GCA announces virtual regional meetings

Members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) will still be able to get together for their regional meetings in a virtual capacity this year (2021).

The meetings will kick off for the South Thames area on Wednesday, January 27, followed by a joint meeting for the Midlands and Wales & West areas on Thursday, January 28.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our area meetings will still go ahead this year online. All our members are welcome to participate. They may be slightly different in style to our normal face-to-face meetings and may cover different topics, given the times we’re currently living in, but most importantly, they offer members the chance to air their views and discuss them with peers in the industry.

“Just some of the topics on the agenda to discuss include current trading, plans for 2021, issues surrounding import challenges, Brexit and Phytosanitary legislation and environmental matters, including the peat debate.”

The area meeting for the North Thames will take place on Thursday, February 4. The meetings for the North West and North East areas are confirmed for Wednesday 3rd February 2021.

Iain added: “We held our first online meeting in November 2020, for our Scotland and Northern Ireland areas and more meetings will take place later in the year. Previously, it’s been hard for members in these areas to meet due to distance but now we’re all meeting online, it’s become easier for members to get together again.

“Anyone wishing to attend their local area meeting, should email their Area Chairman or the GCA office on info@gca.org.uk.

“Many GCA members have said that the meetings are one of the biggest benefits of membership. They are a fantastic motivational and management tool and really keep staff on their toes, making sure they are always doing their absolute best.”

For further information, please call 01244 952170. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association.