Gardeners' World Live

BBC Gardeners' World Live (GWL) is a large multi-day gardening related consumer show held each June at the Birmingham NEC,^[1] co-located with the BBC Good Food Show Summer. Open to the general public, the BBC television programme endorsed event typically hosts celebrity focus groups and advice workshops, showcases new product announcements,^[2] show gardens, floral marquee, along with providing retail space to exhibiting parties. Exhibitors have included Thompson & Morgan, Gabriel Ash Greenhouses, Makita tools and many more.

History

The first GWL was held in June 1992. It was a spinoff from the BBC Gardeners' World television series. The event had 17,500 attendees and over 100 exhibitors. Since 2005 GWL has been co-located with the BBC Good Food Show Summer. Until 2015, GWL included RHS Flower Show Birmingham, but after the 2015 Show GWL and RHS parted ways. BBC Gardeners' World Live continues to be one of the country's leading gardening events in 2016 and onwards.

Recent Years

The show attracts an audience of between 90,000 and 100,000 annually. The Audit Bureau of Circulations confirmed the 2010 show's attendance at 101,005. With 564 participating companies^[3] between 16–20 June 2010. In celebration of her 60th birthday formal model and socialite Twiggy was the honorary recipient of a named rose.^[4] Tickets are sold via the NEC's box office, The Ticket Factory.

BBC Gardeners' World Live

Show highlights

In 2016 the show includes Floral Marquee, Show Gardens and BBC Gardeners' World Live Theatre where the TV presenters share their inspiration live on stage, along with Alan Titchmarsh on Friday.

In 2013 the show included the RHS Floral Marquee, BBC Gardeners' World Theatre, The Kitchen Garden Stage, The Design Clinic, Gardening for Wildlife and Show Gardens. For the first time the outside area was brought together under the banner RHS Flower Show Birmingham. Celebrity and expert gardeners included Monty Don, Carol Klein, Joe Swift, Diarmuid Gavin, Cleve West, Toby Buckland, Anne Swithinbank, Matt Biggs and David Domoney.

In previous years the shows featured the Gardeners' World Magazine Theatre, award winning show gardens,^[5] grow your own garden, Floral Marquee and Floristry Master-classes.

Celebrity guests are commonplace with familiar names such as Toby Buckland,^[6] Monty Don, Joe Swift, John Craven, Julia Bradbury, James Martin, Ainsley Harriott and the Hairy Bikers.

Each year prizes for best gardens are bestowed upon exhibitors by visiting celebrities attracting large media attention.^[7]

Rose Dedications - every year a new breed of rose is specifically dedicated and named after a leading public figure. Previous recipients include Phillip Schofield,^[8] Barbara Windsor and Twiggy.^[9]

Sponsors

In recent years, sponsors involved in the Show include

• Lexus: Headline sponsors in 2014, 2015, 2016
• Wyevale Garden Centres: sponsors in 2015, 2016
• GreenThumb; Floral Marquee sponsors in 2016
• Honda
• Thompson & Morgan

Show Dates

• The 2006 show ran from 14–18 June.
• The 2007 show ran from 16–20 June.
• The 2008 show ran from 11–15 June.
• The 2009 show ran from 10–14 June.
• The 2010 show ran from 16–20 June.
• The 2011 show ran from 15–19 June.^[10]
• The 2012 show ran from 13–17 June
• The 2013 show ran from 12–16 June
• The 2014 show ran from 12–15 June
• The 2015 show ran from 11–14 June

See also

• Gardeners' World
• The Ticket Factory
• Monty Don
• NEC
• Royal Horticultural Society
• Chelsea Flower Show
• Tatton Park Flower Show
• BBC Good Food

References

External links

• Official website
• The NEC Birmingham
• The Audit Bureau of Circulation