Shropshire delegates attend the Annual Conference of the Association of Shows and Agricultural Organisations
Delegates from Shropshire joined more than 100 people from across the country at an annual conference in a bid to “raise the baa” at agricultural shows in 2012.
The Annual Conference of the Association of Shows and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO) was hosted by Westmorland County Agricultural Society, principal sponsor Archant Life, and entitled “Raising the Baa”.
As well as discussing a number of key issues and hot topics, the delegates went through the rigours and challenges posed by an outdoor activity challenge designed to promote communication and problem solving – key qualities of any show secretary.
Mary Hopkins, of the Shropshire County Agricultural Show, who attended along with Claire Farrell, of the Newport Show and Mandy Roberts, of the Oswestry Show, said: “HRH The Countess of Wessex GCVO, Vice Patron of the Royal Bath and West of England Society, attended a portion of the conference, giving an insightful, knowledgeable and very supportive speech at the dinner, proving her understanding and commitment to what all the shows are striving to do and their crucial role in bringing town and countryside into closer harmony and understanding.
"Delegates were mindful of the current economic situation which is causing concern, but there was a positive feeling that because of the focussed attention that show societies are giving to attracting and giving added value to their exhibitors on both the trade and the livestock side that the shows will weather the current storm better than other sectors.
“Thorny issues such as Health and Safety and avoiding visitor ill health at shows were faced head on, with detailed notes and guidance given by key advisors from government agencies and other external professional bodies. Communication and promotion were also high on the agenda, with a number of excellent workshops leading on advertising, social networking and talking to the press topped off by a session on reaching the right audience by the end of which the tweets were flying, blowing the cobwebs away from the older fashioned perceptions of the industry.”
The ASAO Council meets three times a year and in the past twelve months the organisation has strengthened the support networks for all members considerably.
The next event for ASAO is an intensive training day in February 2012 aimed at all levels of show staff which will cover membership and social networking and marketing. Anyone interested should look on the website www.asao.co.uk.
