BALI national landscaping awards

I have come very close to attending the BALI national landscaping awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane on Friday.

I had been invited by Garden Expo who wanted me to sit as a guest on their table - we have been discussing funding for the Landscape Juice Network (LJN) since the end of September.

My ambition is to set up LJN as an alternative land-based organisation to BALI and the APL and break through all of the barriers I feel that these organisations put in front of many good businesses.

I had offered Garden Expo the opportunity to partner with us and help broker a connection between all of the disenfranchised members of the landscaping, gardening and related businesses - I now realise that my decision to pull out has saved me from compromising the unique independence I so value.

In case anyone feels I have wasted an opportunity, take a read of this little line on the BALI website "The unmissable BALI National Landscape Awards brings together the 'whole' landscape industry to celebrate the outstanding work produced by BALI Members."

Have you also noticed that BALI are listed on the Hort Week site as an official partner? Can anyone else feel that there will be a huge marketing push coming?

I am sorry that I will not have the opportunity to meet with Adam and Jason of the APL or Mitch Westwood of Rogue Traders but I feel that when the opportunity does arrive we will be able to talk freely on the subjects we are all so passionate about.