The much-loved Queensland Garden Expo is undergoing major changes in management. The changes were announced by Colin Fruk, CEO of Greenlife Industry Qld, in a letter posted on the industry body’s Facebook site.
The popular garden show, which has been held in Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for 41 years, was developed by the Queensland Nursery and Garden Industry (now Greenlife Industry Queensland) and has been run by a team of full-time staff members from an office in Nambour. The show will now be run by events company TLC, who will also manage the industry event, Green Expo, which is held on the Gold Coast each July.
Discussing the changes with HMAA, Colin said that he was sad to say goodbye to the Expo staff but that changes had to made to see the show continue. He praised this year’s event, which he said was “magnificent but will struggle to make any profit”.
“We wouldn’t be able to continue the show with making these changes,” he explained while confirming that the show would be held in Nambour in 2026 and would continue “as long as community support continues”.
He will be meeting with sponsors in the week ahead including both local and state government.
HMAA members, members of the Australian Institute of Horticulture, garden clubs and local gardeners have long supported QGE particularly through the Plant Clinic as well as display gardens. The show also hosted a Laurels event. Many volunteers and fans of the show have taken to social media to express concerns about the changes and what it might mean.
Colin explained that he could not make any public statements about the restructure of the Nambour show until all staff members had been informed on Friday (September 12).
In his open letter to industry and friends posted on Saturday, Colin praised the contribution of the Expo team saying: “We are already a small team, and it is genuinely sad to see people we value and respect leave us. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and for the role each has played in shaping the Show. In particular, Marion Beazley’s more than 20 years of service to the industry leaves an extraordinary legacy that will always be part of GIQ’s story.”
The industry body will continue to manage trade days, tours and other in-house industry events.
