Spring and Summer
The HTA Spring and Summer Regional Events run for a period between April-September
These events offer a chance to connect and engage with fellow HTA members at various venues, learn from industry experts on topics affecting you, and share your voice to make a difference in environmental Horticulture.
Click the sections below to find an event near you and register for free.
South East, Essex, East Anglia and Greater London Region
South East, Essex, East Anglia and Greater London Region
Essex Regional Event - Smith W D & Son and RHS Hyde Hall
Join us for a unique behind-the-scenes day at two HTA members in Essex, beginning at RHS Hyde Hall with a visit to the Floral Fantasia garden - a fantastic showcase of new plant introductions from UK breeders. This garden, originally led by the late Peter Seabrook, continues to flourish under the guidance of voluntary working group.
The day continues at W.D. Smith & Son, a third-generation, family-run nursery in Wickford with over 60 years of horticultural expertise. You'll enjoy a buffet lunch, learn about the business, and experience a guided tour of their nursery and an opportunity to see their expert approach to growing quality bedding plants.
It’s also a great chance to meet fellow HTA members, talk to representatives from the HTA, and connect with others in our community.
Date: Wednesday 27 August
Time: 10:30 - 15:00
Venue: Smith W D & Son and RHS Hyde Hall
Address: Starting the day off at RHS Hyde Hall, Creephedge Ln, Chelmsford CM3 8ET then travelling through to Smith W D & Son, Woodham Rd, Wickford SS11 7QU and
Agenda:
- Arrival & Welcome at RHS Hyde Hall
- Tour and Background of Floral Fantasia
- Travel to W.D. Smith & Son
- Buffet Lunch & Networking
- History and Future of W.D. Smith & Son
- Guided Tour of Nursery
- Event Close
You are welcome to explore Meadow Croft Garden Centre (across the road) at your leisure following the conclusion of the event.
Central South Regional Event - Formbar & Root One Garden Centre
“How to increase sales, store layout & security.”
Join us at Root One Garden Centre in the morning for a tour and update on their business. For lunch we will meet at Formbar, who are kindly hosting the afternoon session. At this event we will be covering the topics of how to create the best customer journey, how to increase sales and tackle security and theft, which is now affecting many of our members.
These are informal events, a great place to meet other members and learn from Industry experts
Date: Wednesday 3 September
Time: 10:00 - 16:00
Venue: Formbar & Root One Garden Centre
Address:
- Morning- Root One Garden Centre, High Road, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Wallingford, OX10 0PT, Oxfordshire
- Afternoon-Formbar Willow Barn, Manor Farm Courtyard, West Hagbourne, Didcot, OX11 0ND, Oxfordshire.
Agenda:
- Arrival 10am welcome drink
- Morning- Tour and business update
- 12.30-1.30 Lunch/Afternoon Tea
- Afternoon - hear from Formbar on improving your customer’s experience.
- Plant Retail Success from The HTA and Loss prevention and AI Surveillance
- from industry experts.
- Finish 4pm
Devon & Cornwall Regional Event - The Nursery at The Eden Project
We invite you to join us at The Eden Projects Nursery on Tuesday 23 September. These events are free to attend and are a great informal way to meet with other members and learn about other businesses.
The event is being kindly hosted by the horticultural department at The Eden Project at their onsite Nursery. You will hear about what the nursery produces and the facilities they have and a tour of the nursery.
Planet Mark will be giving an update on Eden's sustainable journey. You will also hear about developing nature-based fertilisers and what’s next for The Eden Project.
In the afternoon attendees have been given free access into The Eden Project. Lunch is included.
Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025
Time: 10:30 – 14:30
Venue: The Nursery at The Eden Project
Address: The Nursery, The Eden Project, Cornwall, PL24 2SG
Agenda:
- Arrival at 10:00 for welcome drinks
- In the morning there will be an Introduction and update on The Eden Project Growing Point Nursery, including a tour.
- We will hear from Planet Mark on Eden's Sustainable Journey
- Lunch will be served at 12:45
- In the afternoon - Developing nature-based fertilizers and What’s next for Eden.
- 14:00 onwards – You are welcome to visit the Eden Project (Free Access has been kindly offered for this event) site closes at 17:00
Southwest Regional Event - Monkton Elm Garden Centre
We invite you to join us at Monkton Elm Garden Centre who are kindly hosting this Regional Event.
This event offers the opportunity to hear about the redevelopment of their restaurant and future plans.
We will also be hearing from Paul Pleydell on “How to Grow your Business” and planning for the future, followed in the afternoon with “Making it Work for You” - Understanding what type of garden centre you are -location of departments, impulse products, destination departments and footfall drivers. The session will also cover how to assess sales performance and how this can influence your choices plus a few simple tips. We will also cover recruitment and Insurance. This is a great opportunity to gain knowledge on how to move your business forward. The event is free to attend, and lunch is included.
Date: Thursday 11 September 2025
Time: 10:00 - 15:30
Venue: Monkton Elm Garden Centre
Address: Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8QN
Agenda:
- Arrival- 10.00 – Welcome Drinks
- Morning- An update on Monkton Elm and tour of the site.
- How to grow your business, a planned approach from Pleydell Smithyman
- 1pm- Lunch
- Afternoon- MorePeople-Recruitment, Retention, Growth
- Towergate Insurance- Is your business covered
- Making it Work for You– Pleydell Smithyman
- 3.30-Finish
Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and North England Region
Wales Regional Event - Fron Goch Garden Centre
Join us for an afternoon of presentations, group discussions and networking opportunities at the award winning Fron Goch Garden Centre operating since 1981.
Date: Tuesday 9 September
Time: 12:00 - 16:30
Venue: Fron Goch Garden Centre
Address: Pant Road , Caernarfon , LL54 5RL.
Agenda:
- Arrivals and Registration – Teas and Coffees
- Tour of the Site including new developments
- Lunch
- Making the most of your business session run Appetite Me
- Group Discussion and Networking opportunity
- Summary and Close
Midlands and Yorkshire Region
This concludes the Midlands and Yorkshire Region Events for the Summer and Spring season. More information to follow soon for the Autumn series.
Regional Events Booking Form
Please fill in all the required information to book onto the regional event you would like to attend.
Should you have any additional questions or queries please contact the HTA Events team below who will be able to assist you with any further information