With just a week to go before Glee 2014 opens its doors, more than 500 exhibitors have now signed for the show, which will occupy at least 20 per cent more space than last year. Only four stands remained unsold as this issue of Glee Daily News was finalised.

New exhibitors confirming during the past few weeks include big-name lighting suppliers Philips and Easy Connect.

A three-year deal signed this week with the HTA, pledging the association’s continuing support, was taken as another signal that Glee, with its new look and new NEC location, is at the dawn of a new era long term

“The expertise that they, as an association, can bring to the show is invaluable and will help us to further develop Glee’s role as the key annual event for the garden industry,” said Glee’s event director Matthew Mein.  “Glee has gone through a number of changes ahead of the 2014 show, and having the HTA’s ongoing support has been vital in many aspects of this development. I believe having the HTA by our side for the next three years will enable us to further strengthen Glee’s long-term future as the unrivalled annual platform for the garden industry to meet, do business, share retailing best practice and address the key issues that are facing us all.”

HTA chief executive Carol Paris said Glee remained the foremost UK trade event for manufacturers and suppliers of garden goods and equipment. “As such we felt it was vital to ensure that the HTA and its members maintains a close working relationship with the show. I look forward to working with the team over the coming years, to build a bigger, brighter future for Glee and our members.”

Among the new initiatives this year is the keenly-anticipated Green Heart of Glee feature of nursery displays – many of them by HTA members – in the Atrium.

Mein said the re-booking levels for the 2015 were another cause for optimism – as are this year’s pre-registrations. Mein says the Garden Centre Association is strongly represented. Among the big name retailers registering to visit so far are:

Tesco

Senco

Travis Perkins

Homebase

Home Retail Group

The Range

Robert Dyas

Amazon

Jewsons

Selco

Next

Wilko

Waitrose

B&Q