Described by some as the “greatest awards on earth” the GIMA Awards give manufacturers and suppliers of product to the garden retail trade such great opportunities. Spencer Goodall, Head of Retail Sales at DLF Trifolium said: “Just getting your product under the noses of the judging panel is worth entering alone. They are some influential people, many of them buyers and you wind up with listings as a result of entering – winning is the bonus!”
The panel for the judging, which takes place this year at Garden Organic, Ryton on the 4th June includes representatives from Tesco, Steve Guy, Head of Horticulture at B&Q, Martin Davies, GCA Chairman and MD of the award winning Raglan Garden Centre, Simon Wright, Purchasing Director for Stax, Roger Foster, Director of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Sally Spicer the Gardencare Buyer from Scotsdale Garden Centre, Wayne Plant, Trelawney Garden Centre and Gardening Buyer, Lloyd Taylor from Wilkinson’s the leading variety store retailer.
Richard Noble, Business Development Manager at tree stand supplier The Christmas Cabin said: “Winning the GIMA 2008 Award gave an excellent boost to our profile as a supplier, catching the attention of a number of key buyers in the retail trade. This has definitely helped to develop contacts and relationships, and provided an “overnight” credibility for the product to anyone not already familiar with our brand.”
All the details you need to enter your products into the 2009 Awards are available on the GIMA website www.gima.org.uk or call 0121 446 5213. But hurry, closing date for entries is the 29th May.
You can also book places for the Awards night on the 16th June via the website. The evening is a great opportunity to be one of the first to hear the news of the 2009 winning products and marketing campaigns while you entertain guests and network with industry colleagues. Put the date into your diary now as there are only limited numbers left.
