BPMA News May 2009

The Workwear & Corporate Clothing Show took place on 1-2nd April at the NEC headlined by a top Fashion show and sponsored by apparel giant Russell Europe. The show was supported by the "Sustainability conference" The conference was chaired by head of Uniform at Virgin Atlantic, Karen Sparrow and included presentations from leading experts including Martin Cooke from the Ethical Trading Initiative. Wednesday night was climaxed by the Business Manager Awards hosted by top designer Jeff Banks.

Winners

Corporatewear winner was Tina Milton for Easyjet Airlines by The Wensum Company plc, Workwear winner was Bob Taylor for Royal Mail by Dimensions and Personal Protective winner was Kate Salesse for Greater Manchester Police by Microgard. Next year the show moves to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

The Promotional exhibition market was held at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London 24th-26th March. Over 1500 visitors came to the show. Seminars were supported by Legal expert Philip Circus, discussed some of the restrictions on sales promotion in Europe Sophie Howe, Director, Tomato Source, covered Promotional Product Sourcing â€" Best Practice for ensuring Quality, Safety & Compliance, Brian Gibb, Director, VCG The PromoRisk People Sales Promotion in the credit crunch â€" how to drive sales at point of purchase using fixed fee expertise to manage the financial risk and Gordon Glenister Director General discussed the power of promotional merchandise. Copies of these presentations are available by emailing simon@pmexhibition.co.uk

The bpma has launched a nationwide hunt for the next best promotional product. The competition has been sponsored by post it note manufacturer 3M, and only students studying design in the UK can apply. Gordon Glenister Director General of the bpma commented, we are always asked what the next promotional product is and so we decided to create a competition to reach out to the nations creative talent to see what they come up. A recent visit to Loughborough University impressed me enormously as to what these young people are capable of stated Glenister. The competition closes at the end of June 2009 and the winning young designer will receive £2500 in prize money as well as a chance to have their product made to full scale production . For more information visit www.bpma-student-design.co.uk

Training and education remains high on the bpma academy with a number of courses coming up in May, including Business Owner Workshop on the 28th May aimed at a more strategic look at developing promotional businesses for the future, Selling on the Phone 7th May in Ireland and 10th June in London and Customer Care 27th May in Bristol and 8th September in London. Jo Saidie the bpma endorsed trainer has developed a number of tailormade courses to promotional gift houses and suppliers

The bpma is continuing to bring on new members despite the downturn. Gordon Glenister commented, This is a difficult time for many of our members and we are doing all we can to support them. I will be running a number of business breakfast workshops free of charge for members and encouraging potential new members to come along. The first at Sourcing City on the 28rd April and the Second at BTC Activewear in Birmingham on Friday 1st May.