The snowy weather in London didn’t dampen spirits at the Garden Press Event which took place on 28 February 2018.  The 13th year of the event, which is dedicated to showcasing the garden industry to the media, saw the event move to a new venue – the Business Design Centre, which was well received by exhibitors and visitors alike.

Despite the weather, media representing key trade and consumer titles came from across the country to find out the latest information on new products, themes and innovations ahead of the 2018 gardening season. Importantly, the event also puts exhibitors on media’s list of contacts for the year ahead – where a single mention of a product can drive demand.

This year saw over 100 companies exhibit including Westland Horticulture, Suttons, Stiga, Honda, David Austin Roses, Elho, Bulldog Tools, Cadix, Wyevale Nurseries and Hozelock and included 26 new companies for 2018.

Alongside the exhibitors themselves a series of short speaker slots took place in The Briefing Room covering topics such as plant health, National Children’s Gardening Week and the latest trends.

All exhibitors were eligible to put products forward for the New Product Awards – raising an amazing £2,650 for Greenfingers. The winner of the new product award was Bio-Bean for their Coffee Logs product made from coffee grounds with the runner up being Willow Wand.

The accolade for the Best Stand Award went to hedging plant specialists Hopes Grove Nurseries for their innovative display of products including a gin hedgerow featuring all the berries that can be used to flavour the spirit.

Now jointly owned by GIMA and HTA the 2018 event was the last one involving Guy Burtenshaw and Sue O’Neill from Media Events – who have run the event since its inception. At the pre-event dinner there was a presentation to both Guy and Sue from Richard Jackson thanking them by all for their hard work in developing and running this event.