Feb 13, 2007
Around The IndustrySource: Various

STEPABLES Offers Photo Contest

Under a Foot Plant Company and its national brand of creeping perennials, STEPABLES, announced the creation of its “Best In Sole” photo contest, offering independent garden centers the chance to win $2,500 for a local charity.

Nationwide independent garden centers carrying the line of plants are eligible to participate by submitting digital images of their STEPABLES retail displays using the Good For Your Sole Point of Purchase materials and display gardens featuring STEPABLES varieties.

The winner will also receive a press release campaign regarding the winning photo and garden center and a feature interview on the STEPABLES Web site (www.stepables.com). The contest is open to all authorized STEPABLES garden centers carrying the plant line. STEPABLES will be providing participating garden centers with a select number of “Best in Sole” T-shirts and wristbands.

Photos are eligible for submission March 1 through June 1, 2007. Entries may be E-mailed to [email protected].

The winner will be announced June 15, 2007. A check presentation ceremony will be held at the winning garden center where Under A Foot Plant Company will make a $2,500 donation in the winner’s name to the approved local charity of choice.

Visit www.stepables.com for additional contest rules and regulations.

Home & Garden Showplace Partners With Lawn And Garden Yellow Pages

Home & Garden Showplace announced it will collaborate with Lawn and Garden Yellow Pages (www.lgyp.com) to reach consumers through the Internet. The alliance enables Home & Garden Showplace to enhance its brand, align its marketing based on consumer behavior and attract new customers on a more local level.

Through the partnership, listings for each Home & Garden Showplace independent garden center member will be posted on lgyp.com. In addition, Home & Garden Showplace will offer its members the option to upgrade online listings at discounted rates.

Oregon Grower Recognized

Dave Van Essen, owner of Van Essen Nursery, Lebanon, Ore., has been the named the first recipient of the Spring Meadow Nursery Proven Winners ColorChoice Innovation Award. Van Essen received the award during a reception on Jan. 18, 2007, held in conjunction with the 2007 Mid-America Horticulture Trade Show.

The Innovation Award is presented to a licensed partner of the Proven Winners ColorChoice brand in recognition of forward thinking and creativity, particularly in marketing the Proven Winners ColorChoice brand.

Van Essen received the Innovation Award trophy, a replica of Rodin’s famous “The Thinker” sculpture, which will be engraved with his nursery’s name. In addition, he was awarded a certificate to display permanently at the Van Essen Nursery, a full-page advertisement in a trade or regional consumer publication, premium placement on the ColorChoice Web site and a gift basket for his staff.