HTA sponsors new Garden Media Guild award to recognise excellence in horticultural industry publishing

25 June 2026

The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is proud to announce sponsorship of the new Industry and Association Publication of the Year category at the 2026 Garden Media Guild Awards.

The new award recognises editorial excellence across professional environmental horticulture and aims to celebrate the publications, websites and content teams that inform, connect and support horticultural businesses and professionals throughout the UK.

Entries are open to publications and editorial content produced by the horticultural press, trade bodies, membership organisations, professional institutes, charities and industry representative organisations. Eligible entries include print and digital magazines, journals, newsletters and editorial websites that demonstrate strong editorial quality, audience relevance, and a meaningful contribution to horticultural knowledge, professional practice, member engagement and wider industry understanding.

The introduction of the award reflects the growing recognition that environmental horticulture is a major UK economic sector. Worth £38 billion to UK GDP and supporting more than 722,000 jobs, the industry spans growers, garden centres, landscapers, designers, manufacturers, suppliers and service providers. Across this diverse sector, trusted editorial content and professional communications play an essential role in sharing expertise, highlighting innovation, supporting business decision-making, reporting the latest policy decisions that impact the sector, and strengthening industry understanding.

The HTA has long supported greater recognition of horticultural trade media and industry communications and is delighted to sponsor the inaugural award.

The HTA, alongside GIMA, under the banner of the Garden Press Event, also sponsors the Brand Social Media Influencer of the Year 2026, which recognises companies, media outlets and charities that have grown their reputation through gardening knowledge and expertise.

Melissa Gerbaldi, Media Relations Manager at the HTA, said:

"Environmental horticulture is a thriving industry across the UK, not only delivering for the economy, but also contributing significant environmental, social and wellbeing benefits and supporting communities. Yet public perceptions can sometimes overlook the scale, professionalism and economic importance of the sector behind the plants."

"We recognise that there are exceptional publications serving horticultural professionals across the UK. These publications do far more than report news. They share expertise, support professional development, connect communities, highlight innovation and help businesses navigate opportunities and challenges."

"Such contributions deserve recognition. As an Associate Member of the Garden Media Guild, I am personally thrilled that the Awards team agree. The HTA are pleased to support the creation of this category because it acknowledges the important role that trade and specialist publications play in strengthening and championing our sector."

"I would encourage editors, publishers and content teams across environmental horticulture to enter. Whether you produce a magazine, journal, newsletter or digital platform, this is an opportunity to showcase the quality, authority and impact of your work and to celebrate the businesses behind the industry we are all so passionate about."

Kimberley Hornby George, Co-Chair of the Garden Media Guild, said:

"The Garden Media Guild Awards exist to celebrate outstanding communication across horticulture, and it felt right that we should also recognise the publications dedicated to serving the industry itself.

"With every issue, these titles shine a spotlight on the people, businesses, ideas and achievements that keep horticulture and the wider garden sector moving forward. They capture the conversations shaping our sector, provide a platform for diverse voices and help ensure important stories reach the audiences that need to hear them.

"We are delighted to introduce this new category and grateful to the HTA for supporting it. We look forward to recognising the publications that consistently demonstrate editorial excellence and make a lasting contribution to our industry."

Entries for the 2026 Garden Media Guild Awards are open and close at 11.59pm on 27 August 2026. Winners will be announced at the Garden Media Guild Awards Lunch at The Savoy, London, on 20 November 2026.

For more information and to submit entries for the award, visit: https://www.gardenmediaguild.co.uk/awards/131/04_industry_association_publication_of_the_year