GCA 2014 conference hits all the right notes

Our annual conference has this week (January 26 – 29, 2014) been declared a huge success.

We received excellent feedback from the delegates who attended the conference from Sunday, January 26 until Wednesday, January 29 at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel.

Our Chairman and Managing Director of Armitage’s Home and Garden in West Yorkshire, Will Armitage, said: “This year’s conference has been another resounding success and it is great to hear all of the brilliant feedback from those who went along.

“The event was not only inspiring, but it was also thought provoking and I really enjoyed listening to all of the guest speakers. They gave us all some great advice to take away. Of course it was a wonderful social occasion too with members able to share their experiences with other like-minded business people.”

Award winners announced

The winners of our annual conference awards were announced this week (January 26 – 29, 2014).

The award ceremonies took place at the conference at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel on Monday, January 27 and Tuesday, January 28 and winners were presented with their prizes.

Our Chief Executive, Iain Wylie, said: “Congratulations to everyone who picked up a prize during the conference, you are all very worthy winners and have worked extremely hard during the past year.”

Garden centre team wins Greenfingers Challenge Cup

Some of our members are celebrating today after being crowned the winners in our Beach, Bingo and Boogie event, which took place on Sunday, January 26 in aid of Greenfingers.

The seaside-themed event, which raised £9,600 for Greenfingers, saw the garden centre team, the Pansies, take the winners cup.

Will Armitage, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “Our fundraising events have become a bit of a tradition now to kick off the annual conference. We really look forward to the events every year as they’re great fun to take part in.

“This year we hosted the Beach, Bingo and Boogie, which included beach games such as volleyball and cricket, followed by traditional seaside fish and chips and an evening of bingo. We rounded things off with a bit of a boogie.”

GCA conference

Our Public Relations company Porcupine PR will be running the media centre from its office during our conference from Sunday, January 26 until Wednesday, January 29 and will have a member of staff at the conference on hand to assist you should you require anything media-related at the event including photography.

If there is anything you require, please call 01278 446801 and a member of the Porcupine PR team will be able to help you. If you’re calling on Sunday, January 26 or after 6pm on a week day please call 07725 577020.

Garden centres had sparkling results with Christmas sales

Christmas shoppers headed to our member garden centres rather than the high street for their festive decorations and gifts during November and December (2013) with sales in both categories up on the same months last year.

Our Barometer of Trade (BoT) figures revealed Christmas sales were up by 12.57% in November and 5.95% in December compared to the previous year.

Our Chairman, Peter Burks, explained: “Sales of gifts during November were up 8.14% compared to the previous year and December gift sales were up 5.58% on 2012.

“It’s encouraging to see more people preparing for Christmas by visiting garden centres in their areas instead of high streets to pick up essentials.”

Expanded Rising Star programme to launch at GCA conference

Our innovative Rising Stars programme sponsored by Westland Horticulture will be expanded further this year (2014) due to its successes in 2013.

We will unveil our plans for the coming year at our annual conference, which takes place from January 26 until 29 in Blackpool.

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive, said: “Our innovative Rising Stars programme has had a tremendously successful year and looks set to be bigger and better in 2014.

“From discussions with Westland, we are aiming to involve a larger group to participate in the workshops throughout 2014. Our two 2013 winners will also do presentations at the event to provide an insight into all they have learnt, the benefits of entering for themselves personally and also for the garden centres where they work.”

It’s not too late to book a place for our conference

Gentle reminder – it’s not too late to book for our annual conference later this month (January 26 – 29, 2014).

Our conference, which will include talks, industry updates and opportunities to socialise, takes place from January 26 until 29, 2014 at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel.

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive, said: “We wanted to let people know it’s not too late to book for our conference, so if you are hoping to attend, please visit the members’ section of our website via www.gca.org.uk to book your place.

Garden centres invited to compete for Worrall Cup

We’re inviting our members to put their marketing campaigns to the test and compete for a chance to win the Worrall Cup.

We’re looking for the garden centre that has come up with the best, most inspiring marketing campaign or initiative. We want our members to show flair and creativity and most importantly inspire others to follow suit.

People can request a form via info@gca.org.uk or download one from www.gca.org.uk.

Entries can be submitted via post to Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, at Horticulture House, 19 High Street, Theale, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 5AH or via email at info@gca.org.uk. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday, January 17.

Christmas display competition winners announced

Bents and Castle Gardens have recently been announced as the winners of our prestigious annual Christmas display competition.

The garden centres were judged to have the best Christmas displays in the UK by our Chairman Peter Burks and will be presented with their awards at our annual conference (January 26 until 29, 2014).