The debut edition of Source Garden, Europe’s newest responsible sourcing show for the gardening sector, offered a show floor full of responsible manufacturers, plus the opportunity for visitors to meet with industry experts for one-to-one advice sessions.

Taking place alongside Glee - the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show - from today until Thursday at the NEC Birmingham, Source Garden is a unique sourcing platform where worldwide responsible manufacturers are united with retailers, garden centres, brands, and contractors who are looking to explore sourcing and private label opportunities. Brands and retailers in attendance today include Sainsburys (Argos), B&Q, Kingfisher, Blue Diamond, Aldi, Tesco, Home Bargains and many more.

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Garden says, “I’m so happy to launch Source Garden. It is perfectly placed to nurture new ideas, find inspiration, bring knowledge about what goes into responsible products and manufacturing methods. We are passionate about creating connections, bringing the brightest minds in the industry together, connecting all elements of the retail supply chain and ensuring our buyers find exactly what they are looking for.”

Building the foundations of new product lines, Source Garden aims to provide the best in responsibly sourced garden products including outdoor entertaining, garden tools, outdoor decoration, pets, landscaping, and retail services. Visitors discovered new ideas and inspiration that champion environmentally friendly and fairtrade practices.

Ruizhi Gao, Assistant Manager, of exhibitor Guangzhou Konda Import & Export said, “We are located in Guangzhou, China, and we are a factory which produces durable and realistic artificial flowers and plants suitable for indoor and outdoor use. We came to Source Garden to exhibit for the first time last year and had a great show. We are very excited to be exhibiting again this year. I spoke to some of our clients before I arrived, and I expect to meet them here, they plan to visit the show!”

The new Ask the Experts sessions offer a chance for visitors to connect with industry leaders and learn how to continue building more ethical and sustainable practices within their business. Taking place in the Buyers Lounge in Hall 6, visitors are invited to book in free 20 minute consultations on topics including buying, merchandising, sustainable storytelling, supply chain resilience, retail trends, creative marketing strategies, and digital marketing techniques.

Retail consultancy, Retail 100 are delivering sessions on all three days of the show, covering the following topics; buying, merchandising, sourcing and regional differences, brand development, sustainable storytelling and building your brand narrative, assortment review, supply chain resilience, and retail insight - future trends, consumer behaviour, in-store experiences.

Today, visitors booked in with Louise Welsby, Managing Director of Buy-From about to discuss topics including; creative marketing strategies, business communication and growth, brand development, innovation and storytelling, empowering people through effective communication, and retail insights and predictions. Amy Hobson, Digital Marketing and Social Media Trainer from Social B was also on hand to discuss franchising, retail business development, digital marketing and converting customers, using social media platforms to engage with your audience, and retail insight.

Tomorrow, Edwina Mullins, Director of Social B is onsite to talk about digital marketing techniques and strategy, social media plans, go-to-market insights, capability development, digital transformation and innovation tapping into the need for companies to connect with their customers through storytelling and marketing strategies. Thursday welcomes Therese Oertenblud, Founder of Small Business Collective offering advice on creating a purpose-driven brand, strategic sales, effective goal setting, wholesale supply chain, and building tools for business growth.

Source Garden takes place from 10th - 12th September at the NEC Birmingham.

Register for your Source Garden free ticket at www.source-garden.com to shape the future of gardening.

Gallery of Source Garden pictures below...