First ever BPMA Annual Conference proves a success

Over 150 delegates gathered at the Park Inn in Heathrow to attend the first BPMA Annual Conference.

The conference called ‘Building a Better Business’ took place on July 10 and was opened by industry MP and supporter of small businesses, Brian Binley.

Once the conference was opened the BPMA released the findings of the first-ever industry benchmarking study.

Attendees at the conference were the first in the industry to view the findings, which summarised that 70% believe demand for the industry is stronger than the previous year, average order values in the industry are close to £600 and 82% of distributors believe the UK promotional market is somewhat or more competitive than before.

Throughout the remainder of the day delegates enjoyed one-to-one appointments with a selection of experts who provided valuable advice or to sit in on the eight seminars that took place.

Richard Sullivan, director of Navillus Print Gifts commented: “Chas Williams in the Powerful Presentations seminar was great. It was a very compelling argument that presentations should be short, and focused on the client’s business, not your own. You can apply these ideas to work in many different situations and it is these skills I’m interested in improving.”

Christine Girven, marketing manager, SPS added: “I found the first BPMA conference really valuable. The seminar sessions have provided some great insight and the one-to-one expert sessions have been very productive. It’s good to step away from your desk for a day to learn, meet with industry peers and the return to the office full of new ideas.”

And finally Channa Madanayake, general manager of Squeezyball, said: “What a great day. I took something away with me from every session. It was a very well organised event.”

Once the conference had ended, the BPMA hosted the BPMA Building a Better Business Awards, which saw six companies awarded with brand new BPMA awards.

Gordon Glenister, director general of the BPMA said after the event: “We are delighted with the overwhelming positive response from both delegates and experts who attended the conference. This event has been in the pipeline for many years for the BPMA, and we will be announcing information reading the BPMA Annual Conference 2015 in due course.”

BPMA Building a Better Business award winners

• Ciarra Holloway, Allwag Promotions, BPMA Professional Development Student of the Year, sponsored by the BPMA Professional Development Programme
• Rainshader, BPMA Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by PSI
• Fluid Branding, BPMA Website of the Year, sponsored by Sourcing City
• The Sourcing Team, BPMA Catalogue Cover of the Year, sponsored by Print Vision
• Trade Only, BPMA Service Partner of the Year, sponsored by Incentive & Motivation
• Listawood, BPMA Employer of the Year, sponsored by Incentive & Motivation