Horticulture 2030 was the theme of the HTA Conference held at the ICC in Birmingham last week.

HTA Chairman James Barnes opened the day with a plea to government to change ornamental horticulture to environmental horticulture to make it more relevant for the current agenda and perhaps more attractive as a career for young people.  He said that garden retailers should congratulate themselves on becoming the retail destinations of choice for now and the future.  With new technology and government help he sees an optimistic green growth agenda.

Listen to James Barnes opening address here.

After a day of presentations from research consultants, senior economists, award winning Chelsea designers, renowned TV documentary presenter Simon Reeve and influencers Tayshan Hayden-Smith and The Plant Geek, Michael Perry, TV Gardener Arit Andersen and HTA Immediate Past President Boyd Douglas-Davies summed up the day.

Listen to their summary of the day here.

At the after conference dinner, also held in the ICC, the first ever Grower of the Year Awards were presented.

Young Plant Grower of the Year: Ball Colegrave
Finished Plant Grower of the Year: Allensmore
Inspirational Business of the Year: Palmstead
Young Grower of the Year Elliot Barden, Majestic Trees
Staff Member of the Year: Gareth Edwards, New Leaf Plants

See GTN Xtra's photo gallery from the conference and the awards below and read more about the conference content in the October issue of GTN magazine.