Surge in visitor numbers on second day of show, makes up for a quiet opening.
A steady stream of visitors poured into the NEC Birmingham today to attend the garden and leisure industry's premier exhibition, Glee.

Exhibitors were pleased with the turn out after a slightly disappointing first day – and Diyweek.net walked the aisles to sound out exhibitor opinion.

Hugh Brumfitt, md at Waspinator Ltd believes that exhibitors reap the rewards of their efforts if they have a unique selling point on-stand.

He explained: "The Waspinator's is its green factor: it doesn't harm the wasps and is kind to the environment and that's what people love."

He said of Glee 2008: "It's been a great show for us so far. We've got a stack of business cards and have made some really great contacts.

"A number of leading garden centres, including Dobbies and Notcutts want to stock the product, as well as a couple of big mail-order companies and a number of European distributors - a guy from the Czech Republic wants a container load of 40,000."

The Waspinator has also been shortlisted for two Glee Product Awards.

Miranda Harris, marketing manager at long-standing show supporter DLF Trifolium, stressed the value of Glee to the company: "It was fairly quiet yesterday, possibly because it was such a lovely day, but the leads that we did get were good ones.

"It's been much busier today and we've had lots of people on stand.

She added: "I know that a couple of our competitors have decided not to exhibit this year but we wouldn't even consider not being here. Glee's a very important show for us."

Jo Sensecall, marketing manager, Smart Solar has been pleased with the interest in the company's new products: "This is my first Glee so I didn't know what to expect. We had a steady flow of people yesterday but it's been even busier today.

"We've had a lot of interest in our ground level solar panels – the PV Microgeneration System. They can be installed at home without the need for a professional and a lot of people have been asking about them.

"A lot of garden centres are keen to start stocking the panels."

John Bull, product development manager, Norman Pendred & Company has found the larger retailers have been particularly taken with his mobile plant watering system.

"We've had a lot of interest in the H2O to Go. Wilkinson and Marks & Spencer already use the product so a lot of people, including Focus DIY, have been seeking us out because they want to know more," he told DIYWeek.net

He continued: "Some of the exhibitors here have been really impressed and want one for their business.

"We've even been lending them out to help people water their plants on stand.

"It has been a great show for us so far."