Anyone designed/exhibited in Hampton court?

I have a design for a show garden in Hampton court based on the interview that I did with Phil a couple of months back and I am in need of a few bits of advice. Namely how to attract sponsors for a totally unknown garden designer all the way over in N Ireland. Have people gone in cold with a portfolio under the arm and the designs in the other hand to meet with the corporate types?

I have had experience with designing and building several show gardens over here, but then it was easier as I knew the suppliers and was able to borrow product and get donations.

The design is all sorted and the only thing I'm lacking is an initial backer. Andrew Wilson has even looked at the initial designs and I have made the adjustments that he suggested.

Any suggestions/help volunteers welcome.

Have you entered your design to the RHS yet? Has it been accepted? If you can get a conceptual angle to your design and enter it into that category, you will get £6k towards build costs (if selected).

If you get a relevant charity involved, even if they don't have funds for you, it may be easier to obtain sponsorship/materials/help from other companies and individuals. Think about the type of people who go to Hampton Court (the RHS has tonnes of stats for exactly these purposes) and target relevant companies.

Try to find the right person in the organisation to contact, as random emails to front desk won't get you far. Also talking on phone or in person is harder for them to ignore that an email, but have all the information they'll need ready to email straight away (pdf files of plans etc. not just links to websites).

Be prepared to slog away at this for a while and don't get too discouraged. There'll be a point where you'll just have to go for it and hope it works out, which it probably will. Will be hard work, but worth it.

Replies

Benedict Green September 14, 2012 at 12:02pm

Have you entered your design to the RHS yet? Has it been accepted? If you can get a conceptual angle to your design and enter it into that category, you will get £6k towards build costs (if selected).

If you get a relevant charity involved, even if they don't have funds for you, it may be easier to obtain sponsorship/materials/help from other companies and individuals. Think about the type of people who go to Hampton Court (the RHS has tonnes of stats for exactly these purposes) and target relevant companies.

Try to find the right person in the organisation to contact, as random emails to front desk won't get you far. Also talking on phone or in person is harder for them to ignore that an email, but have all the information they'll need ready to email straight away (pdf files of plans etc. not just links to websites).

Be prepared to slog away at this for a while and don't get too discouraged. There'll be a point where you'll just have to go for it and hope it works out, which it probably will. Will be hard work, but worth it.
Ian Price September 14, 2012 at 4:11pm

Thanks for that - didn't realise that there is financial assistance available for the conceptual garden category. I haven't submitted it as the application process isn't open yet.

I've started putting together a project pack that I can send as email and on cd to possible supporters and Hampton Court are finishing off last years statistics which I'll add to the pack.

Charities are interested in the garden as it tells the story of depression, but aren't willing to commit financially or with other resources until others do.

I would imagine that other more recognised designers are approached by charities as allowed to this instance when the design cart comes before the charity horse.

Would be helpful to have a show garden experienced contractor on board also. Any interested parties please give me a shout on ian@ianpricedesign.com