Pet firms will get the chance to find out more about future export opportunities at the Future for International Trade Conference, jointly organised by PetQuip at the Stratford Manor Hotel on March 17.
The agenda for the event has been confirmed, together with its keynote speaker, Shelley Boyle, Head of Business Development at online retailer, ManoMano.
This popular event is sponsored by three of the leading trade associations in the garden and leisure, pet product and home enhancement sectors – Gardenex, PetQuip and BHETA – and this year special measures are being put in place to ensure the venue and the day’s activities are Covid-safe.
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Introductions
Opening Speaker
John Arnold - UK Government Lobbyist
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Export Procedures and Compliance – Where are we now?
Tim Hiscock - Strong & Herd
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Worldwide Economic Forecast
Olivia Merrick - Rathbones
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There will then be a Q&A with speakers, chaired by the Director General of Gardenex and PetQuip, Amanda Sizer Barrett, followed by refreshments and a networking ‘Ask the Experts’ session before the morning concludes with two further speakers:
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Legalities of International Trade for Businesses
Andy Hood - Fieldfisher
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World Retail Trends
Miles Agbanrin – CP Euromonitor International
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Lunch and further networking with 'Ask the Experts' will be followed in the afternoon by a series of six export case studies, together with a Q&A session with the speakers, chaired by Will Jones, BHETA’s Chief Operating Officer.
The case studies will be presented by exporters from the houseware, gardening, DIY and pet product sectors:
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John Langford – Croydex
Jonathan Collier – Monument Tools
Steve Turner – Spear & Jackson
Dan Robson – Grow Sow Simple
Ben Braithwaite- ChickenGuard
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The afternoon break will be followed by the keynote address from Shelley Boyle of ManoMano. The conference closes at 5.15 pm.
Director General of Gardenex and PetQuip, Amanda Sizer Barrett confirmed: “The Future for International Trade conference is always a lively and informative occasion focussing on retail trends in international markets, the practicalities of export logistics, compliance and the inspiring case studies by some of the UK’s leading exporters. It’s all about helping UK companies navigate their best routes to secure international sales, especially in a changed world post-Brexit and with the ongoing impact of the pandemic.”
BHETA’s Chief Operating Officer, Will Jones commented, “There is already significant industry interest in this top-level export conference thanks to the quality of the agenda and the insights, inspiration and practical advice that the speakers will give delegates. As joint organisers and sponsors, BHETA, Gardenex and Petquip are working with the venue to ensure that all necessary safeguards are put in place vis a vis Covid to ensure that the conference is secure and both speakers and delegates can enjoy it with confidence.”
Places at the conference can be obtained by contacting any of the organisers. Contact Gardenex or PetQuip by emailing katie-mai@petquip.com; or visit www.gardenex.com. Contact BHETA by emailing zm@bheta.co.uk or visit www.bheta.co.uk. Members of Gardenex, PetQuip, CHA and BHETA can secure a preferential delegate rate of £69 per person at the conference. The event is also open to non-members at £149 per person (both plus VAT).
The Future for International Trade Conference will be operating as a Covid -secure event and all guests are required to provide a Covid vaccination certificate (downloadable from the NHS app https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/) prior to arrival. Anyone unable to provide a certificate in advance will need to provide evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test (taken no more than 24 hours before the event) on arrival at the venue. This policy will be updated as necessary in line with any change to Government guidelines.
