UK: One week to go until Garden Futures 2015

The last few days are upon us to book to attend HTA Garden Futures 2015. The conference and dinner takes place on Wednesday 30 September at Crowne Plaza, Heythrop Park, Oxfordshire. The theme for this year’s conference, sponsored by Hozelock and Scotts Miracle-Gro, is ‘Embracing Change’.

The panel session will be chaired by Matthew Appleby from Horticulture Week, and joined by key players from across the industry including Matthew Bent, Managing Director of Bents Garden & Home, Sam Bosworth, Director of Choice Marketing and Julian Winfield, Chief Executive Officer of Haskins Garden Centres will discuss the changing retail landscape and what it means specifically for garden retail.

Much can change in ten years, so what might our future look like? From consumer attitudes to waste and sustainable living, growing IT use among a changing demographic profile, the increase in the rise of the ‘Quantified Self’ and the use of smart technology in the home, Dom Harrison, Director of Global Trends at Future Foundation, will take a look at some trends that could shape our opportunities and threats in the coming years.

ITV1’s Gardening Presenter, David Domoney, looks at dynamic triggers to inspire and cultivate a new nation of gardeners. What motivates ‘non gardeners’ into becoming lifetime hobby horticulturalists? David’s experiment looked at 30,000 people to find the UK’s most happy plant; plus The Rise of the Street Gardeners and their expectations of the horticulture industry.

Other conference speakers include:
Ronald van Veen, Chairman of EFSA
Will Butler-Adams OBE, Brompton Bicycle CEO
Simon Jack, business and economics presenter for Radio 4’s Today Programme
Dennis Reid, from Retail Performance Specialists
Jon Kemp, Trading Director of Homebase
Chris Collins, landscaper and former Blue Peter gardener
Simon Davies, Group Marketing Director for Hozelock
Barry Page, CEO for Town & Country
Bill Giles OBE, former BBC senior weatherman

Set in 400 acres of tranquil Oxfordshire countryside and with a purpose built auditorium and beautiful ballroom, Heythrop Park will provide a fantastic setting for this year’s HTA Garden Futures Conference and Dinner.

To book your place and view the full programme visit www.gardenfutures.org.uk

For more information
Horticultural Trades Association
Horticulture House
19 High Street
Theale
Reading
West Berkshire
RG7 5AH
T: +44 (0)118 930 3132
Fax: +44 (0)118 932 3453
NGGV: +44 (0)118 930 2092
www.the-hta.org.uk