Work continues throughout the year by committee members who often travel the length and breadth of the UK to meetings with show organisers on behalf of the membership.

Many issues are discussed which help to smooth the path of the exhibitor member and this process also raises the  profile of the association as a whole.

Regular meetings are held during the show season usually at the major events. All members present are encouraged to attend and actively participate in discussion and debate, this is the prime opportunity for committee members to obtain the mood of the membership at large and discuss individual problems. There are normally six of these meetings each year three for nurserymen and three for sundries men although any member is welcome at any or all of these these days we sometimes have mixed meeting so nurserymen and sundries members can meet and exchange ideas.

Each November the Association holds it Annual Lunch and  AGM which is well attended with a cross section of members, at this event we have many show organisers who display information about  their shows along with them we have preferred suppliers who support us in many different ways. The annual lunch is a great way to enjoy a social occasion away from the shows where ideas can be exchanged we sometimes have an after lunch speaker to entertain or in 2008 we had a light hearted quiz with the winning table receiving a small prize each.

Benefit of Membership
The most common question from a prospective member is "What will the Association do for me?"

Apart from all the general efforts of the committee as already outlined we have some specific advantages to members we have an advantageous credit card processing agreement we also have a deal in place with a fuel card company that can help member save money we also manage the Virtual Flower Show which is free to all members to have space, we have negotiated special discount for exhibitors at Southport Flower and hope to Include many more shows  throughout the year in this offer. We hold seminars which are kept to a minimum cost to members and these have covered many topics including marketing, mail order, selling at shows and PR. We publish a quarterly newsletter keeping members updated with all the latest news and now we have this web site that members can use.

We are always looking for ideas to assist members so if you have any ideas please let us know
In 2009 we introduced buy with confidence scheme along side our from my nursery to your garden scheme promoting home grown plants

Kelvin Harbutt