eFIG Awards

Since its inception in 2001, the European Federation of Interior Landscaping Groups (eFIG) has worked toward a better understanding of the industry and the benefits of plants indoors, as well as striving to provide training and accreditation to raise the industry standard.

The annual eFIG Awards continually raise standards in the Interior Landscaping industry by awarding accreditation to its members and providing an opportunity for various training courses to be attended. Once every year, we come together as an industry to enjoy an evening of accolade and accreditation, of good food and good friends in an arena where we can discuss our work and get to know those who work alongside us, whilst, of course, letting our hair down for a truly wonderful occasion.

eFIG Awards 2010

The eFIG Awards and Training event 2010 took place on the 18th and 19th March at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Incorporating 2 days of training plus the Awards Ceremony and dinner, the event aimed to give members and attendees the opportunity to recognise the excellent standard of work seen throughout the industry over the past year, whilst taking some time to ensure their ongoing progression through bespoke training courses.

"The entire event was thoroughly enjoyable" said eFIG Chairman Tom Palfreyman. "All the training courses were received really well, so many thanks go to the people who made those possible. And, of course, a huge congratulations to all of the winners of the eFIG Awards - I felt immensely proud to be able to hand out the accreditation which will become the mark of distinction for our industry."

The eFIG Award Winners 2010

Technician's Award: Paul Mucklow, Christine Bailey, Tony Allington

Lifetime Achievement Award: Christine Mills

Awards Dinner and Presentation

The Awards Dinner and Presentation is always a wonderful social event surrounding a celebration of the work achieved over the previous twelve months and the achievements of the people working in the industry.

The evening began with a champagne reception in the glass houses of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens with an overview of the gardens history from the CEO from the gardens, followed by a wonderful three course dinner with coffee.

A mystery guest for the evening was promised, and guests were invited to guess who that may be based on the props and accessories distributed on every table. From the big sunglasses, inflatable microphones and fake sideburns, the mystery guest could have only been one person - the King himself, Elvis Presley! Elvis presented all of the Awards and then went on to entertain everyone with some of his best known songs. He even managed to get himself so (somewhat dubious) backing singers and dancers - you know who you are!

Training Courses at the eFIG Awards 2010

Management – 18.03.10

Morning session: The Green Plant

Afternoon session: Sales and Marketing for Interior Landscapers

Operational – 18.03.10

Morning session: Customer Care for Interior Landscapers
Afternoon session: The Green Plant

Training for All – 19.03.10
Morning session: Managing a Team

Afternoon Session: Effective Communication

Testimonials from members at the Green Plant training session:

Yvonne Davies, Bumble Bees Ltd

“I enjoyed the interaction and brainstorming aspect of the training.  I would like a follow-up course and back up on the eFIG website of certain calculations, for instance how many plants clean the air?

The more we lean the better the information we have to give our customers.”

Darren Stobbart, Plantforce Landscapes Ltd

"The course refreshed information already known.  There was good interaction between the group.”

Fergus Belcher, Urban Planters Reading & Guildford

“A good training with an overview of existing research.  Would like to see point of sale material developed and website links to facts behind the research giving reasons clients must have plants!”

Jennifer Hattingh, Gavin Jones

“I’m keen to collect evidence from research about the benefits of plants so I found the training very good.  It was great to meet like-minded people too.”

Lisa Bailey-Brown, Urban Planters, Brimingham

“A very well presented training with information useful when talking to clients.  Looking forward to having the back-up information on the website as mentioned.”

John Luckraft, Urban Planters,  Southampton

“The most interesting part of the training was learning about new research and how to turn this into a cost saving for clients.”

Ruth Neal, Green Team Interiors

“Green Team Interiors were delighted to have our work and our team recognised again at the annual eFIG awards dinner on Thursday 18th March. We feel very proud to be part of eFIG and to be involved in this fantastic industry.

The eFIG Awards play an important part in driving forward the pursuit of excellence in our industry.  It is vital for all of us that we see consistently improving quality standards to encourage more companies to enjoy the many and proven benefits of living plants in the workplace.”

Testimonial from eFIG Awards Sponsor

"The most important reason why Nieuwkoop Europe BV sponsors the eFIG Awards ceremony is the social aspect of an event like this.

It saves us a week of driving around the UK because you can meet many interior landscapers in one place over the one or two days of the event.  As a supplier of plants and planters, information about what people are using and looking for is very important to us.

A lot of our products are finding their way to the interior landscaper through other wholesalers or exporters (suppliers of eFIG) so again this event gives us the opportunity to speak to other suppliers as well.

Training is also something which is good for the market we are in and by sponsoring the event, more training can be provided and more people get educated.

So to rap it all up ... the eFIG awards or trade show are a great evens which I hope will go on for many years."

Martien Lek, Nieuwkoop Europe BV