Bookings are now open for the HTA Seasonal Plants Focus Conference which takes place on Thursday 21 November 2013 at Young Plants Ltd, Stratford upon Avon. Following on from the success of the previous Seasonal Plants Focus Conference interest is anticipated to be high and so growers and retailers are encouraged to book by 16 October to benefit from the early bird rate.
This year’s programme is split into four highly relevant sessions: how growers and retailers should work together to increase sales; extending the season and range; future opportunities for the garden industry and collaboration and smarter working.
Each session is packed with insightful speakers including Chris Beytes, Editor of Grower Talks Magazine, Ball Publishing, who will explain the evolution of the grower-retailer relationship in America and share some interesting stories; Nigel Judd from Thompson and Morgan, who will discuss how to create premium products from common species by giving them a special twist to create new sales opportunities; and Joop Kooijman from Keift Seeds, who will look at the use of perennials for bedding plant growers.
Other speakers include:
· Philip Evason - founder of Supply Chain and Procurement Solutions
· Graham Dunn, Managing Director of Cresco Horticulture
· Nicky Roeber, Plant Buyer, The Garden Centre Group
· Peter McDermott, Managing Director, You Garden Ltd
· Steve Jones, Executive Director, ReSharpen
· Professor Andrew Fearne, Kent University
· Carol Paris, HTA
The conference this year will be preceded by a superb networking dinner the night before at the Alveston Manor Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, which will feature an inspirational after-dinner talk by Boyd Douglas-Davies, Chief Executive of The Hillview Group. Both the dinner and the conference will provide an ideal opportunity to get together with colleagues from across the bedding and seasonal plant production sector as well as retailers from across the industry.
Further information about the programme and a booking form can be found at www.seasonalplantsfocus.co.uk
