Booking is now open for the GCA annual conference, which takes place at De Vere Wokefield Estate, Reading from Sunday, 26th until Wednesday, 29th January 2025.

Chairman for 2024/25, William Blake, who is organising the conference with CEO Peter Burks, says: “We’ve been working hard to make sure it’s bigger and better than ever this year. We’ve put together some very forward-thinking themes and have secured a line-up of dynamic speakers, who are informative, educational, and motivating. There will be lots of opportunity to socialise with industry friends, colleagues, and associates."

On Sunday

London Retail Safari featuring a trends presentation from Matthew Brown @ Echochamber and the Self-Guided Retail Safari Tour. 

Any profits from this event will be donated to charity.

We have booked a first come, first served 50-seater luxury coach.

On Monday

Presentations from our inspectors, guiding you through the best practice seen in UK garden centres. Rising Stars will present their projects, and the winner will be voted on and announced.  YPHA will update on what they are doing within the industry.  Plus, the announcement of competition and category award winners. Monday’s speakers will focus on Customer Experience, Employee Engagement and someone who will challenge our imagination.  In the evening, we will enjoy our Associate networking dinner and take on a ‘London Underground’ theme.

Speakers:

• Imagination Rob Hopkins - What if (Imagination) talk
• Customer Experience / Celebrity Service Geoff Ramm
• Generational Diversity & Inclusion – Working with Future Generations Henry Rose Lee

On Tuesday

We will hear from knowledgeable speakers who will discuss the economy, marketing and leadership, followed by presentations from the RHS and HTA. We will also hear from our supported charities Colegrave Seabrook Foundation, Perennial and Greenfingers. We will have a talk on AI along with further presentations from IGCA and GCA Trust.  In the afternoon we have the Associates Exhibition – a chance to meet suppliers in an informal setting to view their products and services and to finish, our prestigious Awards Gala Dinner.

Speakers:

• Economist Martin Roger-Fagg
• Brand / Sustainable Marketing Michelle Carvill - How to drive profits with purpose
• Laughter & Leadership Professor Sophie Scott

How to book / Discounts available

Booking is now open via this link: Garden Centre Association Tickets, Bundles - Buy Online (digitickets.co.uk)

There’s a 10% early bird discount until the end of November and an additional discount for Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA) members.