With just weeks until the 7th National Plant Show this year’s event is set to be the best yet. HTA’S Harley Coles previews this expanding event
The National Plant Show, with headline Sponsor Hortipak is bigger than ever with more exhibitors, features and reasons to visit this year’s event taking place on 21 – 22 June at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry. The Show’s back to basics approach ensures the spotlight shines purely on the plants at the best time of year in order for visitors to plan their ranges for the following seasons.
We welcome a number of new exhibitors this year including The Plant Yard, Butters Group, Kelly’s Nursery, Kildaire Growers, Porters Fuchsias, Rosemasters ltd and Premium Christmas trees to name a few. Our full exhibitor list can be seen on our website – www.nationalplantshow.co.uk
Come and meet the team in the new HTA Village. This will look to showcase everything the HTA has to offer including Membership, Market Information, National Garden Gift Vouchers, Events, Horticulture and Training as well as the Association of Professional Landscapers, BOPP, Cost Reduction Partners and our show Media Office.
Also new in 2016 our Retail Concept Experience will create a stimulating retail environment for visitors using the HTA Market Information Garden Spender Segmentation as the steer, which can then be implemented in store targeted to your Garden Spenders.
Once again on show are our prestigious New Plant Awards, sponsored by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), showcasing the best in new plant introductions from UK plant suppliers.
In addition the Visitor Vote Awards, sponsored by Floramedia are a popular part of the show. With over 100 plants to vote for, visitors are spoilt for choice and often have a tough decision on their hands when deciding which they feel is their favourite plant!
The National Plant Show seminars provide an added extra to the show. With a focus on plants (goes without saying!) Confirmed in our Seminar line up are Michael Perry from Thompson & Morgan, Dave Gillam General Manger of Abercorn Garden Centre and Chairman of the National Dahlia Society, Andy Mcindoe Horticultural Consultant and GTN’S Greatest Plant Retail Awards as well as a Plant Health focus session, Growing Media Spotlight and the British Protected Ornamentals Association’s Home Grown Retailer Award. Their talk topics can be found on the show website – www.nationalplantshow.co.uk
One of the main new highlights during our seminar sessions will be an insight in to the New Plant Awards winners giving an opportunity for our judges to inform visitors on what made these plants really stand out and how you can make the most of them in your plantareas, this session will be fronted by Andy Mcindoe.
To enhance the event we also have a number of supporters and sponsors you can visit at the show including Headline Parter Hortipak, APHA, Gardman, RHS, Love the Plot, Timber Displays, Floramedia, Horticulture Week, Garden Connect, Striking Places, XL Horticulture, HTA Insurance, The Growing Media Spotlight, ICL, Joy of Plants and Glee.
Look out for our pocket guide to the National Plant Show which will be attached to the front of the June issue of HTA news.
Visitor registration for the event is also available www.nationalplantshow.co.uk