Independent Garden Center Show

The Independent Garden Center Show (IGC Show) is held every year since 2007 in Chicago, IL, in the United States.

Vendors talking to visitors

History

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The IGC Show was created by Jeff and Cheryl Morey, co-directors of Garden Centers of America (GCA)[1] and publishers of IGC Magazine.[2] The first IGC Show was held in 2007, at Chicago's Navy Pier.[2]

In 2014, IGC East convened at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.[3] In 2015, IGC East relocated to the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD.[4] In 2016, the East Coast event relocated to the Valley Forge Casino Resort.[5][6]

IGC Show 2018 reconvened at Chicago's Navy Pier.[7] In 2019, citing ongoing construction at the Navy Pier, the show was moved to McCormick Place.[8][9]

IGC Show 2019 was hosted in the Lakeside Center at McCormick Place.[10]

Description

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The IGC Show is one of the largest shows for independent garden center owners, managers and buyers. The show is not open to large retail chain competitors or the general public.[2]

The IGC Show presents garden center products available at wholesale. It is a juried show so every exhibiting company has been screened to ensure the products offered for sale are relevant to independent garden centers.[2]

 
Education session

In addition to the trade show, the IGC Show hosts an educational conference on topics relevant to garden centers, such as customer service, inventory, signage, social media, store design, advertising, and more. Each day before the trade show opens, a keynote speaker starts the day.[2]

The IGC Show provides a networking area. "Shop Talk" Retail Discussions, facilitated by a moderator, provide discussion on topics including marketing strategies, minimum wage increases, and younger customers .[11]

 
Shop Talk" Retail Discussions in the IGC Networking Lounge

IGC show provides a special area of vendor exhibits for companies that are new to the IGC Show and garden center industry. The New Product Zone features new products and plants submitted by vendors all across the show's exhibit space.

The 2019 show unveiled the IGC Retail Lab, a retail symposium and interactive design forum. It is designed to help IGC owners turn their stores into gathering spaces that capitalize on the most popular consumer trends.[12]

Contest

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In 2017, the Best New Product and the Best New Plant awards contest was started. Garden center retailers voted for their favorite new products and plants.[13]

Best new product

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Best new plant

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  • 2017 - first place Regal Petticoat Maple from Sester Farms in Gresham, OR; the second place 'Gold Breeze' Zebra Grass from Hortech in Spring Lake, MI.[7]
  • 2018 - the first place Hollywood Hibiscus from J Berry Nursery of Grand Saline, TX; the second place Endless Summer Hydrangeas Summer Crush from Bailey Nurseries of St. Paul, MN.[14]
  • 2019 - first-place Best New Plant plant arrangement of Yellow Star, Large Capitata Maroon and Tropiflora from Russell's Bromeliads of Clermont, FL; the second-place First Editions Iceberg Alley Sageleaf Willow from Bailey of St. Paul, MN.[15]
 
IGC Show

Previous shows

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Keynote speakers

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Daymond John
  • 2016 – Mike Ditka,[6]
  • 2016 – Amanda Thomsen, Kiss My Aster Garden Blogger[32]
  • 2016 – Bruce Crawford, Director of Rutgers' Gardens, Rutgers University's arboretum & public garden
  • 2016 – Jonathan Bardzik, Chef & Garden Cookbook Author
  • 2016 – John Tierney, The New York Times Science Columnist
  • 2015 – Martha Stewart[33]
  • 2015 – Marcus Lemonis[19][34]
  • 2015 – Robert Hendrickson, Business Story Developer for Next New Planet, Marketing Service Provider for The Garden Center Group, and IGC Magazine columnist[19]
  • 2015 – Lloyd Traven, President of Peace Tree Farm
  • 2015 – Ernest Wertheim, Principal of Wertheim, Van Der Ploeg, & Klemeyer[19]
  • 2014 – Martha Stewart[20]
  • 2014 – Corey Bordine[20]
  • 2014 – Willie Degel
  • 2014 – Henry Hutcheson, President of Family Business USA and IGC Magazine columnist[20]
  • 2014 – Peter Shankman
  • 2013 – Taniya Nayak, Designer, TV Personality and Host of HGTV's House Hunters on Vacation[21]
 
r Martha Stewart with Jeff Morey during an interview keynote at the 2014 IGC Show .
  • 2013 – Peter Shankman[21]
  • 2013 – John Stanley, IGC Magazine columnist
  • 2012 – Rick Baylessf[22]
  • 2012 – Corey Bordine[22]
  • 2012 – Joe Lamp’l, Founder of The Joe Gardener Company, Garden Writer, Author and Host of GardenSmart and Fresh from the Garden[22]
  • 2012 – Joseph Pine, Co-founder of Strategic Horizons and Starizon Studio, and Co-author of The Experience Economy: Work is Theater & Every Business a Stage[22]
  • 2011 – P. Allen Smith
  • 2011 – Paco Underhill, Founder of Envirosell, Author and Professional Speaker
  • 2011 – Larry Winget
  • 2010 – Howard Bloom,
  • 2010 – Corey Bordine
 
IGC retailers tour garden centers in the surrounding areas
  • 2010 – Jamie Durie
  • 2010 – Josh Viertel, President of Slow Food USA
  • 2009 – Robert Hendrickson, Business Story Developer for Next New Planet, Marketing Service Provider for The Garden Center Group, and IGC Magazine columnist
  • 2009 – John Moore, Marketing executive for Starbucks and Whole Foods
  • 2009 – Dr. Patrick Moore, Co-founder of Greenpeace
  • 2008 – Corey Bordine
  • 2008 – Diarmuid Gavin, President of Diarmuid Gavin Designs
  • 2008 – Dick Hayne, CEO of Urban Outfitters
  • 2008 – John Kinsella, Managing Director of Terrain
  • 2008 – John Stanley
  • 2007 – Susie Coelho
  • 2007 – Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute
  • 2007 – Charles Fishman, Author of The Wal-Mart Effect
  • 2007 – Robyn Waters, Author of The Trendmaster’s Guide
 
REO Speedwagon performed in 2016.

Concerts at IGS shows

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Founders

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  • Jeff Morey and Cheryl Morey
  • IGC Magazine[37]
  • Garden Centers of America (GCA) [38]

References

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  1. ^ a b "IGC Show and GCA Reach Exclusive Agreement | Lawn & Garden Retailer". www.lgrmag.com. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  2. ^ a b c d e "F.A.Q. About IGC Show". IGC Show. a2z, Inc. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  3. ^ a b Tropics, Dc (2014-08-12). "DC Tropics: IGC East: a new trade show for independent garden centers". DC Tropics. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  4. ^ Beytes, Chris (30 September 2015). "IGC Show Coverage: Double Vision". Green Profit Magazine. Ball Horticultural Company. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  5. ^ a b c Sparks, Brian (3 November 2015). "New EIGC Eastern Show in Philadelphia Switches Location to Valley Forge Casino Resort". Greenhouse Grower Magazine. Meister Media Worldwide. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  6. ^ a b c "Online registration open for 2016 EIGC and IGC Show Chicago - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  7. ^ a b c "Buyers and vendors excited by order-writing focus of 2017 IGC Show". Garden Center Magazine. August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "IGC Show to move from Navy Pier". Garden Center Magazine. October 11, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "IGC Chicago 2019(Chicago IL) - 13th Independent Garden Center Show - showsbee.com". www.showsbee.com. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  10. ^ "IGC Show Features Opportunities for Product Research, Networking". Hardware Retailing. 2019-08-16. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  11. ^ a b c d "2017 IGC Show keynotes offer applicable advice, inspiration - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
  12. ^ "IGC Show unveils new 'IGC Retail Lab' interactive design forum". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  13. ^ "IGC Show introducing ballot voting on exhibitor offerings - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2017-08-29.
  14. ^ a b "IGC Show". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  15. ^ a b magazine, Garden Center (2019-08-14). "Congratulations to the winners of this year's #IGCShow best new product and best new plant awards!pic.twitter.com/9sW8nOXlur". @gardencentermag. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  16. ^ "Independent Garden Center Show". 10times.com. Retrieved 2019-08-21.
  17. ^ "Horticulture Events". Horticulture Events. September 1, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  18. ^ "Independent Garden Center (IGC) Show". Hardware Retailing. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  19. ^ a b c d e "IGC Show 2015 wraps up in Chicago - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  20. ^ a b c d e "8th Annual Independent Garden Center Show | Navy Pier". Navy Pier. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  21. ^ a b c "August 20-22: The 2013 Independent Garden Center (IGC) Show - Fafard". Fafard. Archived from the original on 2015-11-22. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  22. ^ a b c d e "The IGC Show Preview | Lawn & Garden Retailer". www.lgrmag.com. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  23. ^ "BLACK GOLD – All the riches of the earthIndependent Garden Center Show 2012 at Navy Pier in Chicago". blackgold.bz. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  24. ^ "Coming to Chicago: The Independent Garden Center Show!". Garden Rant. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  25. ^ "Save the Date: Independent Garden Center Show | Lawn & Garden Retailer". www.lgrmag.com. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  26. ^ "IGC Show | Keynotes". www.igcshow.com. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  27. ^ "IGC Show | Keynotes". www.igcshow.com. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  28. ^ "IGC Show 2019 announces first of three keynotes". Garden Center Magazine. January 2, 2019.
  29. ^ "Retail expert Bob Negen to deliver IGC Show 2018 keynote address - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  30. ^ "'Shark Tank's' Daymond John Will Talk Business Success in IGC Show Keynote - Lawn & Garden Retailer". Lawn & Garden Retailer. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  31. ^ "Dr. Charlie Hall will forecast the future of garden center retailing during the IGC Show - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  32. ^ "10 highlights and takeaways from the 2016 IGC Show Chicago - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  33. ^ Stewart, Martha (7 August 2015). "Independent Garden Center Show East 2015". Martha Up Close & Personal. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  34. ^ "Learning better business from 'the Profit' - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  35. ^ "IGC Show 2019 registration now open". Garden Center Magazine. November 13, 2018.
  36. ^ "The Marshall Tucker Band Will Perform at IGC Show - Lawn & Garden Retailer". Lawn & Garden Retailer. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  37. ^ "IGC Magazine". Everything IGC. SpinWeb. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  38. ^ Wertheim, Ernest. "History of GCA". Garden Centers of America. Retrieved 16 November 2015.