The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced programme highlights for Horticulture, The Conference, which includes a day of dynamic content designed to inform and support environmental horticulture businesses as they prepare for the future.
The event, one of the industry’s flagship annual gatherings, returns to London’s iconic Barbican Centre on Thursday 24 September 2026 for the second-year running.
It will feature insightful discussions from keynote speakers, industry experts, and leading voices from politics, covering topics such as global foresight - focusing on emerging risks, opportunities and new trends; the value of green spaces; and reflecting on this summer’s extreme heat - the effects of our changing climate on the environmental horticulture sector.
The conference opens at 08:45 for registration. Delegates will have the opportunity to network with colleagues from across the sector and will be among the first to hear about and receive a copy of the HTA's new report, The Value of Green Spaces, which follows the previous publications: The Value of Plants and The Value of Gardens. This new compelling report will address the importance of private and public green spaces and why they matter economically, socially, and environmentally.
Following the close of Horticulture, The Conference at 16:20, there will be a celebratory dinner in the Barbican’s Garden Room, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Ed Byrne. The evening will recognise excellence and innovation across UK environmental horticulture with the prestigious HTA Grower of the Year Awards and the presentation of the Pearson Memorial Medal honouring the recipient’s exceptional and special contributions to the industry.
Key highlights from the daytime programme:
- An in-depth look at the emerging sociological, technological, legal and environmental trends and what they mean for the future of UK environmental horticulture businesses.
- The launch of the HTA’s new report on The Value of Green Spaces.
- Climate insights and what we should be preparing for in future, followed by a panel of leading voices from politics, horticulture and meteorology as they explore how green infrastructure can help the UK adapt to a changing climate, build resilience and improve quality of life.
- Newly announced - Dr Anthony Klotz, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at the UCL School of Management in London, will explore the forces reshaping today’s workforce, from evolving employee expectations and engagement challenges to workplace culture and retention. This will be followed by a panel discussion.
- Leading political figures, including Conservative MP Robbie Moore, will reflect on the value and importance of environmental horticulture, addressing delegates in a political update session.
- And, wrapping up the conference day programme, Ben Hanlin, an award-winning speaker who specialises in creating engagement and connection to boost business performance, will deliver a keynote speech. Delegates will hear his thoughts on using communication to drive performance and culture and how storytelling can help environmental horticulture cut through.
To book tickets and find out more, visit hta.org.uk/conference
