Glee has always been a home for education and inspiration. The 2018 show will be no different, with not one but two different seminar stages. The main stage (located in its new location in Hall 8) will benefit from a packed three-day schedule, including a number of garden VIPs sharing their thoughts, ideas and expectations for the future of gardening.  

Bringing the A-list to the stage will be Charlie Dimmock, one of the UK’s most beloved gardening personalities. Kicking off the seminar programme on Monday 10th, Charlie’s keynote session will focus on her varied experiences as a gardener and TV personality, as well as looking at the gardening trends that are exciting her most.

Don’t miss it – Ground Force: Behind the scene and under the soil with Charlie Dimmock – Monday 10th September – 12:00pm – 12:30pm

Another well known face gracing the Glee seminar stage will be Lee Bestall, MD and founder of Bestall Design. As brand ambassador for Spear & Jackson, stand in presenter of BBC radio Sheffield’s Gardeners Question Hour, and regular contributor to a range of garden and outdoor lifestyle magazines, Lee brings to the stage over a decade of experience. Lee’s session will focus on one of the five Retail Lab themes – Easy Gardening – and how it translates into in store engagement with millennial gardeners.

Don’t miss it – Garden Retail Trend: Easy Gardening – Tuesday 11th September – 14:15pm – 14:45pm 

Lee Connelly, of Skinny Jeans Gardener fame, will be bringing his big personality and unique style, along with his brother Dale Connelly, to the stage during his session which will look at which social channels are the best for garden retailers and brands to use to really engage with consumers. A rampant social media user, including YouTube, Twitter, and a dedicated blog and website Lee has a wealth of experience and anecdotal evidence to support his session.

Don’t miss it – Why Care About Social Media? – Tuesday 11th September – 12:45pm – 1:15pm

Another popular blogger, Annabelle Padwick, will be finding her home on the Glee seminar stage on both Tuesday and Wednesday. As founder of Life at No.27, Anabelle is a passionate advocate for gardening and its benefits for both mental and physical health, and will be sharing her thoughts on the topic throughout both her sessions.

Don’t miss it – Garden Retail Trend: It’s not what you grow, it’s how YOU grow – Tuesday 11th September – 11:45am – 12:30pm & Community an CSR Engagement: The benefits a National Initiative can bring you, as retailers and brands – Wednesday 12th September – 1:30pm – 2:00pm

Romeo Sommers, Trend Forecaster and Concept Developer of the Retail Lab at Glee and founder of ByRomeo, will lead four sessions, each focussing on the trends that have shaped the Retail Lab – in association with the HTA – throughout 2018. From pets to happy gardening, and tangible advice on how garden retailers can bring to life the Retail Lab concepts in store, Romeo’s sessions are set to be a thriving and interactive addition to Glee’s seminar programme.

The HTA’s Marketing and Insights Manager, David Denny, will take to the stage two times throughout Glee 2018. His sessions will focus the many growth opportunities for garden retailers, including a dedicated approach to both the younger and aging consumer demographic. A focus on market data and how it can improve business strategy, and a look at the future of garden retailing completes David’s roster.

Vegepod’s Director, Paul Harris, Kirsty Kean, Retail Consultant at Visual Thinking, and Jane Tarver, Research Director of AMA Research, will each be covering topics such as urban gardening, open season promotion, and garden and pet product business opportunities. The main seminar stage will also be home to The Great British Growing Awards and the Glee Buyers Power List, together making this year’s schedule the strongest yet.

To see the full schedule please visit https://www.gleebirmingham.com/seminar-programme. Please note all times/ details subject to change.