What lies ahead for the garden industry? Join the debate at the HTA Garden Futures Conference and Dinner

There?s still time to join garden industry representatives attending the HTA Garden Futures Conference and Dinner, sponsored by Hozelock and Scotts Miracle-Gro, which takes place at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire on Wednesday 12 October.

With the theme of ?Business agility in a disruptive world? the event provides a forum for many of the key issues (and opportunities) facing the sector and is pertinent to businesses of all sizes.

External speakers include Josh McBain, Dominic Harrison, Ibrahim Ibrahim, Leonard Diepenbrock and PY Gerbeau covering topics including the economy, the shopper journey, the changing face of retail and the use of smart technology.

In addition, Paul Pleydell, director of Pleydell Smithyman will explore some of the trends and opportunities that could shape tomorrow?s garden centre. This will include: building structure, being brave, fresh thinking, embracing diversity and knowing what makes a business stand out from the crowd; with ideas and examples that can be applied to our sector.

There will also be a panel session, chaired by director of Garden Forum, George Bullivant, which will pick up on many of the topics addressed by the programme including the impact of Brexit and who will bear the cost and the future for the industry. Panellists include: Neil Grant, managing director of Ferndale Garden Centre, Alex Newey, managing director and co-owner, Newey Group and Sheila Hill, vice president & general manager for the UK and Ireland, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company.

Following the conference the Garden Futures dinner provides the perfect opportunity for further networking and discussion. Following the presentation of the HTA Pearson Medal and the GTN Greatest Awards for garden retail the after dinner speaker will be horticulturalist and broadcaster David Domoney. David will take an amusing view of the image of the horticultural industry, some of the best kept secrets that the power of plants have on mankind and the enchantment of gardening on television.

Make sure you don?t miss out! View the programme and book your place now at www.hta.org.uk/gardenfutures