It is your last chance to book one of the few remaining places at the HTA Garden Futures dinner and conference, ‘Know it, sow it, grow it’, which takes place at One Great George Street in London next week (16 and 17 October). Sponsored by Bord Na Mona, Hozelock and Scotts Miracle-Gro demand for tickets at this annual strategic industry event, has been impressive.

New to the speaker line up is well-known and respected retail expert Clare Rayner who will be talking about serving the multi-channel consumer. Using her corporate experience, from companies including McDonalds, M&S, Dixons, Argos, global software giant SAP and international management consulting brand Accenture, Clare will look at the emergence of online and the evolution of the customer experience using examples of where it worked and where it didn’t. She will also provide tips on the pitfalls to avoid and the advantage that smaller businesses have in being able to deliver an omni-channel approach to their customers.

Also focussing on the customer experience Paul Pleydell from Pleydell Smithyman will explore the need for theatre in retailing helping to give people a reason to visit.  In his thought provoking talk Paul will look at what is happening on the high street and seek to inspire garden centre operators and the suppliers to think about their businesses in new ways.

Clare and Paul join a host of high calibre speakers including Mark Palmer, Marketing Director of Pret a Manger, botanist, presenter and grower James Wong, TV Gardener David Domoney, Josh McBain from the Future Foundation, Pepijn Janssen from Store Performance Group, Richard Carr and Simon Davies from Hozelock, Chris Roberts from Van Hage Garden Centres and Michael Saunders from Barclaycard Bespoke.

The conference culminates in the Big Debate which is looking at growing the market through the supply chain. Panellists include Boyd Douglas-Davies from Hillview Garden Centres, Geoff Caesar from the Bransford Webb Plant Company, Richard Butler from Stewarts Plastics, Jonathan Halford from Forest and Gardman and Joanna Dyson from supply chain expert at ReSharpen. Join the debate using the hashtag #gardenfutures.

The Conference Dinner takes place on the evening of 16 October with Andy McIndoe from Hilliers Nurseries and Garden Centres providing the after dinner entertainment.

For more information and to download your booking form visit www.gardenfutures.org.uk or email events@the-hta.org.uk

GTN Xtra will be at the Conference and Conference Dinner so watch out for HTA Futures upates via GTN Xtra e-mail newsletters.