Glee Trade Show: Premier event for garden and outdoor living products, connecting buyers and suppliers.

Do you remember how much joy a vibrant garden can bring? Or the comfort of a beautifully set-up outdoor living space? The world of gardening and outdoor living is constantly growing, with new trends, clever products, and fresh ideas blooming every season. For anyone involved in this exciting industry – whether you’re a garden center owner, a landscaping professional, an online retailer, or a keen buyer – staying ahead of the curve is key to delighting your customers and making your business flourish. If you’re looking to explore the very best of what the garden and outdoor living world has to offer, then the Glee Trade Show is the event you absolutely cannot miss. It’s the UK’s premier gathering, a vibrant marketplace where the entire industry comes together.

Imagine stepping into a huge, colourful exhibition, filled with everything from stunning plants and innovative garden tools to stylish outdoor furniture and unique giftware. This show is your golden ticket to “discover new products” that will fly off your shelves, explore exciting “outdoor living products” that captivate customers, and connect directly with “buyers and suppliers” to build valuable relationships. It’s all about giving you the insights, the products, and the connections you need to grow your business and keep your customers coming back for more.

Your Essential Guide: Where, When, and What It Costs

Ready to cultivate success in the garden and outdoor living sector? Here are the key details for the Glee Trade Show:

Location: The NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom. The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is one of the UK’s largest and most modern exhibition venues, ideally located for visitors from across the country.
Dates: Mark your calendars for September 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2025. It’s a comprehensive three-day event, giving you plenty of time to explore all the sectors, attend seminars, and build important connections.
Timings:
- Tuesday, September 16th, 2025: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, September 17th, 2025: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday, September 18th, 2025: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cost: Access to the Glee Trade Show is generally designed to be very beneficial for trade visitors:
- Free-to-Attend: The fantastic news is that Glee is typically FREE to attend for genuine trade visitors. This includes retailers (garden centres, DIY stores, online retailers, department stores), landscape designers, interior designers, architects, wholesalers, distributors, and media. You’ll need to register online beforehand with your business details to receive your free digital ticket.
- On-Site Registration: While you can often register on-site, it’s always best to pre-register to save time and avoid any queues when you arrive.
- For those who don’t fit the trade visitor criteria, there might be a small fee, but the vast majority of attendees enter for free.

Getting There and Finding a Place to Stay

The NEC Birmingham is known for its excellent transport links, making your visit as smooth as possible:

By Train: The NEC has its very own train station, Birmingham International, which is directly connected to the exhibition halls via a covered walkway. There are frequent and fast services from London Euston (around 1 hour 10 minutes) and many other major UK cities. This is often the quickest and most convenient way to arrive.
By Car: The NEC is located at the heart of the UK’s motorway network, just off the M42 and easily accessible from the M6, M5, and M40. There is ample parking available on-site, though there’s usually a daily charge. Using the postcode B40 1NT for your Sat Nav will take you directly there. You can often pre-pay for parking online to save money and time.
By Bus/Coach: Many national coach services travel to Birmingham Coach Station, from where you can take a local train or taxi to the NEC. Local bus services also connect the NEC to Birmingham city centre.
By Air: Birmingham Airport (BHX) is literally next door to the NEC, connected by a free ‘Air-Rail Link’ monorail system that takes just minutes to reach Birmingham International train station (and thus, the NEC). This is incredibly convenient for international or long-distance UK visitors.

When it comes to finding a place to stay, the area around the NEC offers a variety of accommodation options:

On-site/Near the NEC: There are several hotels located directly on the NEC campus or within a very short walk, providing ultimate convenience for early starts and late finishes. Look for names like the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC, Novotel Birmingham Airport, ibis Styles Birmingham NEC & Airport, and Genting Hotel Resorts World Birmingham (which is connected to Resorts World, offering dining, a casino, and entertainment).
Birmingham City Centre: Just a short train ride away (around 10-15 minutes from Birmingham International to Birmingham New Street station), Birmingham city centre offers a much wider selection of hotels, from luxury to budget, along with a huge array of restaurants, shops, and attractions. This is a great option if you want to explore the city in the evenings.
Booking Tip: Glee is a major annual event attracting thousands of buyers and suppliers. Hotels, especially those closest to the NEC, can get booked up quickly. It’s highly recommended to book your accommodation well in advance – ideally several months before the show – to secure the best rates and your preferred location. The official Glee website often partners with specialist accommodation agencies to provide discounted hotel options and flexible cancellation terms exclusively for attendees, so always check there first.

The Big Benefits: Why You Absolutely Should Be There

Why should you clear your schedule for the Glee Trade Show? The advantages are immense, whether you’re a long-standing business or just starting out:

For Retailers (Garden Centres, Independents, Multiples, Online Stores):

Discover New Products & Trends: Get a first look at thousands of new products, innovative designs, and emerging trends across all sectors of gardening and outdoor living. This includes garden care, plants, landscaping, outdoor entertaining, home & gift, pet products, and even food & catering. Be among the first to bring the next big thing to your customers.
Meet Hundreds of Suppliers: Connect directly with a vast range of suppliers, from established brands to exciting new startups. This is your chance to build relationships, negotiate deals, compare offerings, and secure the best stock for the upcoming seasons.
Exclusive Show Offers: Many exhibitors provide special discounts, bundles, or deals exclusively for attendees during the show. This can lead to significant savings on your purchasing.
Source Smartly: With various curated zones, you can efficiently find exactly what you need, whether it’s sustainable options, Made in Britain products, or specific garden machinery.
Stay Ahead of the Competition: Gain vital market insights and understand what your competitors might be stocking. This knowledge is invaluable for refining your own strategy.

For Landscapers, Designers, and Property Developers:

Innovative Materials & Designs: Explore the latest in landscaping materials, garden structures, outdoor lighting, and design concepts that can elevate your projects.
Supplier Relationships: Build direct relationships with manufacturers and distributors of high-quality outdoor living products and materials.
Trend Inspiration: Discover current and future trends in garden design and outdoor spaces, giving you fresh ideas for client projects.

For Suppliers and Brands (Exhibiting):

Targeted Audience: Glee connects you directly with thousands of qualified buyers from garden centres, online retailers, multiples, and more, all under one roof. These visitors come specifically to source products.
Launch New Products: It’s the perfect platform to unveil your latest innovations, getting immediate feedback and generating buzz across the industry.
Brand Awareness: Increase your brand’s visibility and reputation within the gardening and outdoor living sector.
Forge New Relationships: Secure new accounts, meet potential partners, and expand your distribution network.
Nurture Existing Customers: Strengthen relationships with your current clients, showing them your latest offerings and reinforcing loyalty.
Market Intelligence: Gain invaluable insights into market demand, competitor activities, and emerging trends by being present and observing.

Beyond the Booths: The Glee Experience!

Dedicated Show Sectors: Glee is carefully organized into distinct sectors, making it easy to navigate and find exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s Plants, Garden Care, Outdoor Entertaining, Home & Gift, or the new PAW (pet and animal wellbeing) and DIY & Home Improvement zones.
Educational Content: The show often features free-to-attend seminars and talks covering vital topics like retail trends, marketing strategies, sustainability in gardening, and consumer behaviour. Learn from industry experts and thought leaders.
Innovation Zone/New Product Showcase: Discover areas specifically dedicated to highlighting the very newest and most innovative products entering the market, giving you a glimpse into future bestsellers.
Networking Events: Glee offers fantastic opportunities for informal and sometimes formal networking, allowing you to connect with peers, share experiences, and build valuable professional relationships across the entire industry.
The Green Heart: A popular central feature dedicated to live plants, showcasing the very best of British and international horticulture.
Inspiring Displays: Exhibitors often create stunning and creative displays, providing inspiration for your own retail merchandising.

Attending the Glee Trade Show isn’t just about buying and selling; it’s about being at the heart of the gardening and outdoor living community. It’s an incredible chance to learn, connect, and discover everything you need to make your business thrive and bring even more joy to gardens and homes everywhere. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this essential event!

To learn more and register for your free visitor pass, visit the official website: https://www.gleebirmingham.com/