Glee's organiser has admitted that "there is still work to be done to engage with a wider audience" as it released figures showing another slump in visitor numbers.
This September's edition of the garden retail exhibition attracted just 7,601 attendees, a figure that extends the downward trend of the last few years. There were 9,112 visitors to the 2012 show, down from 11,149 in 2011 and 13,050 in 2010.

Matthew Mein, Glee event manager at organiser i2i, commented: "We know that there is still work to do to ensure that Glee continues to deliver the most valuable audience possible. Our market penetration within key markets has remained stable, but we know that there is still work to be done to engage with a wider audience.

"This year Glee was very much about delivering an audience of quality; one that was dedicated to optimising the sales and profit opportunity that the exhibition offers."

And he added: "For many, the 2013 exhibition was one of the busiest on record, with sale targets being smashed, order books running out and new product launches drawing more attention than ever before."

This year, the three-day Birmingham show returned to a Sunday opening, and in 2014 it will be moving to halls 17-20 within the NEC, which i2i says will help mark a new chapter for the event, improving the visitor experience and creating fresh exhibiting opportunities.

Mr Mein went on: "As we look ahead to the 2014 show the team and I will be dedicated to delivering a show that works harder, delivers more, and suits the ever-changing needs of the garden and leisure industry. Glee has the potential to build the long-term profitability for manufacturers and retailers alike, and I sincerely look forward to working alongside the industry in the coming months to ensure that Glee's offering is stronger than ever before."

i2i says that amongst this year's visitors there were over 1,800 representatives from independent and multiple garden centre retailers, including all but two GCA members. Glee was also visited by buyers from major supermarkets, builders' merchants and DIY stores. In addition, over a quarter of visitors had never visited the show before.

In total, 472 suppliers exhibited at the 2013 show, including over 160 names new to Glee and 69 international exhibitors.

One exhibitor pleased with this year's event was Joe Denham, international director at VegTrug. "Glee 2013 was our record-breaking year," he said. "Over the three days of the show we had more visitors on-stand than ever before. Sunday in particular delivered a great overseas audience...We also broke our own orders records."

And visitors Sarah and Michael Tullos from Inglefield Plants described Glee as "an opportunity not to miss out on".

Next year's Glee will take place at the NEC, Birmingham from September 14-16.