The Gardenex export federation is organising the British group of exhibitors at Spoga+gafa 2017, and has secured Government grants of at least £1000 for eligible companies.

Spoga+gafa 2017, which will take place in Cologne from September 3 – 5, 2017, is an international garden trade show which promotes itself as the world’s leading trade fair for the garden industry.

Gardenex director genera Amanda Sizer Barrett said: “Spoga+gafa provides a significant opportunity for UK suppliers of garden and leisure products and services to reach major buyers from all parts of the world.

“The show is truly international, featuring over 2,000 exhibitors from 57 countries and attracting around 39,000 trade visitors from 106 countries. The fact that this major trade fair has been a regular highlight of the federation’s overseas initiatives for around 40 years speaks for itself, as do the glowing testimonials received from British exhibitors at past editions of the show.

“The level and importance of orders and repeat business created at Spoga+gafa surpasses all other international garden trade shows. The popularity of British garden products remains strong across export markets, and this is underlined by the fact that between now and the opening of Spoga+gafa, several key buyers from European markets have accepted invitations to attend the federation’s popular ‘Meet the International Buyers' events, held in the UK.”

The Government cash grants available for eligible SMEs in 2017 will help towards stand costs. In addition, British firms confirm that exhibiting with the help of the Gardenex team simplifies the whole process of organising their participation.

The federation’s comprehensive package ensures that British exhibitors will have a prime location within the show and that they will receive full support with their stand build and other aspects of preparing for the show.

In addition, a focussed programme of pre-show promotion to international buyers and to overseas trade press will be implemented by the federation. During the show, the Gardenex team will be manning a UK garden industry information stand in the British pavilion, from where it will provide on-site support and assistance to UK exhibitors.

The federation will also be welcoming international visitors to its stand and offering a product sourcing service to overseas buyers, linking them with the firms that are exhibiting.