The theme for the 2024 conference is ‘Markets of Today and Tomorrow’ as we return to the Doubletree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa; a most popular venue for our AGM and Conference This year we have mid-week dates of 25 – 26 September.

NABMA is again delighted to announce and welcome Vitabri, as our conference sponsor for a third year. Vitabri is renowned for its high-quality products, designed and produced in France.

To recognise the support from NABMA members in committing further to membership we have held all member delegate fees as per 2023. We hope you will take advantage of this offer.

Last year our Conference theme was markets at the crossroads. This year, we will consider the various directions now being taken by markets as they continue to encounter the economic problems from within society generally, and the performance of their high streets. We will also look at the financial difficulties being created from local and national government funding with markets as a discretionary service.

Some markets have a vision and a plan; some are benefiting from being part of government support initiatives; but for others the future remains unclear. So, appreciating these circumstances, it is perhaps reasonable to have an opinion that we understand what markets in 2024 are now facing – but what is their future, and that of the industry and NABMA itself to be?

Will the many platitudes that markets receive from government and high street partners continue to be meaningless, or will they be converted into some tangible reward?

Will markets really be a part of the revival and regeneration of town and city centres and, if so, what will their role be?

Our challenge with the NABMA national campaign,  #MarketsFirst, and as an industry, is to continue to create the discussions, drive change, secure recognition and, importantly safeguard a future for UK markets. Markets of today and their traders, operators and national organisations have a huge collective responsibility to ensure that there are markets of the future. Our conference theme aims to facilitate that discussion.

Can you afford not to be part of the discussion at Harrogate as market professionals come together to learn, network, share experiences and look at a new vision for the markets industry?