Independent Garden Center Show (IGC Show)

Vendors educate IGC owners, managers and buyers about their latest products to the IGC industry.

The Independent Garden Center Show (IGC Show) is held every year in Chicago, IL, in the United States. It was created by husband-and-wife founders and producers Jeff and Cheryl Morey, who are also co-directors of Garden Centers of America (GCA)[1] and Publishers of IGC Magazine.[2] The IGC Show is the world’s largest trade show, conference and networking event for independent garden center owners, managers and buyers. It is geared toward independents only - no big-box stores are represented or allowed into the event. It is not open to the public.[2]

The IGC Show presents an expansive and carefully selected showcase of garden center products available at wholesale from around the world. It is a juried show - this means that every exhibiting company has been meticulously screened to ensure the products offered for sale are relevant to independent garden centers.[2]

IGC retailers have access to over 30 hours of educational sessions at the IGC Retail Conference, covering a range of topics important to IGCs at both IGC Shows.

In addition to the trade show, the IGC Show features an educational conference on topics relevant to garden centers, such as customer service, inventory, signage, social media, store design, advertising and more. Each day before the trade show opens, a keynote speaker, who is a prominent figure in the garden center industry or an expert in business or a related field, starts the day with inspirational insights. A party and concert is also part of the IGC Show experience as a way for retailers to network with their peers in a fun, casual atmosphere.[2]

History

Aerial view of the IGC Chicago trade show floor, August 18–20, 2015.

The first IGC Show was held on August 21–23, 2007, at Chicago’s Navy Pier, and IGC Show continues to convene at this waterfront venue each year. The mission of the IGC Show is “to further the success and profitability of the independent garden retail sector.”[2]

In 2014, the show organizers started hosting the IGC Show at a second location for the industry’s Eastern market. In 2014, IGC East convened August 5–7 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.[3] In 2015, IGC East relocated to the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, MD.[4] In 2016, the East Coast event will relocate to the Valley Forge Casino Resort August 2–4 following a sufficient level of concern from attendees and exhibitors about ongoing tensions in Baltimore.[5] It featured a new format targeting the special interests of Eastern IGC retailers with regionally focused keynotes, educational conference sessions and networking opportunities, including Tuesday evening’s concert.[6] To more precisely convey this Eastern niche focus, the event took on a new name: EIGC – The Eastern Show for IGCs.[5] Gloria Gaynor was the featured performer in a special retro disco live concert on Tuesday night at EIGC.[6]

IGC Show marked its 10th anniversary celebration at Navy Pier, August 16–18, 2016.[5] REO Speedwagon was the featured live concert on Tuesday.[6]

IGC Show reconvenes at Chicago's Navy Pier, August 15–17, 2017.[7]

IGC Show is the world's biggest buying and education event for independent garden centers.

Dates & Locations

Keynotes

Entrepreneur and lifestyle icon Martha Stewart sat down with Jeff Morey for a one-on-one interview keynote at the 2014 IGC Show in Chicago, IL.

2016 - Corey Bordine, Consultant for MonkeyBar Management and former president of Bordine Nursery

2016 - Mike "Da Coach" Ditka, Pro Football Hall of Fame Legend & Analyst for Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown[6]

2016 - Amanda Thomsen, Kiss My Aster Garden Blogger[16]

2016 - Bruce Crawford, Director of Rutgers' Gardens, Rutgers University's arboretum & public garden

2016 - Jonathan Bardzik, Chef & Garden Cookbook Author

2016 - John Tierney, The New York Times Science Columnist

2015 – Martha Stewart, Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Entrepreneur, Author and Lifestyle Icon[17]

2015 – Marcus Lemonis, Entrepreneur & Star of CNBC’s The Profit[9][18]

2015 – Robert Hendrickson, Business Story Developer for Next New Planet, Marketing Service Provider for The Garden Center Group, and IGC Magazine columnist[9]

2015 – Lloyd Traven, President of Peace Tree Farm

2015 – Ernest Wertheim, Father of Modern Garden Center Design and Principal of Wertheim, Van Der Ploeg, & Klemeyer[9]

Pro Football Legend Mike Dikta brought his ACE plan to attendees at the 2016 IGC Show.

2014 – Martha Stewart, Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Entrepreneur, Author and Lifestyle Icon[10]

2014 – Corey Bordine, Consultant for MonkeyBar Management and former president of Bordine Nursery[10]

2014 – Willie Degel, Owner of Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse and Host of Food Network’s Restaurant Stakeout

2014 – Henry Hutcheson, President of Family Business USA and IGC Magazine columnist[10]

2014 – Peter Shankman, Founder and CEO of The Geek Factory, Professional Speaker and Author

2013 – Taniya Nayak, Designer, TV Personality and Host of HGTV’s House Hunters on Vacation[11]

2013 – Peter Shankman, Founder and CEO of The Geek Factory, Professional Speaker and Author[11]

2013 – John Stanley, Global Garden Retail Expert and IGC Magazine columnist

2012 – Rick Bayless, Celebrity Chef[12]

2012 – Corey Bordine, Consultant for MonkeyBar Management and former president of Bordine Nursery[12]

2012 – Joe Lamp’l, Founder of The Joe Gardener Company, Garden Writer, Author and Host of GardenSmart and Fresh from the Garden[12]

2012 – Joseph Pine, Co-founder of Strategic Horizons and Starizon Studio, and Co-author of The Experience Economy: Work is Theater & Every Business a Stage[12]

2011 – P. Allen Smith, Author, TV Personality and Host of P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home and P. Allen Smith Gardens

2011 – Paco Underhill, Founder of Envirosell, Author and Professional Speaker

2011 – Larry Winget, Author, TV Personality and Professional Speaker

2010 – Howard Bloom, Author of Why Michael Moore is Dead Wrong About Capitalism

2010 – Corey Bordine, Consultant for MonkeyBar Management and former president of Bordine Nursery

IGC retailers tour all the best garden centers that the surrounding areas have to offer during the IGC Show Monday Garden Center Tour, the day before the IGC Shows trade show floors open.

2010 – Jamie Durie, Host of HGTV’s The Outdoor Room

2010 – Josh Viertel, President of Slow Food USA

2009 – Robert Hendrickson, Business Story Developer for Next New Planet, Marketing Service Provider for The Garden Center Group, and IGC Magazine columnist

2009 – John Moore, Marketing Mastermind behind Starbucks and Whole Foods

2009 – Dr. Patrick Moore, Co-founder of Greenpeace

2008 – Corey Bordine, Consultant for MonkeyBar Management and former president of Bordine Nursery

2008 – Diarmuid Gavin, President of Diarmuid Gavin Designs

2008 – Dick Hayne, CEO of Urban Outfitters

2008 – John Kinsella, Managing Director of Terrain

2008 – John Stanley, Global Garden Retail Expert and IGC Magazine columnist

2007 – Susie Coelho, Host of HGTV’s Outer Spaces

2007 – Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute

2007 – Charles Fishman, Author of The Wal-Mart Effect

2007 – Robyn Waters, Author of The Trendmaster’s Guide

Rock legends REO Speedwagon gave an up-close-and-personal performance for IGC Show's 10-year celebration in 2016.

Concerts

Founders

Jeff Morey, along with his wife, Cheryl, is the Founder and Producer of the IGC Show, entering its 10th year, with annual events in Chicago and in the East. Jeff is the Co-director, with Cheryl, of Garden Centers of America, the nation’s only association focused exclusively on the needs of independent garden centers.[2] As the hands-on second-generation CEO and Publisher of IGC Magazine, the garden center industry's leading B-2-B publication, Jeff carries on the tradition of editorial excellence founded by his late father, Richard Morey. He draws upon 40-plus years of experience, which includes business development, marketing and editorial direction, to inspire the IGC industry to think outside the box.[2] Jeff is known for his targeted on-stage interviews with today’s thought-leaders, including Martha Stewart, Greenpeace Co-founder Dr. Patrick Moore, best-selling author and retail visionary Paco Underhill, and lifestyle celebrities such as P. Allen Smith, Jamie Durie and U.K. garden design genius Diarmuid Gavin. He has appeared on BBC television in the U.K.

IGC Magazine

IGC Magazine, the garden center industry's leading business-to-business publication for more than 60 years, is known for its coverage of the important business issues impacting garden centers nationwide.[19] From what’s hot now to the trends on the horizon, the real-world editorial focus gives independent garden center owners the tools they need to help them increase profits in their stores. The magazine is published bi-monthly.[19]

Garden Centers of America (GCA)

Garden Centers of America (GCA) is the nation’s only association focused exclusively on the needs of independent garden centers.[20] The association provides means of networking, touring other garden center facilities, monthly e-newsletters, member profiles, and coverage of the horticulture and floriculture industry nationwide to ensure its members have all the tools necessary to run a successful garden center business.[20]

References

  1. 1 2 "IGC Show and GCA Reach Exclusive Agreement | Lawn & Garden Retailer". www.lgrmag.com. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "F.A.Q. About IGC Show". IGC Show. a2z, Inc. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 Tropics, Dc (2014-08-12). "DC Tropics: IGC East: a new trade show for independent garden centers". DC Tropics. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  4. ↑ Beytes, Chris (30 September 2015). "IGC Show Coverage: Double Vision". Green Profit Magazine. Ball Horticultural Company. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Sparks, Brian (3 November 2015). "New EIGC Eastern Show in Philadelphia Switches Location to Valley Forge Casino Resort". Greenhouse Grower Magazine. Meister Media Worldwide. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Online registration open for 2016 EIGC and IGC Show Chicago - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  7. 1 2 "Horticulture Events". Horticulture Events. Horticulture Events. September 1, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Independent Garden Center (IGC) Show". Hardware Retailing. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "IGC Show 2015 wraps up in Chicago - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "8th Annual Independent Garden Center Show | Navy Pier". Navy Pier. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  11. 1 2 3 "August 20-22: The 2013 Independent Garden Center (IGC) Show - Fafard". Fafard. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "The IGC Show Preview | Lawn & Garden Retailer". www.lgrmag.com. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  13. ↑ "BLACK GOLD – All the riches of the earthIndependent Garden Center Show 2012 at Navy Pier in Chicago". blackgold.bz. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  14. ↑ "Coming to Chicago: The Independent Garden Center Show!". Garden Rant. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  15. ↑ "Save the Date: Independent Garden Center Show | Lawn & Garden Retailer". www.lgrmag.com. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  16. ↑ "10 highlights and takeaways from the 2016 IGC Show Chicago - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2016-10-10.
  17. ↑ Stewart, Martha (7 August 2015). "Independent Garden Center Show East 2015". Martha Up Close & Personal. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Learning better business from 'the Profit' - Garden Center Magazine". Garden Center Magazine. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  19. 1 2 "IGC Magazine". Everything IGC. SpinWeb. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  20. 1 2 Wertheim, Ernest. "History of GCA". Garden Centers of America. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
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