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The inaugural IGC Show in August of 2007 was called a groundbreaking success by GCA retailer members and industry suppliers. The event hosted garden center buyers from 49 states and 10 countries representing 2,293 stores. The total registration was 4,938.
Plan now to exhibit at the 2008 IGC Show and take advantage of the special booth rate offered to our members. For more information contact Lisa Bansavage at lisa@igcshow.com or call 203-682-1664. |
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E-News for May 29th, 2008
By: Shanan Molnar
It is all about time and opportunity. We never have enough time and have to choose which opportunities to take very selectively. Today I write to you while fulfilling a dream of my own that I did choose selectively! I have always wanted to write at the beach. This past weekend was a working weekend for me in New Orleans so when the chance to work from the beach presented itself I said NO - I have to get ready for tour. But I could not stand it and decided working from the beach was at least a bit of a compromise! Here's my office for the day.
I started writing this morning and had so many things to tell you that I needed to back up and re-group my thoughts. The best thing about today's office location is walking/running at the beach is a great collector of thoughts for me. I am still multi-tasking by being at the beach working, being a Mom (3 kids with me), and finding the soothing the beach provides. I have the cell phone at my finger tips, the ipod in one ear, and the kids in sight! The boss teases me about being 'connected!'
Some of the points I need to share:
1) Don't forget to find your beach! My life gets crazy as spring time in a garden center! I need to recharge batteries and you do as well. Plan it - this week for me is an unusual opportunity. You are important enough to plan time off! Your staff and family will be appreciative of the change in perspective. You will be pleased in the efficiency you attain. Summer Tour is a 'beach experience' for you professionally. Plan both personal & professionally....
2) Ken & Mike Long have spent innumerable hours planning the most worthwhile tour experience that you can imagine. Register today and help us all plan for the appropriate number of attendees! We have added elements to the tour that will add value to the whole experience.
3) GCA has been working with Sue Amatangelo to provide some additional GreenPod experiences at Summer Tour. If you need to know about Green Products you need to come to this mecca of brain power -- the summer tour will have so many different people that the sharing becomes it's own 'cranial' tour. Bus captains will be working to bring about experiences from your stores and the locations we visit.
4) GCA is very proud to share a new program option for you. I have been talking about summer and the beach but I need you to jump ahead to Christmas also. GCA's working with the Christmas Tree Association to bring you Trees For Troops! I am going to put the whole press release below. Before you read it, remember your demographics in the garden center feel connected to the charitable spirit!
5) New Orleans was another chance to see an indelible spirit persevering. While working with HAPSters (Human Anatomy & Physiology Society), I did have time to take in a couple adventures. Pat O'Brien's is renowned for their Hurricanes and ambience. The most bustling place in their not so small bar was the piano bar. Piano bars are interactive places that appeal to me for the classic songs and fun they promote. You don't have to dance or be beautiful to sing out loud with the entire audience. We're focusing on the interactive nature with the conversations on the bus for tour! Bring your best stories of spirit and creativity.
6) If you need hotel information again. Remember reservations are limited at our GCA rate ($149) and the deadline is approaching. We are staying at the Embassy Suites in Cary, NC. If you have not ever stayed in an Embassy Suites, I have to tell you as a hotel snob - I enjoy them! (The phone number is 919-459-1506. Group Name is Garden Centers of America.)
Early bird registration for the tour ends on June 6th. Don't wait!
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Looking for a new way to increase your Holiday Sales??
Garden Centers of America members will be the exclusive retail partner in the TREES FOR TROOPS program sponsored by the Christmas SPIRIT FOUNDATION and FedEx. TREES FOR TROOPS provides real, farm-grown Christmas Trees to military troops and their families in all branches of the service, stationed both overseas and across the U.S. In 2007 almost 17,000 trees were delivered to 40+ military bases.
Last year the program attracted publicity from several national networks, (Fox News Channel, CBS and others) and 519 local television stations with a combined audience of 19.5 million viewers. A 2007 Harris Poll reported that 14.2 million households representing 37.3 million consumers heard, read or saw information about the TREES FOR TROOPS.
GCA members will have two ways to participate - a Veteran's Day kickoff promotion on November 8-11 and the Trees for Troops Weekend on December 5-7. These two weekends offer GCA members excellent opportunities to partner with local press, veteran/military organizations (VFW, American Legion, etc) and community leadership to support our troops and increase traffic in your location. Even garden centers with no 'real tree' sales will be able to participate and benefit from the national promotional efforts.
MORE INFORMATION TO COME . . . program details and sign up will be available in a few weeks. For Trees for Troops Weekend in December, FedEx will place a trailer with a TREES FOR TROOPS banner at garden centers on a first come first serve basis. So when you receive the materials in the next two weeks be sure to SIGN UP IMMEDIATELY.
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keynotes
workshops
seminars
trade show
networking and
Tuesday reception/concert.
Details on IGC Show Tour
Garden Centers of America is coordinating the IGC Show Garden Center Tour on August 18th, 2008. Chicago is a city filled with a vast assortment of garden centers!
This year we will visit:
1) Alsip's Home & Nursery
2) Sid's Home & Garden Showplace
3) Henri's Studios
4) Platt Hill Garden Center
5) City Escape Garden Center
Hotels are already accepting reservations. By clicking on the link above to registration you will also have access to the list of hotels for the event. These prices in Chicago must be booked early! From a Sheraton to a Hyatt and other locations that offer that Chicago flair. Book today! | |
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Contact Info
Shanan Molnar
Garden Centers of America
PO Box 2945
LaGrange, GA 30241
888-648-6463 / 706-298-0287
fax 706-883-8215
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