Our GCA Trust has announced this month
(March, 2017) that not one but two candidates this year will go to the
International Garden Centre Association (IGCA) Congress.
The Trust recently invited applications
from employees of member garden centres to receive a sponsored place at the
IGCA in September.
Sue Allen, Trust Chairman said: “Eight candidates applied and all were of
exceptionally high standard, making the choice very hard for the Trustees, to
the point where they decided for the first time to send two lucky delegates to
the IGCA, which will be held this year in the Niagara Falls region of Canada.
I’m delighted to reveal that Zoe Willis of Perrywood Garden Centre and Liz
Dowling of Millbrook Garden Centre were both selected.
“As a regular attendee of the IGCA Congress
for many years, I appreciate just how much can be gained from the experience,
not just in learning about how garden retailers in other countries respond to
challenges in their own market place, but also in meeting and sharing knowledge
with delegates from the other 18 member countries.
“It continues to surprise and dismay me
when I realise how many strong members of the GCA do not take advantage of the
unique opportunity offered by the annual Congress. It is telling that all this
year’s applicants for the award came from centres who already fully appreciate
the benefits of the international organisation.
“Mark Scott from Gordale, who won the place
in 2016, can confirm that the experience was truly life-changing and his
employers Jill and Peter Nicholson were delighted to benefit from his
enthusiasm and new ideas upon his return.”
The object of the Trust is to advance
among the general public and, in particular among horticultural students,
education in horticulture, and particularly garden centres, by the provision
and administration of scholarships and bursaries, including prizes to foster
such education.
A delighted Zoe explained: “I'd just like
to say how excited I am with getting a place to go to congress, it is fantastic
opportunity.”
Zoe is now looking forward to liaising with
Liz, who is a Brand Manager at Millbrook Garden Centre, to discuss their forthcoming
trip together.
Simon
Bourne, Garden Centre Manager at Perrywood
Garden Centre, said: “We are so happy for Zoe. She loves travelling and meeting
people and is potty about plants, so we know she is going to love the Canada
trip. We can’t wait to see what she posts on social media and the ideas she
then brings back to the rest of the team. It’s an amazing opportunity - huge
thanks to the GCA Trust.”
The Trust also aims to assist horticultural
students to study, research into and gain experience of horticulture and
landscaping.
Liz, who is based at Crowborough, said: “I am so excited to have won a place on the trip to Canada,
the itinerary looks amazing and I can’t wait to go! I am looking forward to
meeting other people within the industry and seeing the garden centres and
nurseries in Canada. What a fantastic opportunity!”
