The 2012 Nursery & Garden Industry National Conference – Ride the Wave of Change - was held from March 13-16 at the Marriot Resort and Spa on the Gold Coast.
Tuesday evening saw the opening of the trade exhibitions and the official welcome function.
Wednesday was the tour day where delegates attended either the retail tour to some of Queensland’s best Garden Centres (Ross Evans Garden Centre, Nielsen’s Native Nursery, Nursery Traders, Redlands Research Station and Eden Gardens Carseldine) or the production tour to some of Queensland’s best Production Nurseries (Marlborough Nursery, Wallum Nursery, Redlands Research Station, Nursery Traders).
Thursday saw day one of the retail and production plenary and concurrent sessions which was followed by the Yates 125th Hawaiian themed birthday party on McLarens landing. A marvellous night was had by all delegates.
Friday saw day two of the retail and production plenary and concurrent sessions which was followed by the Nursery and Garden Industry best of the best Awards Gala Dinner with Jason Hodges from Better Homes and Gardens as the MC for the night. What a way to end a great conference.
The next Nursery & Garden Industry National conference will be held in Sydney in 2014. 
2012 NATIONAL WINNERS
Small Garden Centre - Gisborne Nursery VIC
Medium Garden Centre - Newmans Nursery & the Topiary Café SA
Large Garden Centre - Van Loon’s Nursery VIC (Hall of Fame)
Small Production Nursery - Dreamtime Wholesale Nursery VIC
Medium Production Nursery - Jamberoo Native Nursery NSW
Large Production Nursery - Birdwood Nursery QLD
Best Propagation Nursery - Greenhills Propagation Nursery Pty Ltd VIC
Best Government Nursery - Hobart Regional Nursery Hobart City Council TAS
Marketing Award - Plants Management Australia TAS
Environment Award - Provincial Plants and Landscapes ACT (Hall of Fame)
Training Award - Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery VIC (Hall of Fame)
Supplier Award - Green Fingers Potting Mix QLD
Young Leader - Brooke Stanway, Tavistock Nursery VIC
Heather Rumsey Award - Brooke Stanway, Tavistock Nursery VIC
NGIA Award of Merit - Colin Campbell QLD
NGIA Life Membership Awards - Teena Sanford Darwin Plant Wholesalers NT; Darryl South Darwin Plant Wholesalers NT; and Malcolm Lewis - Lewis Horticulture SA
To view the winners’ gallery, visit: http://www.ngiaevents.com.au/awards2012/gallery.php
Images (left to right): Large Production Nursery – Birdwood Nursery QLD; Large Garden Centre – Van Loon’s Nursery VIC (Hall of Fame); Training Award – Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery VIC (Hall of Fame); Young Leader – Brooke Stanway (Tavistock Nursery VIC)
Image 2: Medium Production Nursery – Jamberoo Native Nursery NSW
