Glee

Event Update

The 2025 edition of Glee will be hosted as a live trade show at NEC Birmingham. The event will be held between 16.09.2025 and 18.09.2025.

A Brief Overview of Glee

Glee is the international fair that showcases the latest trends in gardening as well as the outdoor living sectors with leading designers, brands and manufacturers displaying their very best. Held in Birmingham, UK, the latest iteration is scheduled for an intense three-day program. Thousands are set to make an appearance, so sort out your hotel bookings for Glee while there are still good deals out.

GETA ltd has established an impressive database with apartment buildings, hotels and guesthouses in Birmingham, which cater to all price ranges, preferences in location and tastes. Tell us what you need for your accommodation during Glee and we’ll plan your business trip in a single day. We select hotels close to the NEC Birmingham and with good connections to public transport, reducing the time to get there further. The upcoming edition of Glee in 2023 is set to break visitor records, so it’s best to start looking now. Large groups are more than welcome! 

Our team is here to assist in every capacity. Our service portfolio includes services like rent-a-car and airport transfers. Create a bespoke service package and pay preferential rates! 

Why Is Your Visit Worth It?

As we’ve already mentioned, Glee is visited by the thousands and that places it in the foreground in terms of creating business opportunities. Britain has long been associated with a fine garden so you will be presenting in the best possible environment to receive attention and foster long-term partnerships. You can expect:

• 500+ international exhibitors;
• 7000+ international trade visitors;
• 8 show sectors;
• 4000+ senior decision makers.

Industry Relevance

Glee is actually an acronym and stands for Garden, Leisure, Equipment, Exhibition and was conceived back in the mid-70s. The first edition officially ran in 1976 and its success created a long-standing annual tradition that has been steadily growing over the decades and cementing its legacy. 

The National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham serves as home base and the event space is divided into eight distinct show sectors – Garden Care; Landscaping and Garden Decorations; Food and Catering; Retail Experience and Services; Outdoor Entertaining; Pet Products; Home, Gift and Clothing; and Plants. This organisation guarantees a wide assortment of products from animal cages and aquariums to sun umbrellas, flowers and flower bulbs. It’s the place to meet with interested buyers and register sales leads.

Who Are You Going to Meet

Because Glee is more of an English institution, the concentration of British professionals who’re visiting every year is quite high. Among those there’s a wide variety of professional backgrounds – multiple and independent garden centres, high street and department stores, builder’s merchants, online retailers, DIY retailers, florists, distributors and agents, landscape designers and growers among other industry professionals. 

Organisers report that over 70% of visitors are return visitors, which gives you a means to stay in touch with current clients all the while bringing in enough new visitors to grow your market share. Companies that participate include Amazon, B&M, Dobbies, John Lewis, Homebase, National Trust, Pets at Home, Baytree, Blue Diamond and Tesco.

Additional Value of Attending 

Glee offers visitors a wealth of opportunities beyond networking and trading. Over the years, the trade show has come into its own as a hub for industry news, insights and collaboration. At Glee, industry professionals, keynote speakers, and gardening enthusiasts gather at The Stage to have their say on what’s happening in the industry today. Visitors gain insights in key topics and share new ideas with professionals. The atmosphere is one of collaboration and uplifting of the gardening community at large.

The Stage at Glee serves as the focal point for knowledge exchange and thought leadership. Year after year, esteemed speakers take the stage to deliver engaging keynote presentations, share their expertise and provide valuable insights into the latest trends and developments. Visitors attend in order to stay up to date with what’s new, get inspired and learn a thing or two about running their business better. With a diverse lineup of speakers and topics, The Stage promises a dynamic and enriching experience for all.

Two notable ceremonies held at Glee are the Buyers Power List and the New Product Awards. The Buyers Power List is an occasion to honour and recognize the top buyers in the industry today. This ceremony celebrates individuals and businesses that have made a significant impact on garden retail. It is a moment to acknowledge their contributions and highlight their achievements. The Buyers Power List awards ceremony is exciting and prestigious. It also signals to exhibitors, which the most influential buyers are! Previous award winners here include Webbs, Haskins, British Garden Centres, Downtown Garden Centre, Blue Diamond, Hillmount, Perrywood, Notcutts and Stax Trade Centres.

The New Product Awards at Glee are a highlight for both exhibitors and visitors. These awards shine a spotlight on groundbreaking gardening products. Attendees have the opportunity to witness live product pitches at The Stage, where exciting new products are unveiled and showcased. Later, the winners are celebrated at the New Product Awards ceremony, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement throughout the event. This is a chance for exhibitors to gain recognition for their innovations and for visitors to discover the latest cutting-edge products that can enhance their gardening experience. Plus, the awards are an effective tool to keep track of emerging trends in real time! Here are previous winners: 

• Golden Grove - Cryptomeria jap. 'Kyara Gold’
• Sipcam Home and Garden - Peat Free Compost Booster & Organic Superfood
• Bermuda - Bermuda My First Pond Kit
• Zest - Garden Bar and Two Stool Set
• Plantsmith - Plantsmith Houseplant Care Set
• Westland Unwins - FloPro Can-Can
• Hydria Life - Hydria Fountain Kit

Glee 2023 promises even more exciting events and discoveries. With an extensive seminar program, visitors can expect a wide range of engaging sessions covering various topics of interest. The program is regularly updated, ensuring that attendees have access to the most current and relevant content. Whether you are a gardening professional, an enthusiast, or someone passionate about the industry, Glee offers a platform to connect, learn and celebrate all things gardening.