Garden Centre Association Anniversary Conference

Every year, the Garden Centre Association (GCA) hosts a three-day conference for its Members and Associate Members, rotating the location across the country to ensure fairness in travel distance.

For its 60th Anniversary Conference in 2026, the GCA sought a venue that would deliver something truly special – a setting that reflected the significance of the milestone while offering exceptional service, flexible event space and seamless operational delivery.

Carden Park Hotel was selected and exceeded expectations at every stage.

The GCA conference needed a multi-capacity venue that could deliver several event requirements over a period of 3 days. The team required:

• A large plenary theatre space
• Multiple breakout/syndicate rooms running in parallel
• A dedicated registration and networking area
• Exhibition and partner space
• Flexible catering locations
• Luxury accommodation

A major factor in the event’s success was the strength of the pre-event support.

From contract signing through to final operational handover, the GCA received expert guidance and proactive communication. The handover to the operations team was seamless, with service teams communicating to organisers directly and handling issue immediately.

From the moment delegates passed through the gates and drove the sweeping route through one of Carden Park’s championship golf courses, the sense of occasion was immediate.

With over 200 delegates arriving across the afternoon, the spacious reception, clear signage and supportive front-of-house team ensured a smooth check-in experience ahead of the evening’s welcome programme.

The Carden Suite became the main conference theatre, hosting keynote sessions and member presentations across all three days in a full theatre layout. Alongside this, several syndicate rooms were used for smaller group sessions and workshops, allowing the conference to flow seamlessly between plenary content and interactive discussions.

Because bedrooms, meeting rooms, dining and bar spaces were all within easy reach, the GCA team were able to keep delegates together on site, enhancing both engagement and networking.

Catering played a major role in the success of the event, with food service required for over 200 people for breakfasts, conference lunches, refreshment breaks, evening dinners and private restaurant dining overlooking the estate in the Seventeenth dining suite

The GCA’s 60th Anniversary Conference was widely regarded as one of its most successful events to date.

Feedback from attendees highlighted:

• Exceptional staff service
• Outstanding communication
• High-quality food
• Professional event management
• A welcoming, family-like team culture

For a 60th Anniversary event that needed to feel significant, professional and seamless – Carden Park delivered at every stage, from planning through to departure.