Apr 5, 2012
IGC Show and GCA Reach Exclusive AgreementSource: IGC Show

Garden Centers of America (GCA) has approved an exclusive agreement with IGC Show founders to carry on GCA programs and activities under the IGC banner.

Garden Centers of America (GCA) has approved an exclusive agreement with IGC to carry on GCA programs and activities under the IGC banner, led by Jeff and Cheryl Morey, whose independent garden center dedicated entities include the IGC Show.

Strengthened by the independent vision and reach of the IGC banner, Garden Centers of America, LLC will operate independently as a separate entity under the GCA name. The GCA board will act as the group’s Leadership Council, providing valuable insights to make GCA even more relevant to its membership through expanded programs and offerings sponsored by IGC.

“It’s strength in numbers,” Jeff Morey says. “Garden centers will discover more ways to combine forces to out-market, out-merchandise, out-manage and out-profit the mass merchants. Together, there is no limit to the successes we can achieve.”

“We’re already at the table, planning big things for GCA’s membership,” says Kris Shepard, President of GCA. “We’re so excited about the opportunities this new venture brings to independent garden centers across America.”

Registration is currently underway for GCA’s Summer Tour, offering a behind-the-scenes look at seven highly successful retailers in Detroit, June 25-29. Themed “Get Your Motor Runnin,'” the tour will visit Bordine’s, Deneweth’s Garden Center, Begick Nursery and Garden Center, English Gardens, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland and Ray Weigand’s Nursery and Garden Center, among others. A special session by Zing Training on customer service will be featured. To reserve your tour seat, visit www.gardencentersofamerica.org.

Benefits to GCA members attending the IGC Show include discounted IGC University Passports and preferred seating and free drink tickets at the IGC Classic Rock Series Concert featuring Dennis DeYoung, lead singer and songwriter of Styx.