Appealing to a younger audience, growing a garden centre catering offering and how to meet consumer expectations are the key topics are up for discussion in the panel sessions at the Knowledge Hub at Glee (15-17 September).

Put together and chaired by the HTA in association with Glee, the sessions aim to inspire and debate the latest trends in the garden retail sector.

Panellists include: James Buffoni of Hortipak, David Denny of HTA, Jackie Eades of Briers, Matthew Bent of Bents Garden and Home, Simon Bourne of Perrywood Garden Centre, Salim Shajid of Blueberry Consulting, Jack Sharkey of Vision Commercial Kitchens, Penny Manuel of Soho Coffee and Costas Constantinou, ex Head of Catering at The Garden Centre Group.

Topics covered in a programme of workshops include making the most of social media (Edwin Meijer of Garden Connect), how to meet consumer expectations (Ray Buckler of Retail DNA) and how to create a catering destination (Abi Perry-Jones – Catering Design Company).

Retail guru John Stanley will return to the Knowledge Hub stage with his unique insight into the changing face of the garden retail market from across the globe, whilst Kevin Waters of The Garden Works will be ‘Keeping Plants in the Picture’ in his seminar talk.

See see the full programme details, go to www.gleebirmingham.com/Content/Seminar-Timetables