The workshops 'Engaging Communities & Growing Business Locally & Online' will feature case studies from garden centres across the country demonstrating the importance of local engagement.
Most of the case studies are from entries to the 2011 Garden Retail awards, including winners of the Sinclair-sponsored Community Involvement Award Woodcote Green, highly commended Coolings Nurseries, and finalists Fermoy's and Grosvenor.
The workshops will also show how garden centres are using social media to engage with their customers.
HTA's business development director Tim Briercliffe will provide an overview of the consumer research and HTA market information manager, David Denny, will share an overview of the latest HTA research into who the next generation of gardeners are and how to reach them.
Date and venues
Tuesday 31 January, Dobbies Garden Centre, Peterborough
With case studies from host centre, Scotsdales Garden Centres (Cambridge) and Planters Garden Centres (Tamworth).
Wednesday 1 February, Coolings Garden Centre, Sevenoaks
With case studies from the host centre, Woodcote Green Garden Centre (Surrey) and Perrywood Nurseries (Colchester).
Tuesday 21 February, Grosvenor Garden Centre, Chester
With case studies from the host centre, Dobbies Garden Centre (tbc) and Moota Garden Centre (Cumbria).
Tuesday 28 February, Cadbury Garden & Leisure, Bristol
With case studies from the host centre, Fermoys Garden Centre (Newton Abbott) and Cleeve Nursery (near Bristol).
The workshops each run from 10 am - 3 pm and cost £25 for HTA members which includes lunch and refreshments.
For more information or to book visit www.the-hta.org.uk/events or email events@the-hta.org.uk
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