IGC Chicago Sees Success
As the IGC Show wrapped its 10-year anniversary celebration at Chicago’s Navy Pier, independent garden center owners, managers and buyers got back to their businesses, inspired with best practices to put to work at their stores and excited to bring the host of new products they found on the trade show floor to their customers in the months ahead.
New product and show specials drew order-writing buyers to the festival hall – with the most first-time attendees since the event’s launch in 2007.
Mike Zaffaroni, owner of Liberty Landscape Supply in Fernandina Beach, Florida, told show floor staffers, “I’m from Florida, and I attend some of the regional industry trade shows. I’ve seen the IGC Show ads in industry publications, and decided I really needed to attend this year. I’m so glad I did.”
Christine McMeekin, vice president of Quality Gardens in Valencia, Pennsylvania, said, “I decided to come for the first time this year because of the educational sessions – I really needed inspiration, and I sure got it here.”
Attendance from longtime fans of the show was brisk as well, and many exhibitors are reporting record sales from orders written at their booths.
“This is our 10th year of attending the IGC Show – the best industry show by far,” said John Loyet, owner/buyer, Greenscape Gardens in Ballwin, Missouri. “It is the only show we go to. We find so many new products and ideas for our store.”
Melissa Barr, owner of Barr Evergreens in Crumpler, North Carolina, said, “The IGC Show is a shopper’s paradise. We always buy product for our retail Christmas tree and pumpkin lots while we’re here.”
Networking and fun were the focus at Tuesday evening’s birthday bash and concert, as REO Speedwagon brought the house down with their super-charged live performance. Confetti brought the party to a rousing close, raining down on a record crowd of more than 1,200 concert-goers, who danced and sang along to “Keep On Rolling,” “Take It On the Run” and a full set list of more hits from REO.
“The best part for me was when the lead singer – my friend Kevin Cronin, from back in the day – told the audience that independent garden centers are what help make America great,” says Jeff Morey, founder and CEO of the IGC Show. “The band flew in from Tampa, where they performed the night before, largely because they believe in the power and importance of independent retailers. They really get it, and it made the night that much more special for everyone.”
The audience leaned in and laughed during the interactive morning keynotes from Mike Ditka and Amanda Thomsen, packing the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier to near capacity. When asked by a member of the audience what he thinks of Tom Brady and “deflategate,” Ditka responded in his trademark no-holds-barred manner, “Tom Brady is the best player out there. He doesn’t need to cheat to win. He’s too good for that. I don’t agree with the commission on suspending him. That’s my opinion.” The audience responded with a standing ovation. After her hilarious keynote that used humor to kick IGCs in high gear to reach younger customers, Thomsen signed copies of her book and spent the next days touring the show floor.
IGC Show returns to Chicago’s Navy Pier with an all-new lineup of presenters and special plans in store Aug. 15-17, 2017. More details will be announced soon.
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