The countdown to next month's Glee has begun, with the show promising a host of special business-focused features for garden industry professionals, 30 brand-new exhibitors and a return to its Sunday-to-Tuesday format.
The 2013 event, which takes place at Birmingham's NEC September 15-17, also has a new manager at its helm, Matthew Mein, a senior member of the Glee sales team for the last seven years.

After disappointing visitor attendance last year, which saw numbers down by almost 20% on 2011, Glee made the decision to revert to a Sunday-to-Tuesday slot after research showed that a Sunday show day would allow more independents to attend.

Said Mr Mein: "Glee 2013 is very much the start of a new chapter for the show. Over the last year we've listened intently to the wants and needs of the industry, and feel that this year's event will more than ever reflect the changes and opportunities that the industry desires."

And next year's show will be moving to Halls 17 - 20, which the organisers say will refresh the overall layout of the event and provide an opportunity to add new content.

Glee is divided into several dedicated product sectors, plus the Glee Innovators Zone. In Hall 5, Garden Care features everything from growing media, fertilisers and GYO products to garden machinery, garden tools and accessories, while Landscaping & Garden Design in Hall 4 brings together hard landscaping and aggregates, fencing, garden buildings, soft landscaping, statuary, water features and timber supplies.

Also in Hall 4 is Nursery & Planteria, for nursery stock, bedding plants, house plants, cut flowers, trees and shrubs, herbs and florist sundries.

Hall 5, Garden Leisure, is the place to source garden furniture, barbecues, parasols, chimeneas, conservatory and indoor furniture, play equipment and camping essentials, and in the same hall is Home, Gift & Clothing, where buyers will also find picnicware, seasonal decorations and games, toys and books.

Still in Hall 5, Retail Support will present the latest innovations, technologies and equipment for retailers, including EPoS, shop-fitting and display stands, structures, software solutions and garden centre design. And buyers will also find pet products and accessories throughout the show.

Meanwhile, in the Innovators Zone, designed to help companies break into the garden retail market, over 30 companies will be making their garden retail industry debut.

The show will also offer, for the second year, a Food & Catering Zone for garden retailers wanting to create or improve their catering offer. And the Knowledge Hub education and learning centre will present a series of seminars.

Mr Mein promised: "Every Glee visitor will leave having gained new ideas, new contacts and helpful business guidance for the year ahead. Retailers who spend time visiting Glee will achieve far more than they could from weeks on the phone, out on the road or staying on the shop floor."