Garden Center web news and social media highlights from January

GIE Media, Inc. has announced the promotion of Nick Collins to publisher of the Ornamental Media Group, which includes these award-winning publications: Garden Center, Greenhouse Management, Nursery Management and Produce Grower. Collins will manage the business operations of the titles, including the print and digital components, as well as the conference business across the group.

Collins joined GIE Media in January 2011 as a regional account manager. He was promoted to national sales manager for Greenhouse Management and Produce Grower in 2017, then was named national sales manager for the Ornamental Media Group in 2018.

“I’m extremely honored and excited to have the opportunity to help lead GIE Media’s Ornamental Media Group and serve the greenhouse, nursery and independent garden center markets,” Collins says. “The commitment each brand continues to achieve has positioned the group as the leading media company in each vertical market. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the horticulture industry and I look forward to helping the industry grow their business for years to come.”

Collins will report directly to Group Publisher Jim Gilbride.

“Nick has spent almost a decade of his career entrenched in the greenhouse, nursery and garden center markets. He will remain solely focused on these industries and ensure that our corporate commitment to the markets remains dedicated and strong,” Gilbride says.

“Nick is the right person for the job to make sure that the quality of our product remains solid in these markets, and that we continue to stay ahead of the curve to remain the number one media company providing education and communication.”

Garden Center Executive Summit Spotlight

In 2019, the brightest minds in the industry gathered in Denver for the Garden Center Executive Summit to share ideas and trade tips. See highlights and takeaways from the event, and we’ll see you in New Orleans, Feb. 3-5, for the 2020 summit! See it here.

Garden Center Trivia

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION:

Vanilla bean comes from the pod of what flower?
Check back next month in this space for the answer!

Last month’s question and answer:

Question: What semi-parasitic holiday plant with leathery leaves and small white berries must obtain water and minerals from its host plant, but can produce food for itself?

Mistletoe

1.CNGA blanket drive surpasses goal

The “Tree Wrap for the Homeless” program collected 451 blankets for six shelter organizations from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. Read it here.

2. Gardener’s Supply Company acquires Massachusetts garden center

The retired owners will aid Gardener’s Supply Company with the transition through the spring season. Read it here.

3. The Society of American Florists takes a stand on deceptive trade practices

A new policy prohibits retailers from purposely using false advertising methods against consumers. Read it here.

4. Best practices for homepage banner videos

Video footage of your garden center can provide customers with insight into your operations before they even visit the store. Read it here.

5. 2019’s Top plant performers

For our 2019 compilation of trial garden results, managers from across the U.S. submitted what performed best in their region in eight different categories. Read it here.