Anthea McIntyre MEP,  (pictured) who will bring the audience up to speed on the results of her Government lobbying and what problems we may be facing on R&D, Pest & Disease and many other horticultural issues connected with Brexit.

Markus Kobelt of Lubera, Switzerland and Felicidad Fernandez of NIAB EMR, who will deliver a joint presentation, illustrating how countries can work together to produce new varieties which benefit the grower community and the industry. 

George Beach, Managing Director of Mudwalls Farms Ltd, who will demonstrate how he has transformed his multi-generational family grower business into a modern, branded retail and catering supplier of local fruit, salads and vegetables,  while also trading with growers internationally.

Jack Ward, Chief Executive of the British Growers Association, who will give an overview of how Brexit is affecting the grower community to date with particular emphasis on staffing and wages.

Professor Simon Pearson of LIAT (Lincoln Institute for Agri-Tech), part of Lincoln University, who will be speaking about the effects of light manipulation on crop growth and development, including the development and application of glasshouse spectral filters and LED lighting systems -- important work, which is of interest to the international grower community and not just the UK.

Peter McDermott, Managing Director of You Garden and Garden Bargains who will talk about controlling supply chains for the future. As a grower who sells huge volumes of his own company’s plants, and those of other growers, via the TV channel Ideal World, Amazon, E-Bay, Groupon and Wowcher, Peter is looking at life after Brexit and setting up a network of UK nurseries to plug any gaps in supply.

Steve McCurdy, Managing Director of Majestic Trees, who will talk about his award winning business and how they weather challenges to be at the forefront of nursery stock growing, both in the UK and internationally.

David Gunson, former air traffic controller, and one of the most popular after dinner speakers in the UK, who will be delivering a humorous and award-winning account of the trials and challenges of working with European air traffic controllers for many long years.

GrowQuip is held in association with Bulrush Horticulture and also proud to be sponsoring the event are XL Horticulture, Hortifeeds, Vitax and MorePeople.

This is your ideal opportunity to network with fellow growers, suppliers and service providers at our one-day conference, learn from our speakers, browse our supplier showcase, enjoy a relaxed three course dinner with wine with colleagues, hear our humorous after-dinner speaker, stop overnight at the four-star Stratford Manor hotel with spa and indoor pool and leave the following morning after breakfast equipped to tackle the post-Brexit world – all for the all-inclusive cost of £265 plus VAT (early bird discount available currently -- £238 plus VAT).

CHA is also pleased to announce that GrowQuip is now registered for BASIS points, see the BASIS website for full details.

Allied to the conference programme is an industry showcase, where conference attendees will be able to view the latest products and services available to commercial growers from major suppliers to horticulture.  Industry showcase participation starts at £369+VAT. CHA members receive a 10% discount on delegate packages or industry showcase bookings.  Further sponsorship packages are also available on request.

Contact Pat Flynn or Theresa Swann for details and to book your places at the conference, dinner or your industry showcase presence. E-mail pat@cha-hort.com  or ring Pat on 07778 313623 or contact the CHA secretariat head office on 01959 565995.