After a twelve month absence and intensive review of the awards program the Nursery & Garden Industry Awards make their return this June. The awards program provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognise excellence in business, and now, superior products and services within the industry.

“This year will see the introduction of exciting new categories and we’ve given the favourites in the production and retail sectors a make-over,” said Craig Norman, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia President.

“The categories for media suppliers, allied products and the future leaders of industry have been individualised and streamlined. Additionally, the criteria have been reviewed to operate in line with the industry’s strategic plan and current awareness objectives.”

These positive changes have been incorporated to modernise the awards process and be inclusive of all sectors within our industry. 

2014 will also see the introduction of a refined judging process which acknowledges the best entries in each State and overall. And, we are proud to say, that our program is one of the only programs in the world that continues to provide onsite judging for national finalists of the grower and retail categories.

The categories open for entry in 2014 are:

-       Best Specialty Garden Centre
-       Best Lifestyle Garden Centre
-       Best Group Garden Centre
-       Best Government Nursery
-       Best Small Production Nursery
-       Best Large Production Nursery
-       Best Propagation Nursery
-       Best Growing Media Supplier
-       Greenlife Infrastructure Award
-       Industry Innovation Award
-       Allied Product of the Year
-       Plant of the Year
-       Heather Rumsey Young Leader Award

Entries for the 2014 Nursery & Garden Industry Awards open on Monday 24 June 2013 and will culminate with national winners being announced at the famous Industry Gala Dinner which concludes the National Conference in Sydney on Thursday 13 March 2014. 

Entries Open: 24 June 2013

Entries Closed: 12 August 2013

Submission Judging: August – October

State Winners announced: October – December

National Finalists announced: 6 January 2104

National Judging: January – February

National Winners announced: 13 March 2014

Category descriptions and criteria are available online at www.ngiaevents.com.au/awards2014.  For more information contact Kobie Keenan on (02) 8861 5100 or via email at kobie.keenan@ngia.com.au.