FARMA Announces 2016 Conference

The event will open with a three-way debate on customer loyalty and advice on how to create sticky customers, hosted by Philip Graves, author and retail psychologist, Jonathan Winchester of Shopper Anonymous and Nigel Bogle of Lakeland Computer Services, before Tim Bennett, chair of the Food Standards Agency, will answer questions directly from the floor – email your questions to info@farma.co.uk.

A butchery competition and showcase of the best practical butchers from farm shops across the UK will be taking place on 1st March, supported by AHDB Beef and Lamb. Michael Richardson, direct retail specialist of AHDB Beef and Lamb will be available to answer questions.

Also, four case studies will be showcased: Farndon Fields, The Store, Hartley and Darts Farm.

Sally Jackson, chair of FARMA said, “Last year’s conference was a huge success, everyone left feeling re-energised and brimming with ideas. The new intimate feel to the event mixed with professional chairmanship from the amazing Susie Emmett and standout speakers such as the Food Futurologist gave the FARMA committee lots to think about for the 2016 event.
The 2016 event builds on the best parts. Susie is back in the chairman’s role, the expert retailers discussion panel is back with for amazing shops in the hot seat including Darts and Farndon Fields, the retail tours heading out to businesses such as The Ice Cream Farm and Bodnant Welsh Food, the butchery competition but also added a few new exciting elements.”

A 2015 attendee said, “This was our second year at the FARMA conference, and yet again we were blown away with how much relevant information was packed into 3 days; so much so that when I got home I slept all afternoon to rest my head. I cannot possibly fit into this email everything that we took from the conference.”