Despite a drop of more than 17% in visitor figures from just over 22,000 last year to 18,112 this year, Glee show director Daniel Thurlow was pleased with the show...
He said, "Glee is a barometer of the market and in view of recent conditions we were pleased with the breadth, seniority and relevance of the audience who came along. There was an increase in the number of UK multiple retail buyers such as supermarket, DIY and high street names."

He added: "We also saw serious buyers from multiple and independent garden centres, buying groups, builders merchants, machinery dealers, designers and landscapers, and pet and aquatic retailers - all of whom represent our core audiences."

The Profitable Plants section, which made its debut this year, was won by The Ceramic Gift Company, who created a room setting designed to promote linked sales between house plants and pots.

Show organisers expanded the Glee Awards categories and introduced an awards evening, which, explained Mr Thurlow, "afforded extra networking opportunities."

There were more than 250 entries in the New Product and Retail categories, with KinderGarden Plants' VertiGarden vertical planting concept bagging three awards on the night, including the Special Award category.

In Glee Petindex, the Pet Care Trust's three-day seminar and grooming demonstration programme was well attended and the ever-popular Dog Fashion again drew a vast audience.

An on-stand competition organised by Casco Group for a pet store refit worth £20,000 received a record 1,500 entries and was won by CWA Pet Supplies.
International attendance was high on Glee's agenda for 2008 and 9% of visitors were attracted from overseas, including a group of almost 50 North American garden centres. The show welcomed visitors from 58 countries through its doors.

Glee sales director Nick Davison confirmed that re-bookings for next year's show are strong and that companies continue to view Glee as a 'fundamental part of marketing activities'.

Michael Withers, managing director of Suntime said: "This was the busiest Glee we've ever has. We've already booked our stand for 2009."

Bradstone also had a successful show. Head of marketing, Ian Wright described it as 'absolutely superb' and said: "Glee gives us a great opportunity to go right across a wide group of customers all at the same time."

Glee 2009 will take place from September 20-22 at the NEC Birmingham. For more information call 020 7728 4262 or visit www.gleebirmingham.com