Be the Best Retailer You Can Be
Join Us for the Unmissable IGC Conference & Trade Show 2025!
Attention all garden center owners, managers, and staff—mark your calendars! On Thursday, 10th July, the annual IGC Conference & Trade Show is set to inspire and energize at Norths in Cammeray (North Sydney Leagues Club). This is the premier event to connect with fellow IGC members, garden center retailers, industry leaders, and preferred suppliers. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and unlock new possibilities for your business.
This Year’s Theme: Be The Best Retailer You Can Be.
Prepare to be inspired as we dive into innovative ideas, emerging trends, and strategies designed to enhance your core business. Explore fresh opportunities in garden living and outdoor lifestyle categories—essentials for delighting today’s customers.
Kick off with our Pre-Conference Social Event!
Start the festivities early at our Pre-Conference Social Event on Wednesday, 9th July, from 6:30 PM at The Chapel, Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney—just a 5-minute walk from The View Hotel, your perfect overnight stay option.
This much-loved tradition promises an evening of camaraderie, laughter, and fun. This year, we’re adding a special twist—a sing-along and dancing! So warm up those vocal cords, polish your moves, and get ready for a night to remember.
Get ready for an action-packed day designed to inform, inspire, and energize! Running from approximately 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM, this full-day program is your gateway to fresh ideas, valuable connections, and exciting opportunities.
The agenda includes:
- Keynote Speakers: Business leaders sharing insights to shape your business future.
- Afternoon Trade Show: Discover a dynamic mix of IGC preferred suppliers, new brands, innovative products, and outdoor lifestyle solutions tailored to your customers.
- Evening Networking: Conclude the day with canapés, drinks, and invaluable conversations with supply chain partners and peers.
This is more than an event—it’s an essential gathering for IGC members, suppliers, and retailers to spark new ideas, connect with colleagues, and reinvigorate your vision for the future.
The trade show promises a curated selection of exhibitors, showcasing everything from trusted favorites to exciting new entries in the backyard and outdoor lifestyle space. As the day winds down, our evening networking session will be the perfect “cherry on top,” wrapping up 24 hours of reconnection, professional development, and supplier deals in the heart of Sydney.
Don’t miss this unparalleled opportunity to elevate your business. Join us and be inspired!
The Plenary Sessions: Your Speakers
Brian Walker
The Retail Doctor: The Steps to Business Fitness™
Looking to grow your business results? In this practical and informative presentation, Brian takes audiences on a journey along his proprietary and proven Steps to Business Fitness™ leaving all audience members with key takeaways to instantly implement after the session. When Brian Walker takes the stage, audiences don’t just leave informed—they depart inspired, invigorated and equipped with actionable insights to elevate their retail performance immediately. At the intersection of retail innovation and future-focused strategy stands Brian Walker, founder and CEO of Retail Doctor Group. Recognised among the Top 50 Global Retail Influencers and Top 10 Australian Retail Influencers, Brian has established himself as the foremost authority on high-performance retail across the Asia-Pacific region. Click to hear Brian’s message.
Discover the Future of Floriculture with Gideon Cox of Ball Australia
Join Gideon Cox, Product Manager at Ball Australia, for an exclusive deep dive into the cutting-edge world of modern floriculture. As a key player in one of the most respected names in the horticulture industry, Ball brings a wealth of expertise in developing high-quality, vibrant, and disease-resistant flower, vegetable, and cut-flower varieties. With years of experience and a deep understanding of global breeding practices, Gideon has been instrumental in shaping the future of home gardening here in Australia.
In this unmissable session, he will share his unique insights into the intricate process of collaborating with world-renowned breeders and innovators to bring next-generation plant varieties to market—designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s gardeners. What makes this session truly special? An exclusive preview of brand-new varieties set to launch in 2026—offering a rare opportunity to see what’s next before it hits the shelves. For growers, retailers, and garden enthusiasts looking to stay ahead of the curve, this is your front-row seat to tomorrow’s horticultural trends. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate home gardener, don’t miss this chance to learn from one of the industry’s foremost expert. Watch Gideon’s conference message here.
Dr. Corey Middleton
Expert in Mental Toughness and High-Performance Thinking
Dr. Cory Middleton, formerly a Sport Psychologist with the Australian Institute of Sport, is a renowned authority on high-performance psychology and mental toughness. With a PhD dedicated to understanding and developing mental resilience, Dr. Middleton has worked closely with over 30 world champions, uncovering the mindset, habits, and strategies that drive elite-level success. His expertise has been pivotal in guiding athletes to achieve their peak potential and win on the world stage.
We are thrilled to feature Dr. Middleton as a speaker at our conference. Drawing from his extensive experience in high-stakes environments, he will delve into the core principles of mental toughness and sustaining high performance—not just for individuals, but for teams and organizations as well.
This session is more than inspirational; it’s actionable. Dr. Middleton will equip you with practical, science-backed tools to navigate challenges, enhance resilience, and maintain focus in the dynamic and demanding world of business. As we prepare for the opportunities and challenges of FY26, this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to gain insights that will transform the way you approach success in both your personal and professional life. Click to hear Cory’s message.
Therese Ravell
Award-Winning Speaker, Consultant, and Small Business Advocate
Therese Ravell is a highly acclaimed speaker and consultant with extensive expertise in people strategy. Known for her pragmatic approach to HR and strategic delivery, Therese is a passionate advocate for small business success and has helped countless teams achieve their full potential. In her presentation, Therese will delve into the art of delivering effective feedback—a cornerstone of building high-performing teams. She will explore why great feedback is essential for success; how to provide constructive, actionable feedback in the right way; and strategies to navigate difficult conversations and ensure that critical messages are clearly communicated and understood.
Whether you’re a seasoned leader or new to team management, this session will equip you with the tools to foster a culture of growth, clarity, and collaboration. Click to hear Therese’s message.
Cheryl Alderman (Business & Executive Coach, Entrepreneur, and Long-Time IGC Supporter)
Cheryl Alderman is a familiar and much-loved presence at IGC events, known for her outstanding work as an emcee and her impactful training sessions with IGC members. As a seasoned Business and Executive Coach and owner of two successful businesses, Cheryl brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders in today’s business environment, Cheryl is uniquely positioned to inspire and guide others. Her positive and dynamic style energizes every conference, and her unwavering support for the IGC team makes her an invaluable part of our community. Click to hear Cheryl’s message.
Leanne Shelton
Grow Your Garden Centre with AI
Featured in The Australian, ABC News, The CEO Magazine, Inside Small Business, 6PR Perth Radio, and various podcasts, Leanne Shelton is CEO, Global AI Coach, and Keynote Speaker at HumanEdge AI Training. She’s also the author of ‘AI Human Fusion’, published by Major Street Publishing.
AI doesn’t have to be overwhelming – or reserved for the tech crowd. In this upbeat and eye-opening keynote, AI trainer Leanne Shelton will show you how garden centres like yours can use AI tools to spark fresh ideas, attract new customers, and make marketing feel a whole lot easier. No jargon. No robots taking over. Just smart, simple ways to get more done (without losing your human touch). Whether you’re a green thumb or just green to AI, you’ll walk away with practical ways to grow your business – one prompt at a time.
Matt Macri – Four Seasons Nursery & Garden Centre (Belrose)
Open Forum Guest – How AI Makes His Life Easier!
Matt was meant to be a landscaper. Then maybe a designer. But somehow, he ended up in garden retail—and never left. With over 20 years in the industry, he’s done it all, from loading bags into car boots and working the checkout to managing the Belrose store and running Four Seasons Nursery’s online presence. He’s passionate about utilising technology to make his work easier and efficient. Come hear Matt at the IGC Conference 2025. Hear from Matt.
Josh Zarb – The Fight for Independent Retail
With 25 years in retail management, Josh Zarb has worked with 500+ retailers and 350+ suppliers. Josh lives to find ways to empower retailers so that they may engage with their consumers in the most unique and innovative ways. The retail world is ever-changing and being innovative is a necessity. It takes raw ideas to stay ahead of the game, and Josh will present these to you on July 10.
With a brilliant team, original ideas can be brought to life that keep our partners ahead of their competitors. Listen to Josh’s message here.
Ticket Prices:
IGC Members $350 per person (inc. GST) | Early Bird (non-IGC members) $365 per person (inc. GST) Early Bird ends Friday 6 June 2025 5pm | Late Bird $450 per person (inc. GST). No refunds.
Accommodation:
Accommodation in North Sydney is plentiful; however, the following hotels are approximately 7 minutes drive 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 Norths Cammeray, or you may visit View Hotels – Sydney.
Meriton Suites, North Sydney
80 Arthur Street North Sydney
Phone: 02 9277 1111
Booking link: Click here
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)
