2009 exhibition hailed as best trade show in years by buyers and suppliers who attended.
The 34th annual Glee exhibition was a welcome surprise for many who attended, explained show director Daniel Thurlow. "The feedback has been excellent; indeed the smaller footprint of the show has had a positive impact - the aisles were packed and buzzing with people doing business. In fact, many exhibitors have told us that they wrote more business at Glee than at any other trade show in the last three years. Visitors commented that they felt less rushed, allowing them to spend more quality time on stands."

However, Mr Thurlow said it wasn't a surprise that visitor numbers were "a little lower" than last year, as a result of consolidation in the marketplace, tough trading conditions and the fact that Glee was a smaller show this year. Glee's unaudited figures revealed that 14,500 people attended the Birmingham-based show this year, compared with just over 18,000 last year and a little more than 22,000 the year before.

Visitors were impressed by the atmosphere and new features of the 2009 show. Scotsdale Garden Centre managing director Caroline Owen explained: "I think the show is great. I love the Innovators Zone, and Glee New Products is even better this year. It's excellent for networking too."

Organisers are now looking ahead to Glee 2010, hoping to build on the success of this year's show. Mr Thurlow said: "For 2010 we will be building on the positive environment created this year, we'll look to welcome back absent brands and showcasing the newest products and suppliers...We'll also refresh the visitor features that proved so popular this year."

For full comments from both exhibitors and visitors, plus a rundown of what there was to see on stand, check out DIY Week's Glee Review in the October 30 issue.