CHICAGO – Three days of action-packed buying and selling, 50-plus hours of retail education and world-class entertainment at IGC 2012 highlighted the show’s sixth successful run this summer at Navy Pier. Independent garden center retailers and vendors alike are calling the IGC Show the industry’s only must-attend event, combining the biggest trade show of its kind with a conference program that brings together 35 of retailing’s leading minds.
“Each year, we are so energized by the enthusiasm seen across the trade show hall and upstairs in the classrooms,” says Jeff Morey, IGC Co-Founder and Publisher of IGC Retailer. “To see the order-writing on the show floor and be a part of the thought-provoking discussions in the IGC Know2Grow Retail Conference sessions is amazing.”
“What we want to do with the show is bring together everything IGC retailers need to succeed at the show - and the same is true for everything we do,” says Cheryl Morey, IGC Co-Founder and Publisher of Garden Chic. “The rallying response to the IGC Show’s trade show, conference, bus tour, concert and networking events is a tremendous blessing for the industry as a whole.”
The buzz and excitement resonated across the country and around the world. Bloggers on-site at the show connected with more than a half-million gardening consumers via Twitter, talking up the hottest gardening trends spotted in the 1,000 vendor booths on the main show floor and in the New Vendor Zone. Total verified attendance came in at 6,706, representing visitors from 49 states and 20 countries.
Plans are already under way for IGC 2013, which returns to Navy Pier August 20-22, 2013. Show organizers are in discussions with a lineup of new keynote speakers, and fresh tracks are taking form for the IGC Know2Grow Retail Conference next summer. Legendary rockers 38 Special - featuring Donnie Van Zant, brother of Lynryd Skynyrd’s iconic founding front man, the late Ronnie Van Zant - have already signed as the free IGC Show Classic Rock Concert for 2013.
IGC Industry Buzz!
“IGC is unquestionably the best show in the industry.” - Charles Wasson, President, Kay Berry, Saxonburg, PA
“I am so impressed by the speakers at the IGC Know2Grow Retailer Conference. I attend a lot of different trade shows in Canada and the United States, and Rick Segel this year was the best speaker I’ve ever heard. He gave me wonderful ideas that will make my business grow and flourish.” - Christine Martin, Buyer, Cindy’s Home & Garden, Kingsville, ONT, Canada
“IGC just keeps getting better and busier!” - John Anderes, President, The Pallina, Red Wing, MN
“There was such a variety of vendors at IGC. It was easy for us to purchase and make plans for our 2013 season.” - Cheryl Schatzman, Owner, Country Flower Farms, Middlefield, CT
“I love the IGC Garden Center Bus Tour. We’ve gone every year. Not only do you get to see the garden centers, you’re on the bus and you get to meet the people around you and talk.” - Valery Cordrey, Owner, East Coast Garden Center, Millsboro, DE
“The positive mood at IGC is infectious!” - Michael O’Russa, President, Rome Industries, Peoria, IL
“IGC is a great gathering of unique vendors, time-tested growers, industry experts, motivational speakers and a uniquely diverse group of retailers. We always come away with so many new products and ideas.” - Greg Gold, Owner, Miller’s Ace Hardware, McMurray, PA
“IGC is where we make most of our buying decisions.” - Jody Lay, Buyer, Heinz Brothers Greenhouse, St. Charles, IL
“IGC is the perfect combination of high-quality customers in a very colorful, upbeat environment. We do a lot of trade shows, and IGC is the best by far.” - Bill Harpole, Director of East Coast Sales, Sunlight Supply, Vancouver, WA
“Dennis DeYoung’s concert was great fun. He put on a good show. It was a very good time.” - Patti Fry, Buyer, Prairie Gardens, Champaign, IL
“IGC is awesome! There are always lots of new products and vendors, and the speakers are great. I come home revitalized and ready to take on a new season.” - Kathy Matousch, Assistant Manager, The Siebenthaler Co., Centerville, OH
“We love IGC! All season long, our customers say what a unique selection of products we have. We will never miss a year - IGC is far too important to our retail business.” - Christine Christen, Christen Farm Nursery, Onalaska, WI
“IGC is a huge part of our success. It put us on the map and introduced us to the garden world. We’re grateful!” - Kerrie Rosenthal, Co-Owner, The Seed Keeper Company, Hoffman Estates, IL
“We loved the IGC Know2Grow Retail Conference. We took in all of Kyle Lacy’s social media sessions.” - Theresa Cassidy, Farm & Garden Station, Ivyland, PA
“IGC is the industry’s best show. I find new vendors that I’ve never seen before. I’ve done the IGC Know2Grow Retail Conference classes every year and learn something new each time.” - Patti White, Owner, Green’s Produce & Plants, Arlington, TX
“It’s nice to see so many new companies in the New Vendor Zone. There are vendors at IGC that you won’t find anywhere else.” - McIntosh Greenhouse & Garden Center, Goshen, IN
“IGC reignites the passion we have for the garden center industry.” - Babette Frisella-Briagas, President, Frisella Nursery, Defiance, MO