THE GARDEN Centre Association (GCA) is seeking potential sponsors both big and small for its annual conference taking place from January 25-28 next year (2026).
The GCA wants to hear from businesses with horticultural industry relevance that would like to be associated with the event, which takes place at Carden Park Hotel near Chester.
Peter Burks, Chief Executive of the GCA, who is organising this year’s conference with Chairman Elect and Operations Director at Haskins Garden Centres, Ben Harrison, says: “We have lots of opportunities available this year but in essence we are looking for overall sponsors, dinner and reception sponsors, award sponsors and lots of other secondary sponsors.
“We’ve already booked a wide range of key industry relevant expert speakers, as well as two exciting major celebrity speakers, who both have universal appeal and one of which is a national treasure! It’s all very hush, hush at the moment, but they will be revealed in the autumn with huge fanfares, so watch this space. We anticipate we will sell all our delegate spaces very fast once they have been revealed.
“The sponsorship deals we have up for grabs include everything from the pens and bags we giveaway to all delegates to the coffee/tea breaks, which are, as you’d imagine, very popular and, of course, all the awards.
“Sponsors will have access to delegates who are key decision makers from the nation’s leading garden centres, including owners, directors and managers, in a relaxed and friendly environment, over breaks, meals, in the auditorium or during our Associate Event.
“We would love to hear from firms that are interested in sponsoring any of the activities, sessions, giveaways and awards at our conference and would like to discuss the various packages we can offer. Please email me to find out more via peter@gca.org.uk.”
More than 400 delegates are expected to attend the annual GCA Conference across the two days.
Peter adds: “As always, our conference will provide attendees with pertinent information on key aspects of the garden centre industry to assist members in achieving their business goals.”
The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.
Through sharing information and its inspection programme it helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.
Tickets for the GCA’s 2026 Annual Conference from January 25-28 at Carden Park Hotel near Chester go on sale on July 1, 2025. For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.
