The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has announced the full line-up for the ‘Engaging Your Customer: From Insight to Action’ session at this year’s Horticulture, The Conference, taking place on Thursday 25 September at the Barbican Centre, London.
The session will bring together four expert speakers, each delivering a focused presentation on a key aspect of customer engagement – from data-driven insights to brand storytelling, real-world retail practice and industry-wide collaboration.
David Denny (HTA) will open the session with the latest findings from the HTA’s consumer insight programme, highlighting how evolving customer behaviours, AI tools, and market research can help businesses turn data into actionable strategies.
Liz Dowling (Marketing Consultant & Career Coach) will delve into the art of brand storytelling – showing how clear values, intentional marketing and powerful narratives can strengthen customer connections and foster long-term loyalty.
Amy Stubbs (Managing Director, British Garden Centres) will share the story of British Garden Centres’ growth from local to national, focusing on how the group maintains an authentic, community-level feel while operating at scale.
Neil Grant (Managing Director, Ferndale Garden Centre & HTA Retail Committee Chair) will discuss how HTA members are driving retail innovation and the importance of collaboration within the industry in engaging consumers and creating new growth opportunities.
This session is designed to be both practical and engaging. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to better understand today’s customers, create engaging retail experiences, and translate consumer insights into measurable sales and profitability. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn from industry leaders and network with peers.
Liz Dowling, Marketing Consultant and Career Coach, said: “I’m really pleased to be speaking at this event and to support the great work the HTA is doing. I’ve been so impressed by the way the organisation has evolved into a genuinely people-focused association - one that not only champions the issues that matter in our industry but also brings us together. That sense of connection and shared energy is so valuable.”
Horticulture, The Conference will also feature a wide-ranging programme of speakers, including economist Dr Tim Leunig, global foresight expert Josh McBain, a high-profile Business Leaders panel chaired by BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay, a Member Investment and Success panel with industry leaders, and broadcaster Jeremy Vine as After-Dinner Speaker.
Horticulture, The Conference is in partnership with: Glee, Citation, Towergate (HTA Insurance), Howden (HTA Healthcare), Lloyds, Evergreen Garden Care, Dura-ID Solutions, Troo and The Horti House.
For more information and to secure tickets, visit hta.org.uk/conference.
