On 16th September, BPMA patrons met at the prestigious Carlton Club – the original ‘home’ of the Conservative party in London and was chaired by Member of Parliament Brian Binley. Although this was a formal event, there were still streaks of the Promotional products Rock! theme throughout the evening.

Patrons were treated to a promotional Products Rocks! dessert while having one of the liveliest debates ever, including end user engagement and the role the supply chain should play within this. A widely held view was that everyone should play their part at educating end users with suppliers working with distributors to enable this to happen. There was a review of the exhibitions in the market and discussion on what was working and what the industry needs and the part the BPMA should play within that.

Also discussed was whether new members to the BPMA should undergo some formal training before accreditation is granted. The outcome was that the BPMA and the Patrons and regional ambassadors should reinforcing the importance of members utilising the current free place they receive on the Professional development programme.
Viv Blumfield also announced that it was her last Patron’s dinner as she formally steps down in October as Chairman. Viv commented “I can’t believe that my two years have gone so quickly and I am so proud to have taken the role of Chair and achieved all we have.” She thanked all her fellow Board Directors, some of which were present at the dinner who have given up their time to support the Trade Association.

Due to take over as Chairman in October at the AGM will be South West Distributor Matt Franks who is Managing Director of Fluid Branding.
Matt commented, “I am truly delighted to be helping build on all the great work my fellow Board Directors and Secretariat have been doing over the last few years. The BPMA is in great shape and we have lots of plans to take it even further forward.”

Patrons attending the dinner were Sue Tugman from Brunel Trade Services, Phil Morgan from SPS, Nic Taylor form Dowlis, Malcolm Stephenson from Impression Europe, Clive Allcot from Essential Embroidery, Mandy Hastie from Liquid Lens, Gavin Mooney form IGO Post, Doug Burwell from Arcadia, Mick Humphries from The TC Group, Matt Franks from Fluid Branding, Stuart Myers from LRG International and Angela Wagstaff from Allwag Promotions. BPMA Director General Gordon Glenister and BPMA President Neal Beagles from Roantree Incentive Marketing also attending the eventing alongside Viv Blumfield, BPMA Chairman and Brian Binley MP.

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Published on: September 21st, 2014