, particularly as he hasn’t been directly replaced. Instead, the show is being headed by a team of three: David Langrish as marketing manager, Nick White as operations manager and new face, Sam Mitcham as head of sales. Whilst the show director throne remains empty, the team seems to be working hard towards regaining the reputation of the King of all garden and hardware exhibitions, and indications so far suggest growth that isn’t drastic, but promising at least. Garden & Hardware News spoke to Sam to find out more about him and the plans for the show.
Congratulations on your new position! What has led you to this role? “I started my career in publishing, and have been involved in business communities such as finance, IT and HR. I then moved to take responsibility for sales at the IFSEC security portfolio, which includes the UK show, shows in Africa and India, two magazines (Security Management Today and Security Installer) and the website
info4security.co.uk. 10 years later and here I am!”
With no one person in charge can you clarify how the management is operating? “I’m responsible for sales at Glee and ensuring the show runs smoothly. David, Nick and I are currently sharing overall responsibility and working to build a solid management team for the future: exactly what this will look like for next year is a case of watch this space!”
What are your plans for the show and beyond 2010? “In terms of this year’s show, we are furthering the themes of Inspiration
and to keep a real community feel. As for after 2010, it’s a case of finding out what exhibitors and visitors want.”
Whatever the future holds, Glee will be the key event this year and so we bring you all the information required to prepare, and a selection of the top brands and products that will be on show. Firstly, in a Prince-style name change, the area formerly known as Glee Outdoor Living will now be known as Glee Garden Leisure and has already outsold floorspace for 2009. It will include garden furniture, barbeques, parasols, chimineas, pools, spas and play equipment, and has more than
“The show is in a similar shape to last year. It is a stable show with a core base of exhibitors. Long-term we want to keep a real community feel,“
Sam Mitcham, event manager
and Innovation. The Hothouse seminars will continue to focus on offering retailers advice on how they can improve business. The Innovators Zone is back after its launch last year and will offer new products at a glance. Overall the show is in a similar shape to last year; it is in the same halls but bigger in terms of space taken. It’s a stable show with a core base of exhibitors. Long-term we are focusing on continuing this stability and ensuring the show offers something for both exhibitors and visitors alike. We want the involvement of industry associations
60 brands confirmed. Returning for a second year, the Innovators Zone will showcase innovation from entrepreneurs and small-scale manufacturers making their debut at the show. Glee New Product areas will collate hundreds of new products across two dedicated stands: one for garden and one for pets & aquatics. Products will also be entered into the New Product awards. The Hothouse will see industry gurus such as John Stanley and The Gardenworks team discussing issues including how to make garden centre events successful,
By Naomi Davis
maximising grow-your-own and team training in 30 minutes. It will also host the Garden Retail Top 100 Garden Centre event, in which a panel will focus on garden centres that have excelled, offering advice on how to repeat this success in 2011. Pet product buyers will be able to take advantage of the dedicated Petindex Pet Care Trust Seminar Theatre, a programme of seminars in association with The Pet Care Trade Association which will offer hints, tips and demonstrations. ‘Off the shelf’ will help
inspire, with a series of displays demonstrating ideas for merchandising notoriously difficult products. Standard displays will stand alongside inventive displays helping illustrate the difference that creative thinking can make.
Glee will take place at the NEC on September 21-22. See some of the top brands and products over the next few pages! Visit
ww.gleebirmingham.com for further information on the show
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