Worthing based Advantage Member, Willsmer Wagg took the top prize of Group Member of The Year at the recent Advantage Catalogue Launch and awards Dinner. Managing Director Debbie Willsmer took to the floor to thank all the suppliers who had voted for her company, a founder Advantage Member, although having been runner’s up in previous year’s, this is the first time that they have won the top prize. From the audience reaction, it appeared that this was a hugely popular outcome.  Willsmer Wagg were closely followed by two Highly Commended positions which went to last year’s winners, Outstanding Branding and The Sourcing Team. Stay Sourced from Leeds were awarded the Commended position.

Best Use of Advantage Web site was awarded to Camino Promotions and collected by a clearly delighted owner Russ Platt.

Catalogue Cover of the Year was voted for by Advantage Members, with the Promotional Works,

headed up by Richard Andrews, taking the top spot.

In the Group Supplier of the Year sector, SPS were outright winners with Diane Anderton and Neeta Varia on hand to jointly collect their award. Again, two companies shared the Highly Commended position, these being PF Concept and Senator Pens. The Commended position was also shared with Laltex Promo and Listawood picking up the awards. It was quite a night for industry Account Manager and songstress Leann Howard, not only picking up an Award with Laltex, but she also enthralled the crowd with a couple of songs at dinner which were greeted with huge applause from the attending 115 diners!

A special Award was also presented to the retiring Sue Schroder of Crystal Galleries from Advantage, as thanks for her services to the Group over the last 14 years. (she has been with her company for 19 years) We wish her a long and happy retirement.

On the sporting side of matters, the Advantage Golf Challenge was won by Ryan Brown of The Umbrella Company at his first attempt, and he also won longest drive! Runner up was Ceri Jones of The Carole Group.   Nearest the pin was won by the only lady player, Trish Curtis.

The golf day was kindly organised by Richard Curtis of Corporate Executive Gifts.

Day two of the event started with the Members meeting where Lawrence Angelow presented the new 2014/15 catalogue. The popular feature of Speed Pitching returned, with 10 companies given just 2 minutes each to pitch their company, products or processes, or whatever they felt relevant, to the Members. This, as always, proved a challenge with a few beads of sweat being spent by the presenters!

Bpma’s Gordon Glenister and Pinky Van Lare were also invited to present a slot on Promotional Products Week before the meeting wrapped up and went on to the Product Showcase, where over 40 Suppliers were eagerly awaiting to engage with the assembled Advantage Members for a 4 hour exhibition.

Reflecting on the event, a tired but happy Lawrence Angelow, Advantage Director, said:

A brilliant 2 days for our Members and Suppliers who really engaged more than ever to talk meaningful business. There was a great buzz around the place again this year, a really positive atmosphere, and of course we were helped by the best weather of the year so far!