FARMA National Annual Conference 2005 - Harrogate, Yorkshire

The FARMA National Conference 2005 will take place at Harrogate, North Yorkshire.Tours: Monday 7 November.

Conference: Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 November.

The FARMA annual National Conference is to be held in North Yorkshire, at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate , on the 8th and 9th of November. It is an event focused entirely on improving the professionalism of farmers selling direct and farmers’ markets. It encourages delegates to lift up their heads from the day to day and look at the wider picture as well as getting down to detail like improved merchandising: Pete Luckett, Canada’s favourite greengrocer is celebrated for making his Frootiques businesses endlessly fascinating, incorporating drama, theatre and skilful display. He is a key speaker on Wednesday 9 November.

The Conference is preceded by tours of local farm retailers on Monday 7 November. This year we have been able to arrange four different routes. We’ve called them the Northern Stars and we promise it will be difficult to choose which one to go on! They include many real highlights such as Chatsworth Farm Shop, Low Sizergh Barn, Pink Pig Organics, The Farmer’s Cart … find out more in the conference programme.

At the same time, on Monday 7 November there is a Farmers' Market Symposium , or true conference. We looked up what ‘symposium’ meant and it fits very well (it has three meanings, one is true conference in which delegates are as involved as speakers; another is a dissemination of focused information such as in a magazine; and the third is a drinks party in ancient Greece in which participants would philosophise and debate. Although we liked the third definition very much, we thought that even saying ‘philosophise’ after a glass or two might prove difficult). The day is structured to encourage discussion, participation and even role-play all with the view to improving farmers’ markets and understanding them better.

The 8th features three streams of top-quality, practical and inspirational talks and presentations on the themes of Quality Food, Quality Time Out, and ‘The Next Big Thing’. There is also a Trade Show, highly focused with top quality products, goods and services of interest to farm retailers. The FARMA AGM takes place from 2pm. There are short, professional presentations too during the course of the afternoon which ends with An Audience with Richard Denny, management and motivation ‘guru’. In the evening, feast and unwind with the FARMA Awards Dinner and Presentations.

There’s another packed day on the 9th, beginning with a Keynote address from Lord Bach, then dividing into streams of great talks for the rest of the day; including a look at the 'wider picture' in our conference Hot Spot from Taylor Nelson Sofres. The conference ends at 4.30pm.

Click here for more details in the National Conference Brochure 2005! (plus booking details)

Click here for more details regarding the trade show (prices and layout)