Pushing Parks Forward conference programme announced

GreenSpace’s next conference, Pushing Parks Forward, focuses on marketing parks. It takes place on Tuesday 20 November 2007 at The Royal Armouries, Leeds, and is supported by IPGS and Leeds City Council.

Paul Bramhill, Chief Executive of GreenSpace, said “Marketing parks is about far more than just promotion; it’s about providing the parks that people want in the way that they want them.

“Pushing Parks Forward will focus on the varied skills and techniques required to successfully market and raise awareness of parks and green spaces.”

Presentations will include:

Understanding park users
Denise Preston, Chief Recreation Officer, Leeds City Council
Finding out what customers want from their parks is an essential first stage of developing a marketing strategy. Denise Preston will discuss the importance of market research, explore different research methods and advise on how to interpret and use the data that is gathered to improve park services.

More than pamphlets and posters
Jane Greenaway, Marketing Officer, Bristol City Council
Marketing parks is about more than just promotion. Jane Greenaway will present Bristol City Council’s holistic approach to marketing, explaining the importance of embedding marketing in green space strategies and providing the type of park service that customers want.

Spinning parks
Tony Leach, Director, London Parks and Green Spaces Forum
Being aware of government agendas and using the right language to align the benefits of parks with government priorities is a useful skill for park managers. Tony Leach will discuss ways of engaging with politicians to make a case for parks.

Engaging with the media
Kate Lowe, Editor, Horticulture Week
A good relationship with the trade press can prove invaluable in getting good publicity for your parks. Kate Lowe will reveal what makes a good story and advise on how to work to maximise media impact.

A range of workshops will look at topics including the role of park events, using Green Flag as a marketing tool, getting the most out of visitor feedback and branding parks. Delegates will also have the opportunities to undertake site tours to two Leeds parks.