Feature Inspired to Grow at Contact 2013
G
rowers from across the nursery stock industry came together in January for the biennial Contact 2013 conference. As well as providing
a fantastic platform for networking and a chance to visit Bransford Webbs Plant Company’s nine-hectare site, the two-day event offered delegates a programme covering key topics that impact on the sector. Conference Chairman Charles Carr of Lowater Nurseries kicked off proceedings commenting,
‘After the tough year we’ve all had, it’s time for us to start looking forward – sharing industry practice, ideas and development at Contact is the perfect start to 2013.’ The conference opened with Will Tooby, Chairman
of Bransford Webbs, taking an inspirational look at the environment we live in. He gave an overview of how he sees the world changing over the next 100 years factoring in climate change, peak oil, an increasing population and the reduction of forests. In conclusion, he encouraged delegates to value and cherish what we have in this wonderful country and connect people with plants and the natural world.
areas that had tree blocks and green spaces removed. Delegates were encouraged to embrace social media as Paul Hogden of IT Genetics and Kirsten Pett of Kernock Park Plants gave a presentation on how to engage and attract customers through digital platforms such as websites, Twitter and Facebook. Gardening journalist Adam Pasco gave an insight into how companies could maximise the opportunities available for publicity through digital media. He said businesses should be interacting directly with their customer base through social media and by emailing newsletters. Doing so can help ensure maximum take up for time-sensitive information, such as special weekend deals or events. Tim Clapp, Head of horticulture at the Garden
Will Tooby
With thanks to headline partners
Adam Pasco Kirsten Pett and media partners
David Denny, HTA Market information manager, outlined the current state of the economic market and how more use is being made of the potential to help inspire and inform customers about plants through technology, such as smartphones and tablets. Ross Cameron from Sheffield University presented on the environmental and social credentials of gardens with scientific research showing that plants are good for you. Providing green space in which to exercise is fundamental to the nation’s health; in fact, research has shown relief from stress and anxiety can be achieved within five minutes when viewing green landscapes. Green spaces also saw a reduction in crime with a third more antisocial behaviour seen in
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Centre Group, gave a presentation on reaching consumers through retailers. The Garden Centre Group sells over 28 million plants a year. Their ethos is to make plants the primary focus across all their stores with other products subsidiary to this. Offering high quality plants is essential to their business and their mission is to present customers with the best plantarea choice in the industry. As part of Contact 2013, delegates had an opportunity to visit Bransford Webbs Plant Company near Worcester. The company’s Managing director Geoff Caesar provided an overview of their new 2500-square meter dispatch facility and the nine-hectare site where 1.2 million plants are produced every year. After-dinner speaker on the first night of the conference was Andy
McIndoe, Managing director of Hillier Nurseries, whoshared with the audience his thoughts on growers, consumers and gardening. Further topics covered at Contact 2013 included
how to maintain a strong supply chain (Professor Andrew Fearne, Kent University); the future of new plant development (Garry Greuber, Cultivaris); weaving through the policy maze (Tim Briercliffe, HTA); and making ornamental production a career people want to follow (Leigh Morris, Institute of Horticulture and Penny Evans, HTA). Claire Robertson closed the conference with her inspirational story of creating the Wellworths brand following the demise of Woolworths.
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