During the Garden Centers of America (GCA) 2008 Holiday Tour kick-off banquet, GCA President Ken Long announced the two winners of this year’s Circle of Excellence Awards, Carolina Nurseries in Moncks Corner, S.C., and Dave Meder of True Value’s Home & Garden Showplace. This award, selected by Garden Centers of America’s board of directors, recognizes GCA member companies or individuals who have gone above and beyond in supporting the industry and GCA. Kurt S. Adler also received the 2008 Holiday Supplier Award, which recognizes a company that is a leader and innovator in holiday supplies to the independent garden center industry.
Circle of Excellence Winners
Carolina Nurseries, Moncks Corner, S.C., has become an industry leader in wholesale growing of premium perennials, woody shrubs and trees. With an innovative approach to all aspects of operations, they have pioneered many systems for efficiency and convenience. In 2002, Carolina Nurseries founded Novalis, a grower consortium that grows, distributes, markets and merchandises unique selections under the “Plants That Work” brand to independent garden centers across the country.
Dave Meder of True Value Company, was instrumental in building the Home & Garden Showplace brand as a retail entity from its inception in 1988. Today, Home & Garden Showplace has more than 250 members representing many of the best garden centers in the United States. In 2004, Meder developed a partnership with GCA that allows members to join GCA as part of their co-op agreement. He also has served on the GCA board of directors and chaired numerous committees and task forces.
Holiday Supplier of the Year Winner
Kurt S. Adler’s success hinges on its unique blend of innovation, value and service. With headquarters in New York City and a state-of-the-art distribution center, Kurt S. Adler is a one-stop source for holiday needs. Kurt Adler and the Santa’s World brand showcase talented designers and iconic licenses with products from some 200 factories in 15 countries. Its strong market presence includes wholesale showrooms and trade shows, as well as offices in Taiwan, China and Hong Kong. Their line is available at a broad range of retailers from mass merchants to fine specialty shops.
For more information on Garden Centers of America or the award winners, contact Shanan Molnar at (888) 648-6463 or smolnar@asginfo.net, or visit the website at www.gardencentersofamerica.org.
