The GIMA Awards are to return in November
Having been cancelled in 2020 the GIMA Awards, the main industry social event of the year, is to celebrate its 40th anniversary on November 11th.
They will be held as before at the Celtic Manor Resort, celebrating not just a return to normality but also the best that the garden retail sector has to offer.
GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “We could not be happier to confirm that the annual awards ceremony will be back later this year. I know how missed the event has been, so being able to confirm its return is a very special moment for us.
“This year’s awards may be a little later in the year than we are used to but that won’t stop us celebrating in style! We are very much looking forward to throwing open the doors to Celtic Manor once again and being able to celebrate the incredible hard work that our suppliers have achieved in the face of adversity over the past two years.”
Despite Covid, suppliers have stayed busy creating exciting new product, marketing and merchandising innovations throughout the 2020 and 2021 season. These launches and initiatives are what will be celebrated in a glittering night of awards and merriment, with all of the usual award categories – including the GCA Supplier of the Year (GCA), Gardenex Export Achievement and the Sword of Excellence for best new product (last won by Primeur in 2019) – to be won.
A new Sustainability award will also be joining the line up to recognise a product, business initiative, or wider business ethos that demonstrates how suppliers are successfully driving the sustainability agenda.
Entry is now open!
Entry to the 2021 GIMA awards is now open. This year, the entry criteria has been extended to cover both the 2020 and 2021 season, giving suppliers the chance to showcase efforts that may have been missed during the pandemic. The closing date for entries will be 28th May, with the judging process taking place at the end of June at Warwick Racecourse.
This year’s judges will include representatives from Bents Garden & Home, British Garden Centres, The Gardens Group, Altons Garden Centre, Dobbies and Wickes.
To find out more... visit www.gima.org.uk