Pet trade bodies attend Glee summit meeting
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Pet trade organisations this week attended a summit meeting in London aimed at safeguarding the future of Glee and other trade shows.
Representatives of the Pet Care Trade Association and OATA were present at the meeting on Tuesday which had been organised by the Garden Industry Manufacturers' Association.
In a statement after the meeting GIMA said: "The recent meeting with trade associations representing both suppliers and retailers in the gardening, leisure, DIY, aquatics, pets, houseware and giftware sectors was very positive.
"The forum enabled the different associations to exchange views on the nature and scope of trade events and how they can work together more closely to ensure that exhibitions support our industry sectors effectively."
GIMA are encouraging people in the industry to complete their Glee questionnaire over the next few days – it is available on line via the GIMA website www.gima.org.uk
Alternatively, GIMA Director Neil Gow asks industry members to email any points of views, opinions and ideas direct to him at neilgow@gima.org.uk
"It would be great to get comments from people working in the pet trade," said Neil. "The questionnaire may appear by be biased towards gardening but the views of the pet industry are valid too."
"It just underlines the importance of Glee to the industry that so many trade associations, who have perhaps not been the best at all pulling together over recent years, will give their time to come to this meeting to put forward and discuss the views of their members," said Nigel Thomson, GIMA President and Sales Director at Stewart Garden.
"We are really pleased at the response, and to have garden and leisure products, gifts, DIY, housewares, pet and aquatic products and export trade associations represented.”
Although no Glee show organisers were present at the meeting, Richard Baker, Group Operating Director for i2i Events and responsible for Glee, said: “As exhibition organisers we really value the close working relationship we have with GIMA and the other trade associations in the garden and outdoor living sector.
"By listening and acting upon relevant market feedback, Glee continues to evolve to ensure it is always 100% relevant to the very sector it targets. We have always taken the view that we need the industry to be active stakeholders in the show and decide what they want to achieve from their trade event, knowing that we are best placed to help deliver it.
"In recent years, we have seen the passion that so many people in the industry feel. Now what is needed is this passion being harnessed with the industry all pulling together. It will make it a stronger, better industry and one that with a coming together of views will be well placed to take on the challenges of the next 30 years."
Picture caption: Neil Gow of GIMA (right) with trade representatives attending the summit meeting.
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