DIYWEEK.net

With just weeks to go until the doors to Glee 2016 are thrown open at the Birmingham NEC from September 12-14, what can visitors expect from this year's exhibition?
New Features - Outdoor Entertaining is the new home of garden leisure products. A new approach to this sector will focus largely on the move from 'outdoor living' to our garden spaces being an extension of our homes, with gardens taking centre stage when it comes to entertaining space.

Glee Garden Design & Landscaping has entered a new chapter in 2016 under the banner of Landscaping and Garden Decoration. This revitalised area will look at how retailers can better profit from a mixture of hard landscaping, and those decorative elements that help to complete most garden design projects. Finally, Retail Experiences and Services will replace the area previously known as Retail Services.

Offering the best in shop-fittings, POS, EPoS and retail design, this area will be expanded in 2016 to better incorporate the wider aspects related to inspirational and functional retailing concepts. Glee's established catering section will also find a new home within the Retail Experiences section and Services this year.

Organisers have also pledged to "better represent" Home DIY and water gardening this year.

The New Product Display is the place to head to see the most innovative, unique and commercial products from the hundreds of suppliers at Glee. The competition sees new designs and products perfectly displayed for your consideration with the best of each category receiving the accolade of a 'Glee Award.' Show visitors can also cast their vote for their favourite, awarding one lucky entrant with the title of 'Retailers Choice Award'.

As always Glee will offer visitors a free, three-day Seminar Programme organised in conjunction with the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association), which will share expert business and garden retail advice to help grow your business through challenging trading conditions.

This year's show will be officially opened by TV's Diarmuid Gavin, who will then be joining speakers within the seminar theatre to share his experience of how he got to where he is today in the industry. He will also share his top tips of how to encourage the younger generation into gardening.

Award-winning garden designer, TV gardening presenter, journalist and author, Ann-Marie Powell will also be joining Glee's seminar programme, sharing her thoughts on the evolution of garden trends and also details of her journey to Chelsea.