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Glee Announces Strategy for Year-Round Service to the Industry

June 10, 2008  By Glee


gleeJune 10, 2008 – For the September 21-23, 2008 edition, Glee organizers have revealed Glee's future as a 365-day a year, industry-focused resource for buyers and suppliers worldwide.

Among the many enhancements planned for the 2008 show and beyond include: new merchandising features, reinforced environmental, seminar and international programs, an expanded awards venture, and continual investment in Glee's interactive website.
 
Show director Daniel Thurlow says that as well as investing in what Glee offers as Europe's largest garden, pet and leisure exhibition, there has also been investment in growing the Glee brand as a permanent information resource for buyers and suppliers worldwide: "Glee has always been well positioned for accessing the latest news, trend and product information from across the garden, pet and leisure industries. With such a wealth of information at our fingertips, we have earmarked 2008 as the year that Glee cements its value as a year-round resource helping visitors and exhibitors alike."
 
Outlining added value developments for 2008, Thurlow confirms: "This year has already seen the launch of GleeWire, our online resource providing up-to-date market, product and retail information from all of Glee's marketplaces. We have enhanced the Glee website with additional news and search facilities; and we are set to introduce new retail-led initiatives at the show to provide added visitor inspiration. We are also proud to launch the evolution of the Glee New Product awards into the Glee Awards; providing opportunity to recognize retail as well as innovation excellence an marking an exciting new chapter for the show."

NEW VISITOR INITIATIVES AT GLEE
Visitors to Glee will be able to take advantage of a number of attractions and buyer-friendly 'product trails' this year. Glee Nursery will be home to a new Nursery Merchandising area, designed as a unique opportunity for nursery exhibitors to demonstrate the effectiveness of well designed merchandising areas. Mock point-of-sale set ups and product demonstrations in 'actual' retail environments will highlight the potential of expert plant presentation, inspiring retailers to revamp their approach to merchandising and stock options.

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Glee's Going Green Trail will be expanded to help buyers pinpoint even more environmentally friendly suppliers, products and processes. Visitors keen to source eco-friendly ranges will be able to plan their day by searching for Going Green exhibitors on Glee's interactive website, www.gleebirmingham.com, by using listings in the Glee catalogue or by looking out for the Going Green logo on participating stands.

The Creative Britain trail will continue to highlight the best British products throughout Glee. Creative Britain is designed to benefit both UK buyers looking to source local, British products offering a reduced carbon footprint as well as international buyers seeing unique and authentic British designs.

The Glee World Network, which highlights export opportunities; and a new Trade Trail, enabling visitors and buyers to identify exhibitors who sell to trade as well as retailers, provide two additional buyer resources during the show.

GleeWire – UNIQUE ONLINE RESOURCE
GleeWire is the show's new, on-line resource highlighting up-to-date news stories and market information. With a circulation of more than 45,000 suppliers, retailers, journalists, and opinion formers, GleeWire provides weekly news updates for the garden, pet and leisure markets. Covering the latest news and issues from across the industry, GleeWire will feature up-to-the-minute news from both Glee and its exhibitors.
 
During the show, GleeWire is set to become a daily news service, complementing Glee's daily, dedicated show newsletter the Glee Daily News, and enabling visitors, exhibitors, and influencers to keep abreast of events at the show and across the market.
 
EXCITING THREE-DAY SEMINAR PROGRAM FOR GARDEN, LEISURE & PET RETAILERS
This year Glee will offer visitors a packed, three-day program of seminars, workshops and demonstrations held in two seminar theaters: one devoted to Garden and Leisure Retailing topics and the other for Petindex visitors. The Glee Garden and Leisure Retail seminar theatre, located in Hall 2 (Glee Outdoor Living) will focus on the theme, "Opportunities to Grow Your Business in Competitive Times." The industry experts imparting their business focused-inspiration and advice will include expert garden consultant John Stanley.
 
This year, the Glee Petindex seminar program, organized by Glee Petindex's associate sponsor, The Pet Care Trust, will provide pet retailers with advice and information on a wide range of issues facing pet retailers, industry professionals and owners. The Glee Petindex seminar theatre, located in Hall 7, will include a full program of retail talks, grooming demonstrations and workshops that is expected to draw hundreds of pet retailers, groomers, kennels, catteries, manufacturers and wholesalers. Also returning is the popular Dog Fashion Show featuring its own dedicated 'catwalk' area within the seminar theatre.
 
GLEE AWARDS – REWARDING PRODUCT AND RETAIL INNOVATION
Hundreds of garden, pet and leisure exhibitors enter their latest product introductions into the Glee New Product awards each year. Recognizing the best in design and innovation, the Glee New Product awards will enter a new era in 2008 – as the Glee Awards. Culminating in a glittering awards evening at the NEC's Hilton Metropole Hotel on Monday, September 22, 2008, the Glee Awards will include a raft of innovation-focused Glee New Product awards, a Green Award recognizing environmental responsibility and a number of new awards recognizing retail excellence, including the Buyer of the Year Award.
 
GLEE'S DEDICATED WEBSITE
The 2008 Glee website www.gleebirmingham.com features a new design and improved functionality for ease of navigation. With clearly defined sections – split by product, sector or visitor/exhibitor – the website offers international visitors a completely flexible approach to planning a Glee visit, searching exhibitor lists, pre-registering for free entry, seeing daily exhibitor updates or finding travel information.


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