GCA chairman Dennis Espley and Westland managing director Edward Conroy are offering 25 free places at the GCA annual conference in a bid to 'bring forward the future management of the industry'.
The pair hope the move will expose garden centre staff to information and thinking they wouldn't normally have access to, providing them a wider view of the industry.

The sponsorship will cover the conference from 9am on Monday, January 24 to 5pm Tuesday, January 25, including all accommodation and meal costs.

The scheme is directed at staff below branch manager level, who may progress in the future.

Contact the GCA office for an application form 01993 871456 or email gillie@gca.org.uk. Closing date for applications is Friday, December 17.

The GCA 2011 Conference will be held January 24 - 26 January at The Crown Plaza Hotel Heythrop Park, in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.