This November, Cornflower is on the road – bringing together museum and cultural retail professionals for a series of free, inspiring, practical, and interactive regional events.
We’ll be in:
- Durham – Wednesday 5 November – Radisson Blu Hotel
- Manchester – Wednesday 12 November – The Lowry
- London – Wednesday 19 November – The Arc Centre, Islington
Each day combines learning from industry leaders, sharing experiences with peers, and exploring exciting new possibilities for bespoke product development – all tailored to help make your shop a destination in its own right.
This is an excellent opportunity to get out of the office or the shop and spend time with fellow professionals in a relaxed, collaborative setting. Being in a different environment for the day gives you the space to reflect, recharge, and think creatively about your retail offer. Retail can be a lonely business, but the cultural sector is unique for its collaborative ethos, and this entirely free day is the perfect way to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and develop your business.
Places are limited so book your free place today by emailing events@cornflower.co.uk
The programme for the day includes:
10:30am – Registration & Coffee
Arrive, settle in, and start the day with a relaxed coffee and conversation with fellow delegates.
11:00am – Local Perspectives on the 2025 Retail Landscape
Hear from an industry leader, sharing first-hand experiences of trading in 2025 and their insights into the cultural retail market.
- Durham: Olivia Noakes – Visitor Centre Operations Manager, The University of Edinburgh.
- Manchester: Tony Smith – Commercial and Operations Director, The Lowry
- London: Matthew Hunt – Head of Retail, Royal Ballet & Opera
11:20am – A new perspective on Cultural Retail – Melody Caban
A former Vice President of the Museum Store Association in the USA, now a successful retail consultant in the States, Melody details the experience of museum retail in the USA and particularly the one vastly untapped market sector for museum retailers, wherever they are. An exclusive pre-recorded seminar commissioned by Cornflower.
11:45am – Panel Discussion: Local Museum Retail Voices
A group of retail specialists from cultural venues discuss current opportunities and challenges in cultural retail. Bring your questions for a lively, solutions-focused conversation.
12:30pm – Bespoke products beyond the shop – Simon Nutbrown
Drawing on Cornflower’s 26 years of experience in cultural retail, CEO of Cornflower, Simon, will share practical insights on product development and exclusive merchandise. How can those products help to make your shop a destination rather than an exit, and how can they work for you beyond the shop?
1:00pm – Networking Lunch
Enjoy a relaxed lunch while connecting with other museum and cultural retail professionals from your region.
1:45pm – Product Development Surgery
Explore Cornflower’s extensive product ranges and discuss your own ideas with our experienced account managers. Discover what’s possible for creating unique, high-quality merchandise for your shop, learning about production methods and how best to proceed to ensure commercial success!
3:00pm – Afternoon Tea & Final Conversations
3:30pm – Close
Leave with fresh product ideas, a stronger network of peers, and practical insights to take back to your shop.
