The guest speaker this year was the witty and intelligent ex barrister turned comedian Clive Anderson. Clive regaled the crowd with an entertaining speech, which became a highlight for the day. Also in attendance at the awards, as guests of BALI, were some of the stars of the gardening and horticulture world including Rouge Traders Matt Allright, Blue Peter Gardener Chris Collins, GroundForce presenter Tommy Walsh, Gardeners' World presenter Joe Swift, GMTV Gardener Sven Wombell, and TV gardener Andy Sturgeon.

During lunch a collection was made on behalf of the GreenFingers Charity and The Geoffrey Chalk fund. The chairman of the adjudication panel addressed the crowd during lunch to explain the importance of the BALI awards and also explain the selection process of the much sort after BALI awards.

The most exciting and anticipated moment of the BALI awards is the announcement of the Grand Award winner. Every Landscape scheme announced as a winner has the chance to become Grand Award winner and with the standard of schemes at an all time high, the competition was tough. Willerby Landscapes of Edenbridge, Kent who have been BALI members for over 20 years won this most sought after Award for the excellently landscaped grounds of Chavasse Park part of The Paradise Street project in Liverpool City Centre. The design and construction of Chavasse Park needed to completely transform this small urban space into a scenic link between the heart of the city and the waterfront. Speaking about this win Managing Director of Willerby John Melmoe said:

"Every industry needs a means of recognising a quality product. In the landscape world this mechanism has become the BALI Awards. Recognition of a high level of achievement, from within the industry, has a positive motivational effect on our Staff. The increased profile of the Awards presents Willerby’s with good marketing opportunities & the benefits last long beyond the ceremony".

BALI would like to thank everyone who attended the awards and also all those involved in the organisation of what turned out to be another amazing year. BALI, as always, is extremely grateful to all 33 sponsors for their support. B&Q returned for a second year as Principal Sponsor. Addagrip, Anders Plus, BALI Insure, Bellenden Public Affairs, Bradstone, Brett Landscaping, British Sugar Topsoil, Buildbase, Clarke and Spears, Crowders Nurseries, eFig, Global Stone, Hort Week, ISS, Johnsons of Whixley, Institute of Groundsmanship, Lantra Awards, Lantra SSC, Marshalls, M&M Timber, Mitsubishi, Natural Paving Products, NPTC, Ransomes Jacobsen, Rigby Taylor Ltd, Ro Lawn, Tamar Nurseries, Ten Alps, The Landscaper, Trustees of Geoffrey Chalk Memorial Fund, Van den Berk, Vital Earth, Yellow Pages, Yell.com.