The roll-call of speakers taking part in the GrowQuip 2017 Conference, dinner and industry showcase is taking shape and major sponsors have announced their support of the event.

GrowQuip is the cross-industry commercial horticultural conference focusing on the key issues facing growers of fruit, vegetables, salads and ornamentals, and will take place at the conveniently located four-star Stratford Manor Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire from 1 to 2 November 2017.

The subsidised, all inclusive package for delegates of £265 plus VAT includes entrance to the full day’s programme of distinguished speakers,  access to the industry showcase,  lunch, dinner with an after dinner speaker, overnight accommodation at Stratford Manor Hotel, and breakfast plus refreshments during the event.

There will be ample opportunity for delegates to visit the industry showcase and network with fellow growers and suppliers during the conference and at the reception and dinner.

The GrowQuip event encompasses a themed conference programme --Equip yourself for success-- which will bring together the best brains in commercial horticulture to provide growers with help in overcoming some of the common challenges they face in the day to day running of their businesses and inspiration from an international line-up of speakers.

Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, Director General of the Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers, will be opening the conference and introducing the speakers. A taster of the calibre of the speaker line-up includes:

Markus Kobelt of Lubera, Switzerland  and Felicidad Fernandez of East Malling Research 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, will tell delegates how he has transformed  his multi-generational family business into a modern, branded retail and catering supplier of local fruit and vegetables. Jack Ward, Chief Executive of the British Growers Association will give an overview of how Brexit is affecting the grower community to date.

Additional influential industry figures will be confirming their participation shortly.

This year’s event is held in association with Bulrush Horticulture and headline sponsors to date include XL Horticulture, Hortifeeds, Vitax and MorePeople.

Attendees at the 2016 event were complimentary about the whole event:

“I found the event incredibly useful, informative and motivating; the speakers were excellent”, confirms Andy Merrick of Farplants Ltd.

 “I thought GrowQuip  was great; really good speakers!”, confirms Guy Moreton from one of the sponsors of the event,  MorePeople.

 “We more than recouped the cost of attending by the contacts we had made by the evening” reports Hortifeeds, another sponsor and showcase participant.  

 At November 2017’s event, as well as participating in a stimulating conference programme and networking with a wide range of industry colleagues and fellow growers, delegates will also be able to enjoy all the attractions of the area, which boasts William Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon five minutes’ from the hotel, giving the opportunity to tour the Bard’s birthplace, pay respects at his grave at Holy Trinity Church or simply explore the beautiful Warwickshire town he called home.  Delegates who choose to relax instead will be able to use the hotel’s luxury leisure facilities, including its Health Club with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa offering a wide range of luxurious treatments.

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. 

The first day culminates in a networking dinner with an intriguing and amusing after-dinner speaker  who has delighted countless audiences with his career experiences – certainly not to be missed!

CHA Chairman Pat Flynn comments:  “We were delighted with the feedback from the first edition of GrowQuip. This year’s event is a must-attend,  cross-industry commercial horticultural conference which provides ideas, diversity and possibly solutions which may  come from a different growing sector to your own – equipping you for success, equipping you for the future.”

The two day conference and dinner package, including accommodation with breakfast and lunch, is  £265+VAT and 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.