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We invite all garden centre owners, managers, and staff to join us at the annual IGC Conference & Trade Show on 11th July, at the Kirribilli Club in Sydney, situated on the majestic Sydney Harbour foreshore. We will bring together valued IGC members, garden centre retailers, industry participants, and preferred suppliers of IGC to learn, connect, and explore opportunities.
Our theme this year is Futureproofing Garden Centre Retailing. We will explore ideas and trends that are both complementary to your core business, and options related to garden living & the outdoor lifestyle interests that your customers enjoy.
Our Pre-conference Social Event will be held from 6:30pm on Wednesday 10 July at The Chapel in The Greenwood Hotel at North Sydney. This is within 5 minutes walking distance from The View Hotel.
As in previous years, the Pre-conference Social is a fun-filled evening with friends and colleagues, loaded with joy and laughter, when everyone let’s their hair down and has a great time. We’re intending to have a sing-song this year so bring your best singing voices and dance moves!
A full day (approximately 8:30am – 8:30pm) is planned with keynote speakers, an afternoon trade show and an evening of networking for all participants. This will be an important opportunity for IGC members, our suppliers, and other retailers to come together, to be inspired about their future, and socialise with their supply chain partners and colleagues. The trade show exhibitors will be a mix of IGC preferred suppliers, new brands and products, and ancillary offers that fit in to the ‘backyard/outdoor lifestyle’ category. The day will come to a close after a top evening of networking, fun, canapes and drinks. It will be the cherry on top of a great 24 hours of reconnection with friends & colleagues, professional development, and supplier deals, right in the heart of Sydney.
John Stanley (retail consultant: johnstanley.com.au) will provide his insights in to the next decade, how garden retailing will change the opportunities and challenges, and he will convene an open forum with a small panel of garden centre operators who have expanded their businesses in to ancillary and / or back-yard related categories (pet, pool, entertainment, etc.). This will expose new categories that Australian garden centre retailers are experimenting with, and the opportunities that delegate retailers might consider for their own businesses.
Hear John’s message to all garden centre retailers: click here.
John Pavasovic (Bonnyrigg Garden Centre) is a highly regarded businessman with a passion for gardening and landscaping that spans decades. In 1983, Bonnyrigg Garden Centre became the first in Sydney to feature an approved coffee shop, setting a precedent in the industry. John’s innovative approach has positioned his Garden Centre as a benchmark for the evolving nursery & landscape supplies nationwide. Introducing a health and wellness centre and expanding lifestyle offerings, he has curated a consumer-centric experience tailored to diverse interests, making the Garden Centre a thriving destination point today. John will join the open forum with John Stanley to discuss his ever evolving business in to his ultimate lifestyle retail destination.
Ashley McEwan (The Springs-Toowoomba QLD) established The Spring in 1998 with his wife Marie McEwan, and with the help of their son Cameron. The centre remains proudly locally owned and operated. Beginning as a traditional garden centre, Ashley and his family have added a successful cafe to their business, making it a popular destination in Toowoomba. In addition, they’ve also significantly grown their outdoor furniture offer, and now provide event space for entertainment and celebrations. Ashley will provide you with an overview of his family business & future direction. He will join the two John’s in our open forum.
Charmaine Corcoran will bring an interactive session about the importance of visual merchandising. Charmaine will cover the Customer Journey (Path to Purchase); marketing your garden centre identity with confidence; brand positioning for different demographics; purchasing at various stages of the Plant Life Cycle; signage; ancillary product and how to sell it with key categories. With a focus on consistency in brand delivery to an already tough market, Charmaine will take us through the strategies needed to take your business to the market online, in social media, your front of store, and instore.
Hear Charmaine’s message to all garden centre retailers: click here.
Jordan Borensztajn‘s deep dive in to Marketing to the Next Generations! Each generation has its own characteristics, experiences and perspectives, and completely different languages. Millennials and Gen Z are not just setting trends, but they’re creating them as we speak. You must ensure your marketing messages are effective with your future customers. In this vibrant, high-energy and jam-packed keynote, Jordana will decode each generation. Exploring the traits and values that set us apart, Jordana will show you how to connect, communicate and reach the next generations in a meaningful way; in the language that they both speak and get.
Hear Jordana’s message to all garden centre retailers: click here.
Cheryl Alderman is a part of the furniture with IGC and is best known for her emcee work ay our events as well as various training sessions with IGC members. Cheryl is a Business & Executive Coach, owner of two businesses and a long-term supporter of IGC. She has a deep understanding of the challenges involved for entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders in a business environment. With a positive and dynamic style, she brings her energy into our conferences and actively supports the IGC team.
IGC President, Peter Thorburn (Honeysuckle Garden Mosman & Turramurra | Honeysuckle Park {Production Nursery}.
Hear Peter’s message to all garden centre retailers: click here
Ticket Prices
IGC Members $299 (inc GST) | Early Bird (non-IGC members) $299 (inc GST) ends 31 May 2024 | Late Bird $399 (inc GST).
Accommodation:
Accommodation in North Sydney is plentiful; however, the following hotels are approximately 10-15 minute walk from the conference venue.
The View North Sydney: 17 Blue Street, North Sydney.
For the rate of the day, please book directly on 02 9955 0499 and state that you are attending the IGC conference at the Kirribilli Club or you may visit View Hotels – Sydney.
Meriton Suites, North Sydney
80 Arthur Street North Sydney
Phone: 02 9277 1111
Rates start from $220 for a Skyline King room or $237 for a Bridge King room.
Booking Code is IGC.
Booking link: click here
Meriton Suites, North Sydney | Luxury Accommodation in North Sydney Harbourview Hotel
Delegates are to book and manage their accommodation directly with their chosen hotel.
Your invoice will be issued upon receipt of payment which secures your delegate ticket(s) at the conference.
For Direct Deposits:
Account Name: Independent Garden Centres
Bank: ANZ
BSB 012306
A/C # 189755975
Please ensure you include your trading name in the narration field of your deposit so that it is easily identified.
For exhibitor information and registration, please contact Evan Mueller (evan@independentgardencentres.com.au)
