Founded in 2008. The Landscape Juice Network (LJN) is the largest and fastest growing professional landscaping and horticultural association in the United Kingdom.
LJN's professional business forum is unrivalled and open to anyone within within the UK landscape industry
LJN's Business Objectives Group (BOG) is for any Pro serious about building their business.
For the researching visitor there's a wealth of landscaping ideas, garden design ideas, lawn advice tips and advice about garden maintenance.
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ive had a right busy- almost crap day. starving now so i must go and hunt some food.............
Then it became the Hard Landscaping Show & World of Paving. These are two areas that I really wanted to gain a greater understanding of and to have the opportunity to talk to a selection of professionals – Not quite the same as chatting to the chap at the local building supply company!
I appreciated a little while back that the number of exhibitors would be fairly limited and not to expect the likes of Marshalls to be present so I did go with my eyes fully open.
I was also tipped off the day before that the show looked a little thin on the ground and more worrying that the organisers have failed on their promise to have my special request of bacon and avocado rolls.
Upon arrival just before 10 AM I walked around the show three times (probably in as many minutes) and then popped out side to check my voicemail messages. On first impressions I was totally disappointed but upon reflection I think it was more to do with being seduced by the show title.
Once back in side and having chatted with a few contacts I visited the trade stands and found that unlike the larger shows they actually had the time for you and were very keen to offer help and advice without directly trying to sell you their products.
The LJN exhibitors were wonderful, in no order of importance, Fenland Phil, Helen Nock, Chris Nangle, and Quercus Fencing – stunning pieces of work were on display - at most of the larger trade shows you wouldn’t get to see their work. I wouldn’t have any hesitation to recommend them to any of my clients just a little concerned about how I would approach the subject of memorial benches! And mustn’t forget Claudia even if she didn’t have any pictures of my client garden on display!
Of course Jackson Landscape Designs and Exterior Decking / Stone were there in force – you couldn’t miss their banners! My colleague wanted to purchase some decking for when he purchases his floating gin palace and didn’t stop talking about it on the drive home. I was seduced by the Kubota stand.
Another big benefit was the networking and meeting up with new and old acquaintances including the lads from the Garden Surgery very briefly.
I didn’t watch any of the presentations and the one that I did catch a quick glance as I walked past sounded like he lacked excitement in his presentation skills and he would of sent me to sleep!
Full credit however must go to the event organisers; it couldn’t have been easy given the economic climate and launching a brand new show. Yes I would of liked to of seen a few more retail stands to part with some of my money and perhaps a wider spread of exhibitors.
Yes there were some disappointments, mainly that I wished I could of stayed longer but wanted to dash back home to attend my friends funeral but sadly we spend too long trying to find a petrol station and then delayed in traffic.
I learnt quite a lot from the show today and in addition that Coventry has limited number of open petrol stations, according to the caters there is little call for avocados and that the Geometrics and GIS show attracted a lot more female visitors. And I now also have a greater appreciation of surveying.
Would I still of attended given the above? 60 / 40 on that one, I really did enjoy it, it was a 200 mile round trip and days lost of business / income but there are some things you can’t put a price on. I hope that the show will be back next year and attractive a few more exhibitors without becoming too commercial.
If you are thinking of attending on Thursday, don’t be seduced by the show title, check out the exhibitors list off the Hard Landscaping Show web site and if you see one or two companies that interest you it will be well worth the visit, just don’t expect to get an avocado in your roll.
Everyone I spoke to - LJN members and others really were singing the show praises or certainly gave that impression.
Part of the attraction I think was the actual size of the show hall and a steady flow of vistors. Really had a nice friendly feel to it.
On reflection I wish I could of attended some of the presentations but sadly lack of time.
Despite there being no evidence that the hard landscaping awards had taken place, a news item on Hort Week says that Claudia de Yong, Kerry Jackson and The Gardenmakers, have all been short listed from a list thirty landscaping companies - the result will be announced today (why wasn't this announced before the show so the winners name could be seen, together with photographs of their work on both day?
I hope to see a full list of those who entered.
Well done to Dave and Tim, Claudia and Kerry though :-0))
I would like to think that the show organisers will have a something to say on that but judging by the comments from a lot of the exhibitors yesterday it was very positive and keen to rebook for next year (of course they might of been paying lip service). By all accounts the show was well attended again today.
As I wasn't expecting too much I wasn't disappointed. Unlike other shows, every exhibitor could have been of interest to me.
I managed to source a couple of products and got an insight into some other things that may be useful in the future and it was great to put a couple of names to LJN faces. I thought i would recognise a few more in the aisles due to their sciatica limp but they were disguising it well.
For me the venue was perfect, an hour and a half drive each way, easy parking and with no queing for buses. I don't like paying for parking at events but compared with Ecobuild £20 I think, £3 was fair.
Hopefully next year there will be more exhibitors. I would like to see the larger suppliers there but not to the detriment of the smaller independents who offer something different. It would be good to try and expand the Artisan Avenue too
For those who entered designs for the awards, I think the organisers could have done something promote it, even if it was just some pictures of the entries displayed on a stand.
I will go next year if its on.
Simon @ The Perfumed Garden
The winner was Maxine Tricker of Maxine Tricker Garden design, congratulations Maxine.
Thanks to everyone who visited us and who entered the draw.
It was nice to put faces to names and meet some really nice people.
I have much to to say about the last couple of days and will do so in due course, along with plenty of images.
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