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Tradeshows in UK

Glee: UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show.

- June 23, 2025 - Team Invest in Brands

Do you love the feeling of a beautifully kept garden, or creating a wonderful outdoor space for family and friends? The world of “garden and outdoor living” is so much more than just plants; it’s about making our outdoor areas extensions of our homes, filled with beautiful things, useful tools, and endless inspiration. If you’re a garden centre owner, a landscaper, a supplier of garden products, a plant nursery, or simply someone deeply involved in this green and growing industry, then Glee is the event you absolutely must attend. It’s not just a show; it’s the “UK’s leading garden and outdoor living trade show,” where businesses bloom and the latest trends take root!

Imagine stepping into a massive exhibition hall, filled with vibrant colours, fresh scents, and innovative designs for every garden space. You’ll discover the newest plant varieties, see stylish outdoor furniture, explore smart tools that make gardening easier, and find exciting decorations that bring a garden to life. This show is all about connecting you with the best products, the most inspiring ideas, and the most passionate people in the garden world. It’s your chance to pick up practical tips, find reliable suppliers, and get truly excited about what’s next for outdoor living. Get ready to cultivate new business!

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

Ready to grow your garden and outdoor living business? Here are the key details for Glee in Birmingham:

  • Location: NEC Birmingham, United Kingdom. The National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is a huge, well-known venue located just outside the vibrant city of Birmingham. Its spacious halls and fantastic transport links make it the perfect setting for such a large and inspiring industry event.
  • Dates: Mark your calendars for September 16th to September 18th, 2025. This is a three-day event, giving you plenty of time to explore the many different zones, attend valuable talks, and make important connections.
  • Timings:
    • Tuesday, September 16th, 2025: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    • Wednesday, September 17th, 2025: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
    • Thursday, September 18th, 2025: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (The last day often closes a bit earlier).
  • Cost: Access to Glee is designed specifically for trade professionals:
    • Free-to-Attend: The great news is that Glee is generally FREE to attend for genuine trade professionals who pre-register online. This includes retailers (garden centres, high street stores, DIY stores, online retailers), landscapers, garden designers, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, and media involved in the garden and outdoor living sector. You will need to provide your business details during registration to receive your complimentary trade pass.
    • On-Site Registration: While pre-registration is free, if you decide to register on the day at the venue, there might be a small administrative charge (always best to check the official website for any specific fees). It’s always a good idea to pre-register online to save time and avoid any queues or potential fees.
    • Children Policy: Glee is a professional trade event. While specific rules may vary, it’s generally recommended that children under 16 years old do not attend due to the business focus and the nature of the exhibits. If you absolutely must bring a child, it’s best to check the show’s policy on their official website beforehand.

Getting There and Finding a Place to Stay

The NEC Birmingham is known for being incredibly well-connected, making your journey to Glee straightforward:

  • By Train: The easiest and most recommended way to get to the NEC is by train to Birmingham International station. This station is directly connected to the NEC via a covered walkway (called the “Bridgelink”), meaning you don’t even need to go outside. Birmingham International has excellent connections to major cities like London (Euston), Birmingham New Street, and various locations across the UK.
  • By Car: The NEC is situated close to the UK’s main motorway network (M1, M5, M6, M40, M42), making it very accessible by car from all directions. Use the postcode B40 1NT for your sat nav. There are over 16,500 parking spaces on-site, and a free shuttle bus service usually runs between the car parks and the venue during show hours. You can often pre-book parking online to save money and time.
  • By Air: If you’re flying into Birmingham, Birmingham Airport (BHX) is literally next door to the NEC. You can walk or take the free “Air-Rail Link” monorail directly from the airport terminal to Birmingham International train station, which then connects to the NEC.
  • By Bus/Coach: The Birmingham International Interchange (next to the train station) is a hub for local bus services and national coach services (National Express, Megabus), offering connections to various parts of Birmingham and across the UK.

When it comes to finding a place to stay, the area around the NEC and Birmingham offers a wide variety of choices:

  • On-Site / Closest to NEC: For ultimate convenience, there are several hotels located directly on the NEC campus or within a very short walk. These are perfect for those who want to be first on the exhibition floor each morning. Look for options like the Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Genting Hotel at Resorts World Birmingham, Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC, Moxy Birmingham NEC, Holiday Inn Express Birmingham NEC, and ibis Styles Birmingham NEC & Airport.
  • Resorts World Birmingham: Located right next to the NEC, Resorts World offers not just the Genting Hotel but also a range of restaurants, bars, a cinema, and shops, providing entertainment options after the show.
  • Birmingham Airport Area: Many hotels are clustered around Birmingham Airport, offering a quick shuttle ride or walk to the NEC, and often good value.
  • Birmingham City Centre: For those who prefer to experience the city’s vibrant nightlife, dining, and attractions, staying in Birmingham city centre is a great option. It’s just a 10-15 minute train ride from Birmingham New Street station directly to Birmingham International/NEC. There’s a huge selection of hotels to suit all budgets.
  • Booking Tip: Glee is a very popular and important event in the garden and outdoor living calendar. Hotels, especially those closest to the NEC, can get booked up very quickly, and prices may rise closer to the dates. 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 provides information or links to accommodation partners.

The Big Benefits: Why You Absolutely Should Be There

Why should you carve out time in your busy schedule for Glee? The advantages are immense for any business in the garden and outdoor living sector:

  • Unrivalled Sourcing for All Needs: This is your largest marketplace for everything “garden and outdoor living.” You’ll find thousands of products across countless categories and specially curated “show sectors,” making it easy to find exactly what you need to stock your shelves:
    • Plants: Discover the newest plant varieties, trees, shrubs, and horticulture solutions from nurseries across the UK and internationally.
    • Garden Care: Explore everything from fertilizers, pesticides, and plant food to innovative tools, watering systems, and essential equipment for garden maintenance.
    • Landscaping & Garden Decoration: Find ideas and products to transform outdoor spaces, including paving, aggregates, garden structures, pots, planters, sculptures, and lighting.
    • Outdoor Entertaining: See the latest in outdoor furniture, BBQs, fire pits, outdoor heating, and accessories to create perfect al fresco dining and lounging areas.
    • Home, Gift & Clothing: Discover products that bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor living, featuring home decor items, gifts for garden lovers, and garden-related clothing and footwear.
    • Pet Products: Explore the growing market for pet-related items that enhance the outdoor experience for our furry friends, from pet beds to outdoor toys.
    • Retail Experiences & Services: Find forward-thinking solutions for your retail business, such as store fittings, point-of-sale technology, marketing services, and visual merchandising ideas.
  • Discover Cutting-Edge Innovation: Glee is a true hub for “garden and outdoor living innovation.” You’ll be among the first to see groundbreaking new products, sustainable solutions, and emerging concepts that are shaping the future of the industry, giving you a crucial competitive edge.
  • Experience Products First-Hand: Online Browse is helpful, but at Glee, you can physically see, touch, and even demonstrate products. You can feel the quality of furniture, inspect the sturdiness of tools, and truly assess how a product will look and perform in person. This is vital for making smart buying decisions.
  • Meet Your Suppliers Face-to-Face: Build strong, personal relationships with existing suppliers and discover many new ones. Chat directly with manufacturers and distributors, discuss your specific needs, negotiate deals, and get a real feel for the people behind the products. Strong relationships often lead to better terms and dedicated support.
  • Gain Industry Insights & Learning: Benefit from a packed programme of free, expert-led seminars, engaging live demonstrations, and insightful panel discussions on dedicated stages. Learn from industry leaders on vital topics such as market trends, sustainable practices, merchandising tips, consumer buying habits, and strategies for year-round garden centre profitability.
  • Unrivalled Networking: Glee brings together a diverse range of professionals from across the entire garden and outdoor living industry. Meet thousands of fellow garden centre owners, retailers, landscapers, and suppliers. Build valuable partnerships, share experiences, and explore potential collaborations that can drive your business forward. Special networking events like “Buyer Connect” sessions offer speed networking opportunities.
  • The New Product Showcase: This dedicated area is a fantastic “shop window” where you can quickly see all the latest and most exciting new products launched by exhibitors, often before they hit the market. It’s a great way to spot best-sellers.
  • Co-Location with Autumn Fair (from 2026): Starting from 2026, Glee will co-locate with Autumn Fair, the UK’s leading home, gift, and fashion exhibition. This strategic move means that future visits will offer even broader “cross-sector buying opportunities,” allowing you to access a wider range of complementary products and trends, maximizing your time and investment.
  • Championed by the Industry: Glee is strongly supported by key industry trade associations like GIMA (Garden Industry Manufacturers Association) and the HTA (Horticultural Trades Association), ensuring the content and exhibitors are highly relevant and beneficial to attendees.
  • Inspiration and Innovation: The show is brimming with ideas. Seeing how different companies display their products, the trends emerging from various sectors, and hearing from inspiring speakers will send you home brimming with new ideas for your own business.

Attending Glee isn’t just about placing orders; it’s about making tangible steps towards business improvement and growth. It’s an incredible chance to learn, connect, and discover everything you need to cultivate a stronger, more vibrant, and more successful future for your garden and outdoor living business. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of the UK’s leading event for the industry!

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

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