Equestrian Trade Invited to 2011 BETA Conference

An exciting line-up of industry experts is set to appear at the 2011 BETA Conference, at The Belfry, near Birmingham, on Monday 17 October – and all members of the equestrian trade are invited to attend.

Delegates will be informed and inspired by a wide range of presentations ranging from online marketing to visual merchandising. The carefully designed programme includes lunch and refreshments, and plenty of prime networking opportunities. Speakers have been carefully selected by BETA to reflect a cross-section of sectors and subjects.

Tim Hadaway will be taking a break from his preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. As the organising committee’s sport competition manager for equestrian events at the Games, he has been heavily involved in running a test event, the CIC** Greenwich Park Invitational, and will include feedback from this in his presentation. The opportunities that the Olympics bring to the equestrian industry will also be explored.

Julia Andrews, managing director of Kate Negus Saddlery, has many years’ experience as a buyer and visual merchandiser, and has been responsible for shop fitting and development for Wadswick Country Store. Her presentation will focus on visual merchandising for saddlery stores and is aimed at both retailer and supplier.

Laura Coffey, an investigation executive at the Advertising Standards Authority, will explain the role of the ASA and explore subjects such as misleading advertising, comparative adverts and the type of substantiation and evidence needed to make health claims.

Robin and Louella Hanbury-Tenison will talk about their “Seven Long Rides Around the World”. In 1984, the explorer and his wife rode two white Camargue horses back from the South of France to their farm on Bodmin Moor, in Cornwall. The BBC made a film about it and Robin wrote the first of his “Long Ride” books.

Charlie Brookes, Bauer Media group commercial director, aims to demystify digital advertising to prove that it doesn’t need to be prohibitively expensive to add real value to most marketing plans.

“The BETA Conference is the ideal opportunity for all members of the equestrian trade community to gather and enjoy knowledgeable and thought-provoking presentations and discussion in a pleasant environment and easily accessible location,” said BETA executive director Claire Williams. “We have made sure that this year’s conference takes place a whole week after the Horse of the Year Show to make attending as easy as possible for potential delegates”.

The conference begins at 9am and finishes at about 3.30pm. The BETA AGM (for BETA members only) is from 9.30 to 10.15am, followed by the first presentation at 10.30am.
Delegates can make the most of The Belfry’s three 18-hole golf courses by booking a pre-conference overnight stay with dinner. For further information and conference rates, or to book a place, contact Tina Rogers, telephone 01937 587062 or email tinar@beta-int.com