The speaker line up for the GIMA Business Meeting at the end of this month has been finalised and includes names from some of the UK's most respected and largest retailers and suppliers.
Tesco leisure category director Peter Groves will outline for delegates what it means and what they need to supply one of the world's biggest retailers.

Representing the independent retailer, Caroline Owen, md of Scotsdale Garden Centre, will take to the stage, as will Stax joint md David Hibbert. Suppliers will also speak as Forest Garden ceo Jonathan Halford and The Scotts Company sales director Keith Boad air their views.

The day will be rounded off with two final presentations. The first, from Stephen Watts of credit referencing service WK5.com will explain the importance of cash in any business and Tim Morris from Planalytics will explain how weather intelligence can be used to predict spikes in sales ahead of time.

The GIMA Business Meeting is open to manufacturers and suppliers to the garden products industry. It takes place on January 29 at the Henley Golf and Country Club, Warwickshire under the title 'What is in store for 2009'. Delegate places (including lunch) are £79.95 plus VAT for non-GIMA members with a subsidised rate offered for members.

GIMA will also be distributing the 2009 New Product Digest at the Totally shows later this month. The 76-page publication contains more than 350 new products in the sector.