Photo gallery: MA-150 business briefing

The MA150 club of the country's leading independent multiple retailers met last week for a business briefing at Belton Woods Hotel, near Grantham, Lincolnshire.​

The meeting heard from a wide range of speakers. Eddie Gershon, of Eddie Gershon Media Relations, who has overseen media relations for JD Wetherspoon for almost 20 years, gave his "Ten secrets of good public relations".

Tom Fender, founder of HIM!, which surveys thousands of pub customers every year, talked about "Ten myths of pub retailing."

Nigel Ball, senior director, lease advisory at Atisreal, JD Wetherspoon's principal advisor on rent reviews, explains how you minimise rent and rates increases.

Geoff Nicholson, of itradenetwork, talked abot the benefits of doing business online. Duncan Roberston, general manager for media strategy at the European-wide St Christopher's back pack hostel company Beds and Bars (also known as Interpub), explained how the company uses the internet to drive sales.

Chris Lewis, marketing director of Wells and Young's, talked about picking up the pace on cask beer with its major innovation on Bombardier dispense equipment.

Peter Thomas, director of Mitchells & Butlers franchised division, told members about what makes leasing a M&B pub that bit different.

Jim Fallon, who has played a key role in sector mergers and acquisitions in the past decade, looked at the state of the current pub market and forecast how things might pan out in the next few years.

Peter Backman, managing director and founder of highly-respected foodservice consultants and analysts, Horizons, provided insight into current trends and the future of the eating-out market.

Steve Haslam, founder of the TLC Group, who runs two of Enterprise Inns' busiest leased pubs. He talked about how he built million-pound turnover pubs. Ted Docherty, founder of Tailor Made Steaks, talked about his company's bespoke food offer. And Graham Wall, founder of Dragon Inns, told members how he had boosted barrelage by 40% across his estate.

Andrew Pring, editor of the Mornming Advertiser, said: "It was a well-balanced day offering a wide range of inspirational speakers and it was great to see so many members attending."

The day was finished off with a trip to a nearby karting track.