Garden Press Event 2026: Full Speaker Programme

29 January 2026

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and GIMA are excited to announce the full speaker programme for the Garden Press Event, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

The must-attend event for garden press and media professionals is held at the Business Design Centre in Islington on 17 February 2026. This year, more than 90 exhibitors will showcase their wide range of gardening products to visitors, making the event SOLD OUT.

Hundreds of members of the press and media have already pre-registered to attend the event, giving them the unique opportunity to meet and connect with the horticultural industry and to plan content for the year ahead.

Speaker programme

The speaker line-up for the Collaboration & Innovation Zone at the Garden Press Event 2026 is as follows:

• 9.30am - Welcome and Introduction to the 20th Anniversary Garden Press Event

With Fran Barnes, HTA Chief Executive and Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director

• 10.30am - Jonny Hincks (@GardenWithJonny) - From Firefighter to Content Creator: Building an Audience Through Authenticity

A full-time firefighter and ITV Content Creators Award-winning gardening influencer, Jonny’s humorous, self-deprecating approach has won him a devoted online following. He’ll share highlights of his journey and reveal what’s in store for 2026.

• 11.30am - Step-by-Step Gardening with David Domoney at Blue Diamond’s Bridgemere Show Gardens

Chartered Horticulturist and broadcaster David Domoney and Managing Director of the Blue Diamond Garden Centre Group, Alan Roper, have joined forces to produce a new programme, exclusively available on YouTube. Each episode of “Step-by-Step Gardening with David Domoney” explains all aspects of gardening in an easy-to-follow format, with the goal of engaging and empowering viewers to tackle and enjoy the pursuit of gardening.

• 12.00 - BBC Gardeners’ World Live & Fairs

Join the team to hear more new news and the upcoming delights to expect at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live & Fairs this year. Hear from BBC Gardeners’ World’s Claire Vennis as she shares the highlights across the Spring Fair, NEC Show and Autumn Fair.

• 12.30pm - Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh: One Year On. How we grew a digital channel from Zero to 25 million views

Matt Young is the Executive Producer of "Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh", Alan Titchmarsh's official digital channel. In just 10 months, the channel has been watched by over 27 million people worldwide on all platforms, has amassed over 235,000 followers and was recently named in The Times as one of the YouTube channels to watch in 2026. The channel is proud to represent brands within the British horticulture industry and in 2026 is partnered with 8 different suppliers.

• 1.30pm - Frank P Matthews: Celebrating 125 years of tree supply, trees for small gardens, and growing trees in pots

Stephanie Dunn James is the fourth generation of Frank P Matthews Trees, one of the UK’s largest and most respected fruit and ornamental trees nurseries, founded in 1901. With deep family roots in horticulture, she continues the company’s legacy of growing exceptional trees, focusing on quality, sustainability, and innovation. As they celebrate their 125th anniversary this year, Stephanie will share the fascinating history of the nursery’s growth and evolution, and its enduring commitment to trees and nature for more than a century.

• 2.30pm - Sustainable plant production for nursery growers & educating the next generation of growers

Guy from Architectural Plants presents the nursery’s blueprint for a sustainable horticultural future: circular nursery systems, homegrown and Plant Healthy certified production, peat-free trials, and innovative garden design. He shares how apprenticeships, education and open knowledge-sharing are growing resilient plants, skilled people, and a lasting UK horticultural legacy.

Exhibitor Events (at time of publication - check the online press portal for full details ahead of attendance)

• 10.00am - Durstons Garden Products: trial their new peat-free growing media, including houseplant compost
• 11.00am - STIGA stand: Press Call to showcase new products
• 11.00am - Taylors Bulbs stand: launch of the new ‘Hever Castle’ daffodil, grown by Taylors Bulbs
• 11.30am - 2.30pm - Buffalo/Dethlac stand: meet Carolyn Archer, daughter of the original creator of this iconic British pest control brand
• 11.30am - Greenfingers stand: Actor and patron of the charity, Jim Carter, will launch their new appeal Healing Hand, Helping Hearts

New Product Awards

The Garden Press Event has served as a springboard for numerous successful companies and products. For 2026, more than 65 entries have already been submitted to the New Product Awards, reflecting the creativity, innovation, and growth in the sector over the past two decades.

These awards are decided by visitor votes, and all entry fees support the charity Greenfingers. The winner of Best New Product will be announced at 4pm.

The Bob Maker Best Stand Award

In recognition of exhibitors’ efforts to make their stands interesting and informative for visitors, a special presentation is given to the best overall stand. This award is named The Bob Maker Best Stand Award in recognition of the show’s friend, who was involved with the inaugural event and who sadly passed away in 2006.

The winner of the Bob Maker Best Stand award will be announced after the Best New Product award at 4pm.

The Press Portal and Exhibitor Map

The Press Portal contains the press diary for stand events and exhibitor press packs. It is designed for visitors to both plan in advance and refer back after the event, ensuring they don’t miss important stories, details or products relevant to their audience. The Press Portal goes live on 9 February for all registered attendees. Alongside this, the finalised exhibitor map will also be published on the GPE website: gardenpressevent.co.uk.

20th Anniversary Year

To mark the importance of the occasion, a specially designed logo has been created for the Garden Press Event’s milestone anniversary year. The orange flower now represents an aster; the traditional flower associated with a 20th anniversary. The design also features 20 petals, symbolising each year of growth, resilience, and collaboration across the sector.

Fran Barnes, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to have such a strong line up of speakers and a sold-out exhibition area featuring the latest trends and must-haves in gardening. 

“With over 90 exhibitors, nearly 70 entries for the New Product Awards so far, and around 400 members of the media attending, the Garden Press Event continues to go from strength to strength and is an important date in the horticultural calendar.

“We cannot wait to welcome journalists and influencers to the Business Design Centre, so they can discover the very best of what our green industry has to offer.”

Vicky Nuttall, Director of GIMA, added:

“It’s great to see so many members of the press and media, some familiar faces and some new, who have already signed up to the event

“The Garden Press Event has grown and evolved over the last twenty years. I’ve personally attended since the beginning, so I’m looking forward to being there to mark this significant milestone.

“I know that this year there will be even more great stories and discussions to be had for the year ahead and another opportunity to network with colleagues.”

The Garden Press Event is exclusively for verified journalists, influencers, bloggers, vloggers, and members of the media. Entry is free, but registration is required. 

Register BEFORE 6 February: gardenpressevent.co.uk/visitor-registration.

For more details about the event and entry requirements, visit: gardenpressevent.co.uk.