AMERICA'S ONLY ASSOCIATION DEDICATED SOLELY TO THE NEEDS OF INDEPENDENT GARDEN CENTERS

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GCA Member Lunch Buffet Registration Is Open

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

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The Gardens at The Ridge Is Customers Home Away From Home

Nestled in the tranquil hill country of Kerrville, TX, The Ridge Marketplace boasts a charming atmosphere, two on-site eateries, an event venue and an independent garden center to draw visitors from miles and miles away. "It's all about the community here . . . . . . .

Upcoming GCA events

IGC Show 2018

August 14, 2018

Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
Private GCA Member Lounge at IGC Show

August 14, 2018

Room 320, Navy, Pier, Chicago, IL
GCA Member Lunch at IGC Show 2018

August 15, 2018 11:30 AM

Room 320, IGC Show, Chicago, IL

GCA Best garden center bathroom awards

Garden Centers of America’s (GCA) Best Garden Center Bathroom Awards, now in their eighth year, recognize IGC retailers whose restrooms contribute to the store’s favorable shopping experience. Independent garden centers are encouraged to submit their garden center bathrooms, including, but not limited to, recent renovations and remodels, for this prestigious juried competition.

The deadline for entries has been extended to July 13 at midnight EDT.

The winner of the top honor, the Gold Award, will receive a plaque and one free registration for next year’s GCA Summer Tour 2019. Other recognitions will include a Silver Award and Awards of Merit.

To enter the competition, garden centers should send several photos of their store bathrooms, saved in jpeg file format, along with a brief paragraph about the bathrooms, the concept behind the designs and their benefits to the garden center. This information, along with the name of the store and key contact, address, phone and e-mail address, should be e-mailed to: BestBathrooms@GardenCentersofAmerica.com.

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Highlights from gca summer tour seattle!

From trendy urban garden boutiques to established independents and a nursery/winery combo with a view of Mount Rainier, the 2018 GCA Summer Tour got a behind-the-scenes look at all kinds of stores in the Pacific Northwest hot spot!

Whether it be networking with other IGC retailers on the bus or talking with managers at each garden center stop, these attendees took back so many new ideas to try out at their stores. Here's what they had to say:

"What a GREAT event! This was my first tour, and I got so much out of it. From taking back ideas to my team to creating new connections with so many wonderful leaders in our industry, it was time well spent," says Vincent Scavone, Retail General Manager, Hicks Nurseries, Westbury, NY

Click below to see what other IGC retailers shared from their GCA Summer Tour experiences.

INDUSTRY BUZZ:
igc show 2018

Big plans are in motion for IGC Show 2018, August 14-16 at Chicago's Navy Pier. Building on the momentum of success from last summer, event organizers are busy at work, lining up an all-new marquee billing of big name keynotes – including Daymond John of ABC’s hit television series Shark Tank and retail consultant Bob Negen, who's bringing his "Ultimate Marketing Plan" for indies that he's crafted over two decades as a small independent business owner. IGC Show’s trade show, three morning keynotes and Tuesday’s party and concert with The Marshall Tucker Band are free if you register now at www.IGCShow.com. Early bird savings are currently in effect for the Continuing Education @ IGC conference and the IGC Show Store Tour. Registration is now open.

"The IGC Show filters out what doesn't apply to our garden center business. When I go to other markets, my brain hurts because I have to sort through everything to find what works for us. Not so here," says Keith Kershaw, Owner, Landon's Greenhouse & Nursery, Sheridan, WY

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it pays to be a part of garden centers of america!

When you're a member of Garden Centers of America - the only association dedicated to the needs of independent garden centers - you receive exclusive discounts and benefits, such as:

Access to GCA Summer Tour discounts
$260 off the Continuing Education @ IGC All Access Pass
$100 off the IGC Show Store Tour
Access to the GCA Member Lounge during the IGC Show
Catered lunch buffet Wednesday in the GCA Member Lounge during the IGC Show
Preferred seating and two free drink tickets at Tuesday's Party & Concert with The Marshall Tucker Band
Year-round digital content full of business tips and the hottest retail trends, from the Garden Retail Trends Report and GCA E-Newsletter

Click below for more information or to become a member of GCA!